"I know both of you have done a lot for us in this mess," he said. "If it hadn't been for you we wouldn't even have Jackley's story to go on." "We're only sorry it didn't work out as we hoped, Perry," Frank said. "We thought that would clear the whole thing up. Instead, it seems to have involved your father deeper than ever." "It wasn't your fault." "Perhaps something will turn up yet. Joe and I aren't going to lie down on the job now. There isn't much we can do, but we'll have our eyes open for more clues--if there are any." Perry Robinson shrugged his shoulders disspiritedly. "I guess there isn't much use now," he said. "But I appreciate it of you." When he went away, the Hardy boys watched him going down the front walk. His carefree stride was gone, and instead he walked mechanically, as though in a daze. "What a fine pair of detectives we are!" exclaimed Frank, in sudden disgust. "If we had been any good at all we could have got those clues soon enough for dad to have caught Jackley in time." "No use worrying about that now," replied his brother. "It was just the way things happened." "Well, there's one thing left. We must find that loot!" "Haven't we tried?" "Yes, but we can try some more. We've just _got_ to clear Mr. Robinson. And there's only the one way. We must find the loot!" It was a dull, gloomy day, indicative of rain, and this did not add to the boys' spirits. To ease their feelings the brothers took a walk, and quite unconsciously their steps took them in the vicinity of Tower Mansion. "Let's have a squint at the old place from the outside," suggested Joe. "Don't let Adelia see you, or she'll come after you with a broomstick," chuckled Frank. "Gee, but she's a tartar!" They walked into the grounds. It was growing darker now and they easily made their way among the trees and bushes to the vicinity of the rambling mansion. They gazed up at the old tower questioningly. "Some puzzle," was Frank's comment. "Will the case of The Tower Treasure ever be solved?" "Search me!" was his brother's slangy answer. "Perhaps--oh, Frank, look!" he added suddenly. He was gazing at the upper windows of the old stone tower. He had seen a strange flash of light. Now this flash was followed by another. "That's queer," muttered Frank. "What can it mean?" The light disappeared, then of a sudden it flashed out and downward in the direction of the lads. "Must be looking for us!" gasped Joe, and started to get behind a bush. "It's Adelia--and she has a big flashlight," came, a moment later, from Frank. "What do you know about that!" "She's looking for the treasure herself!" cried Joe. "Huh! And after all she said about our looking being nothing but foolishness!" They saw the woman gaze out of the window for a few seconds. In one hand she held the flashlight. For a moment she turned the light into her own face, and the boys saw there a look of utter disgust. "Didn't find it, I'll bet a cookie!" chuckled Joe.