Nothing, hitherto, in his life could explain the marvel, but Gratz, with trained certainty, knew that he gazed upon the disk of a dark lantern which, exposing all else to view, shielded, with its distracting flash, the object of this midnight quest. With an assurance that indicated a definite purpose, the figure at last stood within the door of the coal bin. At once the searching gleam began to dance hither and thither upon the floor, and finally, with unerring pause, fell directly upon the heap of glittering coin. "Ah!" exclaimed a voice. In its concentrated emphasis there was the unmistakable accent of certitude, of expectation gratified. The next instant the light was placed upon the floor with a tilt that sent its rays upon the treasure, and the unknown began to collect the gold with oblivious haste and bestow it in some receptacle near-by. Suddenly Robert felt his companion move forward noiselessly, at the same time he recognized the intimation of a detaining hand; and then he stood alone. Scarcely had he adjusted himself to these startling conditions when he heard a sharp, metallic snap, and beheld a sudden flood of light directed upon the kneeling figure. There was a cry of desperate amazement, the quick clink of scattering coin, and the next instant a wild, rage-distorted face shot into view. "My God!" cried Robert. It was the Sepoy! "Hands up!" commanded a voice which the young man recognized as that of Gratz; "hands up, or you are a dead man. There are five bullets in reserve for you if you budge from where you stand." With an imprecation that was charged with malignant venom, the Sepoy looked upon the gleaming barrel of a pistol which was advancing into the light, recognized his helplessness, and with snarling obedience elevated his arms in the air. "Robert!" called Gratz. The young man, trembling, hurried to the opening. "Get behind me," directed Gratz; "put your hand in my coat pocket; you'll find a pair of bracelets there for our friend here." With shaking hands Robert followed these sharply delivered instructions, and withdrew a set of handcuffs, gaping at the fastenings to receive a pair of guilty wrists. "Now move around to the rear of this gentleman," continued the relentless Gratz, "and snap them on his wrists." Somehow Robert managed to obey these commands. He reached to the uplifted hands of the Sepoy, embraced his wrists with the handcuffs, and closed them with a snap. (To be continued on Bosom No. 2, Series C.) Unknown to himself, Dennis, stimulated by the lively succession of incidents, had spurred his enunciation in a racy adjustment to these animated conditions.