The finding of this money would place a powerful weapon against the enemies surrounding him at once in his hands.
No wonder that his soul burned with impatience to grasp it. That he ought not to have moved in the matter without first consulting Detective Hook he instinctively felt, and yet——
But the impatience of youth is proverbial—than that no more need be said.
Familiar with the premises from boyhood, Frank, making no effort to enter the house by the regular way, and conducting his companions to the rear of the building, removed without difficulty a small window sash set in the wall close to the ground.
A moment later the four boys stood in the great cellar beneath Three Oaks, gazing about them by the light of a lantern which he carried in his hand.
It was festooned with cobwebs and green with mold. The floor was littered with boxes, old barrels, and rubbish of every sort.
Frank, setting the lantern upon a box, turned to Sandy and Garibaldi, who, not having been informed as to the nature of the undertaking in which they had engaged, were looking about them in a decidedly mystified way.
Barney he had taken into confidence, leaving him to tell the other "bats" what he pleased.
Having now reached the scene of their labors, however, it seemed necessary to make some explanation to these boys, who had come willingly with Barney to help him, and he accordingly briefly informed them of what he was about to do.
The eyes of the two boys open wildly.