Such appalling sounds breaking in on the absolute silence of the place were enough to give a man of iron something more than a slight start.
The sounds died out as suddenly as they had broken forth, and the stillness that followed was disturbed only by the tumultuous beating of the hearts of the two boys.
Brad clutched Dick’s arm.
“Great everlasting tornadoes!” groaned the Texan. “That sure was letting it out some!”
“Just a little!” admitted Dick.
It did not take the boys long to recover from the shock, which was followed by a feeling of resentment, for both knew some one had sought to frighten them in that manner.
Neither of them believed in ghosts.
“Wherever did it come from, pard?” asked Buckhart, softly—“upstairs or down?”
Dick was compelled to confess that he did not know. The groan and the shriek had echoed through the empty rooms in a most deceptive manner.
By this time both lads had their revolvers ready for use.