ootprints. Evidently the men had picked out the easiest
way to advance. They must have either known where they were going, or
else followed a former path that was not overgrown, and partly
concealed with rank vegetation.

"Look! there's a glimpse of the castle!" whispered Alec, suddenly.

Through the openings in the copse beyond they could see the gray walls
rising up ahead. It was an impressive spectacle. The westering sun
shone on the tower that had been made to look like some old-time type
English masonry, famous in history, with its portcullis, drawbridge,
and surrounding watery ditch known as a "moat."

After silently inspecting the side of the old building thus presented
to their gaze for a minute or so, the boys began to show their former
restlessness.

"The trail keeps right on, Hugh!" whispered Alec, which was as much as
saying that he could see no reason for further delay.

"Listen!" cautioned Arthur.

"Oh! what did you think you heard?" asked Billy, with a gasp.

"It must have been voices somewhere ahead of us," came the answer. "The
men are talking it over, most likely."

"Debating whether they've got the nerve to go a step further and enter
the haunted castle," chuckled Alec. "Let's move on, and get a squint
at the bold trespassers, Hugh."

Accordingly once more the whole party started to move ahead, foot by
foot. All the woodcraft they had managed to pick up in previous
exploits was brought into play as they crept along softly.

"Stop!" Hugh gave the low order, finally.

"I see them, Hugh," announced Alec, eagerly.

"Show me where," begged Billy, pushing himself forward.

A few seconds later Arthur was heard to say disdainfully:

"Why, it looks to me as if they might be only a pair of Weary Willies,
who had wandered up here from tramping the railroad ties. They must
have heard about a fine house lying idle here, and have come to camp
out for a spell. You can see they've got a chicken dangling by the
neck, and some old tomato cans they mean to make coffee in. Whew!
but they are a tough looking pair, I tell you."

Alec looked, and sniffed disdainfully.

"Here's where we're up against it good and hard, fellows," he remarked,
softly. "The question is, do we want to stand for that couple of
greasy hoboes keeping us company while we camp out here in the deserted
castle? Everybody say his mind, and majority rules, you know."

"Excuse me, if you please," muttered Arthur, with a shud