The others did the same, two of them picking up sticks and the others arming themselves with stones. Then they advanced with caution, keeping their eyes wide open for the appearance of anything that might look dangerous.
"I don't see any light around the place," announced Jack, as they drew closer.
"I wonder what became of Nappy and Slugger?" broke in Fred. "I don't see them anywhere."
"Suppose we call them," suggested Andy.
"Let us walk around the house first," returned his twin. "They may have gone in by the back way. Most of the folks living around here use the back door for everything."
With added caution the Rover boys walked slowly around one side of the building. In the rear they found everything as dark and deserted as in the front.
"This is certainly strange," announced Jack. He advanced and knocked sharply on the closed door.
There was no reply, and he knocked a second time. Then Randy beat upon the door with his stick.
"It looks to me as if there wasn't a soul in the place," announced Andy. "I wonder what has become of Nappy and Slugger?"
"See here, will you?" cried Fred suddenly. "It looks to me as if nobody lived here. Every one of the windows is boarded up on the inside. I believe this house is being used for nothing but a storehouse. I don't believe a soul lives here."