“Where was he?” demanded Virginia. “It sounded as though he were beneath the floor, but the place has no cellar.”
“It came from the ceiling,” contradicted Phyllis.
“Do you really think it is a ghost?” whispered Janet.
The others motioned for silence as the knocks were resumed. Three more were followed by a low, gurgling scream that rose and wavered on the night air, dying slowly away. The girls exchanged glances, their faces white and troubled. Tom was frowning fiercely. Jim’s eyes were darting about the room to find the source of the ghostly knocks and scream.
“This isn’t funny any more,” Janet said fearfully.
“Do you think we can stay here all night?” Valerie added.
“It will take more than knocks and a scream to scare us away,” Virginia declared staunchly.
“But suppose it is the old miner come back to wait for the thieves?” Carol began. “What are----”
Her voice died away as the distinct rattling of chains filled the air.
“All the desired sound effects,” Tom growled.