ed the Captain. "Let's look
farther."

They explored room after room, holding their breath as they entered each
one, as if they were about to discover something strange and terrifying
there. But there was nothing but dust and cobwebs to greet their eyes.
They went about opening doors, investigating bedrooms, peering into
closets; but they could find nothing interesting or exciting--not the
slightest vestige of a ghost.

"I guess this ghost only walks at night," said Lily,--"or at certain
seasons of the year."

"It certainly looks that way, doesn't it?" agreed Doris, grown quite
brave.

Up to this time, not one girl had actually admitted to herself that she
did not expect to find a ghost; and none could tell from the Captain's
expression what she thought of it; but now they were positive that they
did not believe in ghosts--the idea was too preposterous--especially
when Lily, upon opening a closet-door, exposed an old wig-form which
lay on the shelf, and which caused them great amusement.

"I dare say the people who lived here wore artificial wigs, both men and
women," commented Miss Phillips; "it was about that period."

If there ever was a ghost, it was one which left no traces; and the
girls became more at ease in this atmosphere of emptiness. They did,
however, have one brief moment of panic. They had all climbed the stairs
to the third floor and had paused upon the landing, undecided as to
which way they should go first, when a sharp whirring or rustling was
heard in the room nearest them.

For an instant they all stood perfectly still, paralyzed by fright. Then
Miss Phillips, with a quick step forward, flung open the door. This act
started the rustling again; and through the open doorway they could see
that it was nothing but a swallow which had in some way become
imprisoned there. Marjorie caught it in her hand, where it lay
palpitating distressedly; and thrusting her arm through a broken pane of
glass, allowed the creature to escape.

The short autumn day was drawing to a close, and the chillness of the
damp, musty atmosphere was beginning to affect the girls unpleasantly.
The sight of another fireplace--there seemed to be one in every
room--recalled Miss Phillips's thoughts to practical things.

"Let's go down to that big room," she suggested, "and prepare our
supper."

In fifteen minutes a bright fire was going and the kettle boiling
cheerily. The girls were so busy hurrying to and fro in preparati