n't spare the time. I am needed at my store. That boy is sure to
wrap up the wrong kind of tea or sugar, and my customers are very
particular. And as for the poetry end of the business, he is no good at
that at all. No, I can't spare the time."

"But if you think those doctors have an object in making the mansion
appear haunted," spoke Grace, "why do you not go to the authorities and
complain? Surely they would do something for you."

"I thought of that," said Mr. Lagg, simply, "but you know what the
police are about ghosts. They would only laugh at me, and do nothing.
Besides, if these doctors are doing it, they are sharp enough to cover
their tracks well. I would have no chance. But they would never suspect
you girls, and they might betray themselves. Come now, will you look
into this for me?"

He was very much in earnest, and Mollie, who had at first been inclined
to laugh at the ghost theory, began to think that at least Mr. Lagg had
some basis for his alarm. If after all his work in getting the property,
that no one had cared for so long, it was to become useless on his
hands, he was to be pitied, for he had labored hard to accumulate his
savings.

Still the girls did not want to be rash, to run into danger, or
undertake something that would get them unpleasantly talked about, for
in no place other than in a country town is there so much gossip.

"You needn't answer me right away," went on the storekeeper. "Take a
little time and think it over. Speak to your folks about it, and tell
the boys, if you like. But if these ghosts, whatever they are, don't get
out of that place soon, I'll lose all the money I put in it."

"Did those doctors hint at taking it at a lower figure than you offered
it for?" asked Betty.

"No, they haven't yet. If that is their game they will wait a little
longer, I think," spoke Mr. Lagg. "But don't be in a hurry to decide
now. Think it over. I'll go now, for I must get back to my store.

"I'm glad to have seen you,
One and all.
When up my way,
Please make a call."

He bowed to them all in turn, and took his leave, the girls excitedly
talking about the object of his visit, as he went out.

"Did you ever hear of such a thing?" asked Grace.

"The haunted mansion of Shadow Valley," remarked Mollie. "It reads like
a book title."

"Maybe we could make a story of it," suggested Amy, whose taste ran
somewhat to literature, and who had won