o the--the haunted house!" and Grace's voice was shrill.

"Now see here!" began Betty, and her voice was as severe as she could
make it, for she recognized that now was the time to get the situation
well in hand. "This house is no more haunted than you are, Grace Ford."

"But--but----"

"'But me no buts,'" quoted Betty, merrily--as merrily as possible under
the circumstances. "We are going to be sensible--and--go in."

Suiting the action to the word she advanced into the hall, through which
the wind was now sweeping in rather mournful gusts. Mollie hesitated a
moment, and then followed her chum. The action of the two leaders with
the lanterns had a good effect on the others.

This might have been accounted for in two ways. The presence of Betty
and Mollie in the hall may have had its effect, or the kindly lights of
the auto, glowing so cozily, disclosed a shelter that, whatever its
disadvantages, at least afforded dryness.

Then, too, the taking away of the lights from the three of the party who
remained outside may have added to the effect. At any rate Grace stepped
into the hall, followed by Cousin Jane, and then timid Amy, finding
herself alone on the small porch, scurried in.

"Well, we're here!" said Betty, with a smile--rather a pale effort to
tell the truth, but a smile nevertheless. "Now what is the next thing to
do?"

"If we had only brought something to eat," sighed Grace. "And our
chocolate outfit!" for they carried one, with a small alcohol stove,
that they might make a hot drink when they stopped at noon for luncheon.

"No use crying over missing chocolate," said Mollie. "We're here, under
shelter, anyhow; and we can keep dry. Now if we can find anyone at home
we'll beg their hospitality for the night. Maybe they can get us a
meal--if we pay for it."

"There's no one living in this house--I'm sure of that!" declared Amy.
"Smell the musty odor--and--see----" she pushed open a door leading from
the hall, and directed Betty's hand so that the lantern flashed inside.
The room was bare and empty. "No one at all," she insisted. "The house
is deserted."

"Well, so much the better," declared Grace. "That is, if there are
no--no----" she did not finish, but looked around rather apprehensively.

"Ghosts--say it!" commanded Betty, sharply. "The oftener you use the
word the less it will frighten you."

"Look here!" exclaimed Mollie. "I don't believe we're in the--the
haunted house at all."

"Why not?"