The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House Part 14

"Go ahead, Fred," called George sharply. "What do you mean?"

"Why you heard the tooting of that horn in the old Meeker House the same as I did," said Fred.

"You think the car is in that old house?" demanded Grant.

"I didn't say so," said Fred, "but I do say that the horn that belongs to George's car is in that old house, or else the horn that is there is so like it that you couldn't tell them apart."

George laughed quietly and said, "Next thing, Fred, you'll be telling us that the spooks stole the car."

"I'm not so sure that they didn't," said Fred.

"If they did, then what we'll find in the old Meeker House will be only the ghost of the car, I'm afraid."

Conversation ceased and at every garage along the road George stopped and made inquiries concerning the missing automobile.

It was late in the afternoon when the Go Ahead boys turned homeward. Not an inkling had they received of the stolen car. Several times they had been informed that "A good many cars of late have been stolen," but the knowledge brought neither comfort nor light.

"George," suggested Fred, "suppose we go home by the road where the old Meeker House is."

George smiled dryly as he replied, "All right. The way is as short if I turn in there as in any other way. What are you looking for, the ghost of the lost automobile?"

Fred shook his head and did not reply, but when at last in the dusk they drew near the place where the mysterious old house was standing, all were convinced that they heard a faint sound of an automobile horn coming from the place.

CHAPTER XII-A HASTY DEPARTURE

As the speed of the automobile was instantly decreased, Fred said excitedly, "Stop, George! I say it is time for us to find out about this thing and quit all our foolishness."

"What do you want to do?" demanded George.

"I want to go into that old house and find out just what all this mystery means."

"I don't dare leave the car," said George.

"Then you stay here and look after it," retorted Fred. "Grant and I will make our own inspections, won't we?" he added as he turned to his companion.

Grant did not speak, but as he quickly leaped out of the car his example was at once followed by Fred and together the two boys started toward the house, the dim outline of which could be seen before them.

It was an ideal summer night. There was no moon, but as there were not many clouds in the sky the two boys were able to see about them in every direction. Crickets noisily were proclaiming their presence and the not unmusical notes of the tree toads joined in a chorus that arose from every side.

In silence the boys approached the front door of the house and just as they were about to enter there came again that mocking sound of an automobile horn.

In spite of his declaration of his courage Fred instantly gripped his companion's arm. Neither of the boys spoke as they halted for a moment on the stone door-step.

The startling noise of the horn was followed by sounds even more unexpected. There were shouts and calls and cries issuing from within the building. In the midst of this strange confusion there was also heard the sound of laughter.

The combination at first appeared to be almost too strong for the nerves of the two Go Ahead boys. For an instant they turned and were looking back at the road where George was waiting for them in his automobile.

"Come on," said Fred, his voice trembling in spite of his courageous att.i.tude. "Come on in, Grant. We must find out about this thing."

Before Grant could reply, suddenly around the corner of the house two men were seen. Both were running swiftly and apparently were unmindful of the presence of the boys.

The two ghostly forms moved swiftly across the intervening field and were apparently running directly toward the automobile in the road.

The sight was more than either Grant or Fred was able to endure. Without another word both leaped from the stone steps and in their swiftest paces ran down the old pathway eager to gain the shelter of the waiting automobile.

"What's the trouble?" demanded George as his companions joined him.

"What's happened? Is there anything wrong?"

"Don't talk about it now," said Fred. "Put on all the speed you have got and we'll tell you later what happened."

"I don't believe there's any such great need of haste," said George dryly. "Why not go back and find out what the cause of all the trouble is?"

"You may go if you want to," retorted Fred, "but I'm not going to try it again to-night."

"The Go Ahead boys apparently are in motion, but not in the right direction," suggested George demurely.

"The right direction," declared Fred, "is straight toward your house."

As he spoke he glanced again at the Meeker place and as he did so discovered the two ghostly forms that were still moving across the field.

"Both of them came out of the house," he said in a loud whisper, "while we were on the front door-step."

"Oh, I guess not," said George tantalizingly. "It's probably two men that took a short cut. They were coming from the other road."

"Don't you believe it!" maintained Fred stoutly. "They came out of that old Meeker House. Didn't they, Grant?" he added, turning to his friend for confirmation.

"Yes, they came out of the house," said Grant brusquely. It was plain the boy was not enjoying the recollection of the swift flight which he and Fred had made to rejoin George.

"Get your car under motion," said Fred sharply. "We don't want to stay here any longer. We'll tell you what happened when you get out on the main road."

"Just as you say," laughed George.

A moment later the automobile was moving swiftly down the road. As it came near the place where the two forms had been seen it was evident that both were seeking to gain the road in advance of the automobile.

"Maybe the spooks will try to get this car, too," suggested George in a low voice.

At that moment there came a hail from the two men in advance and at the sound George laughed loudly.

"Do you know who that is?" he demanded, turning to his companions.

"Who is it?" inquired Fred.

"Why it's John and Uncle Sim. They want to ride home. I guess I'll pretend not to know who they are and put on a little more speed."

As he spoke the car began to move more swiftly, a sight which at once called forth louder shouts of protest from the two men who now were near the fence along the roadside.