mell of sulphur.

"What is that?" asked Betty, in an awed whisper. She was more impressed
than she had been.

"Smells as if some one had lighted old-fashioned brimstone matches,"
answered Mr. Blackford.

"And it isn't the lightning, now," spoke Amy, looking at Mrs. Mackson.
"It's the--ghost."

"A very material ghost, in my opinion," said the young man, who had so
providentially come along. "I'm going to find out who it is."

He started toward the passage that led to the mansion.

"Don't you dare leave us here alone!" cried Betty, half tragically. Mr.
Blackford looked at her a moment, and then added quietly:

"Well, perhaps it will be better to postpone the investigation. And
there is your missing friend. But I would like to know who has an
object in doing this. I think Mr. Lagg would like to know, also."

Once more the mysterious house was in silence, and with a last look
around at the mildewed walls, the girls and Mrs. Mackson preceded Mr.
Blackford out of it.

"I'll get your secret yet!" exclaimed the young man, as he turned to
look at the strange habitation. "Now, where did you leave the auto?"

Fortunately, Betty had a good sense of direction and could lead the way,
flashing her lamp at intervals. Mr. Blackford had proposed that some of
the girls wait while he drove one of them to the stalled car in his
carriage, it holding but two. But the girls refused to consider this,
wishing to stay together.

"And, too," said Betty, "we might miss poor Mollie on the way."

"That is so," he had agreed. So they tramped along the muddy road,
making the turn on to the main highway, and then, when Betty was about
to remark that they must be near the car, Grace cried out.

"Oh, what is it now?" demanded Betty, a trifle sharply, for her nerves
were fast giving way under the strain, though the Little Captain had
good nerves, ordinarily.

"There's a light!" exclaimed Grace.

"Yes; and it's at the auto!" added Amy. "Oh, girls----"

"Perhaps it is Mollie," suggested Mrs. Mackson. "Call to her."

"Mollie! Mollie!" Betty cried, shrilly, and the others joined in with a
school call.

"Oh, are you there?" came back the answering hail. "Oh, I am so glad."

"That's Mollie!" said Betty, in great relief. "We are united again," and
presently the girls were clasping the lost one in their arms, and, let
the truth be told--weeping over her for very joy.

"But of all things--to see you!" exclaimed Mollie, to Mr. Blackford, as