“Why, from the d’rection in which all the dogs and cats and birds and cows and I reckon everything that’s able to get away, is movin’.” 

 The boys laughed heartily at Uncle Sim’s statement and Grant said, “But, Uncle Sim, you know we are the Go Ahead boys.” 

 “Yas, suh. Yas, suh, I reckon I’s somewhat familar with dat ar fac’.” 

 “Uncle Sim, have you ever been in the Meeker House?” spoke up Grant abruptly. 

 For a moment the old negro was silent as he stared blankly at the boys. Shaking his head he said, “What fo’ yo’ ask me that question?” 

 “Because I want to know,” said Grant. 

 “No, suh. I ain’t never been inside the Meeker House, but I’s been so close dat I could hear what was er goin’ on.” 

 “Why, what is going on there?” inquired Fred. “The house seemed to me to be deserted. Does any one live there?” 

 “No, suh. No, suh, no one lives dar. Leastwise, no one live dar in the daytime.” 

 “Who lives there at night?” inquired Fred. 

 Once more the negro was silent and it was evident that the boy’s question had aroused certain feelings in the heart of Uncle Sim. 

 “Yo’ all better take my advice,” said the old negro, shaking his head in a still more solemn manner. “Yo’ better keep away from de Meeker House.” 

 “Why?” inquired John. 

 “No good comes to anybody dat goes to the Meeker House in the night time.” 

 “But how do you know, Uncle Sim? You say you have never been there?” 

 “Yo’ all keep away from dar. Min’ what I tell you. Don’t none o’ you’ boys go near dat old Meeker House after sundown.” 

 “But you make us want to go all the more,” said Grant. 

 Uncle Sim merely shook his head and made no further comment. It was plain, however, that he was seriously troubled by the statement of Grant and that he was sincere in his warning. 

 “I say, fellows,” called Fred quickly, “why don’t we go over to the Meeker 

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