CHAPTER XXV
THE ROOM OF MYSTERY
How to Make a Haunted House
One winter evening three boys—Jim Thompson, his cousin Will White, and a friend named Handley—approached the door of Bobbie Cargill’s house. Bobbie was a genius for inventions, and they all felt a desire to see his home.
As they reached the door, White, who was a cynic in his own way, raised his hand to the knocker and was about to give a thundering “rat-tat,” when the door silently opened, revealing an empty hall in which the light flickered dimly.
After a glance of surprise at one another the guests entered.
“Close the door! Wipe your boots, and come upstairs!”
The visitors started violently as these words were uttered by a hollow voice, coming from nowhere in particular, and yet quite close to where they were standing.
After a moment Handley said in a whisper, “I don’t much like this. It seems——”
“Hang up your hats, and be quick about it,” the ghostly voice interrupted sharply. “Are you going to stand chattering there the whole night? Hang up your hats, I say!”