"Yes, sir, to pick up the three Rovers and Stanley Browne. They must be somewhere about. They came to explore the old house and to settle this ghost story."
"I think they came more for spirits than for ghosts," answered
Professor Blackie dryly, "Then you know all about it, eh?"
"Why, yes."
"Then you knew they came here to drink and to carouse generally," went on the instructor, and his voice grew stern.
"Drink? Carouse? What are you talking about?" gasped Songbird. "The
Rovers don't drink at all, and Stanley Browne drinks very little."
"Of course you wish to shield them, but it will do little good, Powell. Professor Sharp received word of what was going on, and he asked me to accompany him here. We have seen a sad sight. What Doctor Wallington will say when he hears of it, I cannot tell. I am afraid, however, that he will deal severely with the offenders."
"Professor Blackie, what you say is a riddle to me," answered
Songbird. "I don't understand you at all."
"Then come with me, and perhaps you will understand," was the instructor's reply, and he led the way to the rear of the deserted house.
All of the students and Professor Sharp were now outside, on or near the back porch. Tom had recovered his senses, and Sam had obtained for him a drink of water from an old well. Much to the astonishment of the students, the professor had caught sight of a liquor flask in Tom's pocket, and had snatched it away.
"Here is evidence you cannot deny!" cried Abner Sharp in triumph. "All but empty, too!" he added, after shaking the flask and smelling of it.