ern they had observed from a distance was seen no more. The
windows were dark and silent. But when they came to the door they found
it unlocked.

As the crude latch was lifted, with a very slight creaking sound, a
movement was heard inside, and then a heavy body was heard striking the
ground at the rear. Then a was as silent as before.

"Someone jumped out of a window!" Jimmie whispered. "I hope he broke
his crust!"

There was to be no defense of the place, then! Whoever the inmates had
been, they were deserting the house.

Ned stationed Frank and Jack at the front and moved around to the rear
with Jimmie close behind. A rustle in the undergrowth told him that the
former occupants of the place were still about.

Jimmie darted in the direction of the noise, but was back again in a
minute.

"Might as well try to chase a ghost!" he said.

"Got clear away, did he?" asked Ned.

"You know it!" grunted the little fellow.

Frank and Jack were now heard in the house, and the rays of a
searchlight showed at a window, showed very faintly in cracks, for there
was a heavy wooden shutter to the window on the inside. Ned tried the
rear door. It was not locked and he entered.

The house was deserted, but it was not unfurnished. Indeed, articles of
furniture scattered about the rooms, which were in great disorder,
denoted not only wealth but a refined taste.

There were velvet rugs on the floors and great easy chairs and lounging
divans. A pantry revealed unwashed dishes, showing that food had been
served there recently.

"Who was it that ran away?" asked Jack, as the boys met.

"A ghost!" replied Jimmie. "I chased him until he hid in a tree."

"Why didn't you pull him out?" grinned Jack.

"Because he turned into a green cow with purple wings!" the little
fellow replied.

Jack whirled his arms around in the manner of one turning a crank and
laughed. The boys delighted in such by-play.

"If it's all the same to you, boys," Frank was now heard saying, "I'll
just devour such few things as are left here. I see a ham and a box of
canned vegetables. Must have intended a long stop here, whoever he
was."

Leaving the boys to search the remainder of the house, Ned entered what
had evidently been a reading room and turned on his light. The room was
handsomely decorated, and there were scores of books lying around on
tables and chairs.

Calling to the boys, he directed them to bring up the marines and
stati