quickly, “What’s that? What’s that?” 

 There was a noise of flying wings in the room before them, but not one of the boys was able to see any of the winged creatures. Back and forth they flew, the unseen birds, their wings noisily flapping and their cries steadily increasing in volume. 

 Startled as all the boys were by the unexpected sound they withdrew to the porch in front of the door and in whispers talked over the best plan for them to follow. 

 “I say we go ahead,” said Grant at last. “We don’t want to be scared out by a little thing like this.” 

 “That’s all right,” agreed Fred. “You’re so bold, I’ll let you go ahead. I shall be satisfied to-night to be one of the go behind boys. I’m not afraid,” he hastily added when Grant laughed derisively. “I’ll follow you wherever you dare lead. Now then start if you want to.” 

 No more was said and slowly and silently the boys once more entered the room into which the door directly opened. 

 This time again when only a few steps had been taken, by a common impulse they stopped and Fred whispered, “Where is George?” 

 “He’s somewhere around here,” whispered Grant in reply. 

 “But I don’t see him or hear him,” declared Fred. “We ought to find out what has happened.” 

 “Oh, he’s all right,” said John confidently. “Come on, let’s go ahead.” 

 “We haven’t any light,” suggested Fred. 

 “We’ll have one pretty soon. That’s probably what George has gone for,” whispered John. “He’ll be back in a minute.” 

 “I don’t believe we had better try to go any farther. A good many of these old houses have steps from one room to another. I don’t want Fred to fall and break his neck.” 

 “Don’t you worry about my——” began Fred, but he stopped abruptly when suddenly the shutters in the room directly over their head banged noisily against the side of the house. At the same time the sound of the flying creatures in the room was heard again and as if to make matters worse a sound very like a groan came from the stairway. The weird interruption was followed by a wild laugh that came from the same stairway and a moment later the confusion was increased by a sound 

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