Free The Secret of the Soldier's Gold by Franklin W. Dixon

possible?”
    â€œYes, it’s possible because Europeans don’t change things as much as Americans do,” Isabel said. “We have buildings here in Lisbon that are several hundred years old. We’d never think of tearing them down to build new ones, like you sometimes do in the United States.”
    â€œThat’s good for us,” Frank said. He turned off the flashlight. “Let’s take a look around and see ifthe rest of the backyard is the same as it was during World War II.”
    The three of them slowly moved away from the bushes and walked deeper into the backyard, but they kept as close to the fence, the trees, and the shrubs as possible just in case they needed to dash for cover.
    Frank had memorized the map that Frau Rilke had drawn for them. Both the moonlight and the security lighting helped them to see where they were going.
    â€œIf I’m reading the map correctly,” Frank said, “the suitcase is buried between two rosebushes toward the far end of the backyard.”
    â€œThat’s the way I read it too,” Joe whispered.
    Just then Frank thought he heard voices nearby, so the three of them took cover behind the closest bush. But it turned out to be just an elderly couple taking a stroll on the sidewalk that was adjacent to the fence.
    Finally the teens made it to the rear of the backyard. Once again Frank turned on the flashlight so he could see the map.
    â€œThe rear of the fence is here, these bushes and shrubs are here,” Frank said, pointing to the paper, “and right here, between these two rosebushes, is where Herr Fleissner buried the suitcase.” He pointed to the X on the map. “I think we’re standing on the spot.”
    Joe set the canvas bag down on the ground. “We need to get started. We don’t have any time to waste.”
    Frank pointed the flashlight at the ground between the two rosebushes. Joe unfolded the shovel and started digging.
    â€œI get a turn too,” Isabel said. “I stay in shape, so I can dig.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Isabel,” Frank said with a grin. “We’ll give you a turn!”
    â€œThis ground is as hard as a rock,” Joe said after he had been digging for about fifteen minutes. “I should have brought some gloves. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that. I’ve already got a blister on one of my hands.”
    â€œLet me dig for a while,” Isabel said.
    Joe handed her the shovel. “Be my guest,” he said.
    Isabel dug for another fifteen minutes, but they had moved only a few inches of soil.
    â€œIf I didn’t know better,” Isabel said, “I’d think we were trying to dig through concrete.”
    â€œLet me have a turn,” Frank said. He handed the flashlight to Joe.
    After fifteen more minutes Frank had made a little progress, but they still weren’t down far enough to reach a suitcase that had been buried years ago. “I think the ground’s getting softer, though,” Frank said as he once again handed the shovel to Joe.
    â€œHow much time do you think we have before the dogs wake up?” Isabel asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Frank said. “I didn’t check the directions on the bottle, because I didn’t think we’d have to worry about the lasting power of the pills.”
    â€œWe’ve been here for over an hour. We’re getting close to the limit, I think,” Joe said. He put his left foot on the shovel and pushed it into the earth. “You’re right, Frank! It’s definitely softer now.”
    Joe felt he was suddenly making progress, so he began shoveling as fast as he could.
    After about ten minutes the shovel struck something hard. “I think we’ve found it!” Joe said. Using his hands, he brushed away some of the dirt. “It looks like the side of a metal suitcase.” He stood up and started shoveling the soil away from the edges