“A fine place in which to play baseball!” laughed Merry.
“No worse place in Iowa.”
“Perhaps it is just as well that we are not going to play here.”
“You are better off.”
The boys were not far behind when they reached the gate and turned into the grounds surrounding the gloomy house amid the trees. The house was shuttered, and many of the shutters were closed.
At the front step Merry sprang from the carriage and assisted his strange companion to alight.
As the others of his party came up Frank said:
“Fellows, although this lady has been kind enough to offer us the shelter of her house, I fear we are intruding in a certain way. I am sure we are putting her to great inconvenience, and I wish to——”
“Mr. Merriwell,” interrupted the veiled woman, “I have tried to make it plain that you are not placing me at any inconvenience. I will add that my circumstances are such that the sum you may pay me for the accommodation of yourself and friends will be very acceptable. Oh! I’m going to take pay! You may give whatever sum you choose; I am satisfied that it will be satisfactory. I think this should put you more at your ease.”
“To a certain extent it does,” admitted Merry.