more unexpected than any which as yet had been heard by the Go Ahead boys in the old Meeker House. 

    

CHAPTER IV—FLIGHT

  

 There had been a moment of intense silence which was sharply broken by a long whistling sound, that seemed to come from some place directly behind the spot where the boys were standing. This sound was followed by a prolonged sigh and this in turn was abruptly ended when out of the darkness there came a call, “F-r-e-d! Fred Button!” The call was in a low tone but coming as it did after the startling events which had occurred was almost more than Fred was able to bear. His nerves were unstrung and without a word he turned and swiftly made for the door, which fortunately had been left open. 

 Nor had Fred been long out of the house before he was joined by his companions. George, who previously had gone around to the rear door, came as quickly as John and Grant. 

 For a brief time the boys assembled under the branches of a huge cherry tree that was growing in one corner of the yard. 

 “What do you make of that?” demanded George. “I told you you might hear something about Fagan and the Cowboys if you went into that old Meeker House.” 

 “It wasn’t what I heard about them that troubled me,” retorted Fred. “It was when I heard my own name called.” 

 “Honest?” demanded George. 

 “Yes, sir. You ask the other fellows. Somebody right behind me called ‘Fred.’ ‘Fred Button.’ I was standing where I could see straight through the window and I am perfectly sure there wasn’t anybody there. If you’ll tell me how the thing was done I’ll be much obliged to you.” 

 “It wasn’t done at all,” laughed George. “You were just dreaming. It’s one of those attacks of nightmare that you have some times. Don’t you remember when we were at Mackinac,[1] how one night we had to throw some cold water in your face to make you wake up?” 

 “I guess that was the same night,” retorted Fred, “when I had to administer condign and physical chastisement to you, you were kicking so in the bed.” 

 “Yes, I have a very vivid recollection of that part of that night.” 

 “Almost as vivid as you have of to-night,” laughed George. 

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