several prizes in school essay
work.

"We'd better solve the mystery first," said practical Betty, "then we'll
know what sort of a book to make. I wonder if we ought to take this up?"
and she gazed half-doubtfully, half-suggestingly, at her chums.

"Not right away, at any rate!" exclaimed Mollie. "Let's talk about our
motor tour. I'm just dying to get off on that. Afterward we can
consider Mr. Lagg's offer. Poor man, he seemed really worried! I'd like
to help him if we could."

"So would I!" declared Betty.

The girls alternated their talk between the proposed tour and the
haunted mansion. The latter was left in abeyance, but they tentatively
decided to take a long auto trip, as soon as they could arrange for a
chaperone to go with them on such occasions as they would stay over
night at hotels, while other nights were to be spent at the homes of
relatives or friends. In a way it would be a duplication of their
camping and tramping trip, except that they would cover a wider range of
country, and be more comfortable.

"And I only hope we have as much fun!" exclaimed Mollie. "Now, girls,
we've talked enough. Let's go for a run. I telephoned to have my car
brought here, and----"

"Here it is--quite marvelous!" interrupted Betty, as the large and
handsome auto drew up outside, in charge of a man from the garage.

Auto veils, bonnets, goggles and gowns were soon donned, Mollie's chums
having come partly prepared for a trip, and soon, with Mollie at the
wheel, they were riding down the pleasant main street of Deepdale.

"Hey there! Take us along!" came a voice as they turned off the main
thoroughfare into a smaller road that led to the farming country beyond.

"It's Will and Frank," said Grace, as she observed the two boys.

"And there comes Allen," added Amy.

"Now, Betty, maybe you'll talk more," for the Little Captain had been
rather silent.

"Shall we take them?" asked Mollie, as she noted Betty's blushing
cheeks. "There is plenty of room." Her car would seat seven with
comfort.

"Take us along!" pleaded Will. "We'll buy the chocolates, girls."

"Oh, let him come," petitioned Grace, for her candy stock had again run
low.

"That's all she thinks of!" declared Betty. "But I have no objections."

"Especially when Allen is around," taunted Mollie, as she slowed up her
car near the sidewalk.

"Come on, fellows!" exulted Will. "We're going to have a ride in the joy
wagon."

"The chocolates," Grace remind