The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House Part 5

"You did?" laughed Fred derisively. "I'll tell you what I'll do, Grant, if you'll go back into that house with me right now I'll go too."

"I'm going back there," said Grant slowly, "but as has been said I am going back when I can see something."

"That's what I thought," retorted Fred tauntingly.

"It's all right, fellows," spoke up George. "I guess we have had enough for one night. I don't suppose there really is anything in the things we have heard to-night, and we'll find out pretty soon just what it is, but until we do I think it's great fun to go into the old house and stir up the spooks."

"Do you know, I have an idea what those flying creatures were?"

suggested John.

"What were they?" inquired George.

"Bats probably."

"Bats?" exclaimed Fred scornfully. "Bats? Why those things had wings at least two feet long. You could hear them flapping over your head."

"That's about on the scale that you heard and saw everything to-night, Fred. That is, everything except the length of the steps you took when you were leaving. I would like to understand how a fellow who is only five feet four can take steps that are ten feet long."

"There's only one answer to that," said George, "and that is, he didn't."

"You don't know what you're talking about," retorted Grant. "You didn't see him. I did."

"See me?" exclaimed Fred. "See me! Why his hands were right on my shoulder all the while. I couldn't shake him off. He almost had me there two or three times. I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather have f.a.gan's spook get hold of me than Grant's hands when he is as scared as he was to-night."

"Well, fellows, what shall we do?" inquired George. "Do you want to give it up or go back?"

"Both," said Fred quickly. "We're not going back again to-night and we're not going to give it up. We're going ahead and find out what there is in that tomfoolery."

"Well, I see you have a little piece of nerve left yet," laughed George.

"I told you what was coming but you wouldn't believe me."

"Was that the reason why you went outside, George?" demanded John. "You remember, fellows," he added, turning to his companions, "George went around to the back of the old house. He was outside where he could get a fine running start if he had to."

"That may all be," said George slowly, "but my running start wasn't much compared with the one you fellows had. If you didn't get a running start I am wondering what time you would make if you had one. My, what a thing it would be at the track meet to have one of these ghosts to start the fellows off. I think the next time I see Grant on the track I'll yell f.a.gan at him. I think he will break the record if I do. Especially if Fred is just ahead of him. If you're not going back into the house," he continued, "I think we had better go back to the machine and start for home."

The boys all agreed and soon were seated in the car, riding swiftly back toward the farm.

Their confidence returned in proportion to the distance that intervened between them and the house which they had just visited. Indeed, when at last they arrived at the farmhouse every one was loud in his declaration that he had not been frightened by what had occurred and was strong in his determination to go back and investigate the things which had seemed so mysterious.

Nevertheless, in spite of their boasting, it was plain that Fred was somewhat chagrined by the quickness and rapidity of his departure from the old Meeker House. Several times that evening a sly allusion to his speed brought a quick retort.

The following morning, however, the courage and good spirits of the boys had returned in full measure. Even Fred was not afraid to acknowledge his fear of the night before and laughed as heartily as any of his friends when they described his antics in his flight from the house.

"That doesn't make any difference," he a.s.serted strongly. "I'm still one of the Go Ahead boys and I haven't given up the plan I spoke about."

"What's your plan, Freddie?" laughed John.

"I'm going to look into the old house by daylight."

"I wouldn't do that yet," suggested George soberly. "It seems to me the best plan will be for us to go down there again to-night and find out whether or not there really is anything in what we thought we heard and saw last night."

"We might take a gun," suggested Grant.

"What would you shoot?" said Fred scornfully. "Suppose you did find a spook and shot it, what good would it do? I suppose they aren't like other people."

After a long consultation it finally was agreed that another visit to the mysterious house should be made that evening and then if anything strange occurred the boys would make further investigation the following day.

----- [1] See "The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island."

CHAPTER V-A SURPRISE

Meanwhile Fred had decided that he would make some investigations of his own. His apparent lack of courage had reacted now and he was determined to do something which would enable him to redeem himself in the eyes of his companions.

Accordingly when his friends decided early in the afternoon that they would take the automobile and go to the country club for a game of tennis he excused himself on the plea that there were some other and very important matters to which he must attend.

It was a matter of self-denial for Fred to decline to join his companions in a visit to the country club. This place throughout the summer afternoons was one that was marked in the region. Crowds of young people a.s.sembled there and the tennis courts and golf links were occupied by people who were finding their vacation days pa.s.sing all too rapidly in the beautiful region.

To the protests of his friends Fred refused to listen. Even the fact that his absence might prevent a game of tennis from being played did not appeal to him. He quietly and steadfastly adhered to his purpose.

Soon after luncheon he saw his friends depart, although the last words he heard were their calls for him to reconsider and join them.

Previous to their departure George called Fred into the library and in a low voice said to him, "Take my advice, lad, and don't try it."

"Don't try what?" Fred inquired.

"You know what I mean."

"I haven't the least idea."

"Well, then I tell you again that my advice to you is not to do it."

"But I don't know what you mean."

"If you'll think it over for two or three hours I'm sure you'll find out," declared George and he withdrew from the room.

George's warning was still fresh in Fred's mind when the boys no longer could be seen. He was still mystified by the strange warning. He was positive that he had not spoken to any of his friends concerning the project in his mind and therefore it was impossible that George could have heard any word of his plans.

a.s.sured that his companions had departed, Fred soon afterward set forth on his solitary expedition. He had, however, not entered the road before he saw the automobile returning.

"What's wrong?" he called as the car stopped in front of the long, winding driveway that led to the farmhouse, which was located back on the hillside.

"I went off without my tennis racquet," explained George. "You have decided to come with us, haven't you, Fred?

"No, I'm not going," replied Fred.