h renewed force. The storm
apparently was at its height. For them to go on in the Black Growler
was almost impossible. There was nothing to be done, except to make the
best of the conditions in which they now found themselves.

Soon after the withdrawal of their landlady, who had been paid in
advance for the use of the rooms, although breakfast was not included
as the boys explained they might have to leave the village before
sunrise, they prepared for bed. They were thoroughly tired by the new
experiences of the past day and in spite of their surroundings and the
noise of the men below and of the storm, which still was raging, they
decided to retire.

Their rooms did not connect and as George and Grant withdrew, Fred
said, "If we need your help in the night, fellows, don't fail to come
right away."

"Are you scared, Peewee?" laughed George.

"Yes, I am, and I don't mind saying so," retorted Fred. "I don't like
the sound that comes from that room downstairs."

Fred's feelings were not relieved when he found it was impossible to
lock the doors. An old fashioned iron latch was the only means by which
each door was opened and there were not even bolts or buttons by which
the door could be fastened.

"I'm going to put a chair against the door," said Fred. "I'm afraid
something will happen before morning."

Nor was Fred disappointed, for two hours after the boys were in bed the
door of the room which Fred and John occupied was stealthily opened by
some one in the hall.

[1] The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House.

CHAPTER VII

AN UNWELCOME PARTY

"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.

The noise in the room below had prevented him from sleeping soundly.
Several times he sat erect in bed, convinced that some one was in the
room. Even when his fears proved to be groundless he was unable to
ignore the shouts and songs and calls that frequently indicated that
the men in the room below were angry. Before he had retired he had
obtained a glimpse of the shouting assembly when a door had been opened
and the sight had not soothed his feelings. And now he was positive
some one was trying to open the door of their room.

Aroused by the call of his friend, John also quickly sat up and stared
about him. There was no mistaking the fact that some one was trying to
enter by the door which yielded slightly to the pressure and the chair
which had been placed by Fred to protect them had been moved bac