An hour later the little party moving along the Fort Washington road might have been seen to steal quietly through the gateway leading up to the half ruined mansion once the home of old Jeremiah Mansfield, known as the Three Oaks. The night was cold and cheerless--the wind sighed mournfully among the trees of the park-like inclosure--not a star was to be seen in the clouded sky. Pursuing their way up the avenue, the boys came suddenly upon the house itself, standing half ruined and deserted among the overshadowing trees. It was not without feelings of emotion that Frank Mansfield gazed upon it. Many and many were the pleasant hours spent within the old mansion during the more prosperous days of his boyhood--days not to be forgotten so long as he lived. And if that prosperity could be but in a measure restored? If the name of his dead father, to say nothing of his own, could but be cleared before the world? 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. "What! diga for golda?" exclaimed Garibaldi, in surprise. "That's the size of it, boys, and it belongs to me by rights. How, it would take too long to explain; but help me out, and I promise that you shall have your share." "You beta we willa!" cried the little Italian, throwing aside his jacket and seizing one of the spades. "Showa whera diga, I finda him, donta forget it." Sandy likewise gave full assent.