"Or a few skeletons," put in Tom.
"Ugh! don't say skeletons," cried Songbird, with a shiver. "I've got the creeps already!"
"Look out that you don't break your neck on the stairs," warned Larry, and then Dick led the way down, holding the light before him.
If it was damp above it was far more so below, and the boys shivered in spite of themselves. The cellar had only a mud bottom and this was covered with slime and mold. There was little there to interest them outside of an old chest which, when they pried it open, proved to be empty.
"Listen!" cried Tom, suddenly, and held up his hand.
"What did you hear?" demanded several of the others.
"I thought I heard somebody walking around upstairs. There it is again!"
All gave attention, and heard the unmistakable sounds of footsteps on the stairs leading to the second story.
"Who is up there?" called out Dick, and turned to leave the cellar, followed by his brothers and chums.
"Stay where you are!" came back in a harsh voice. "Don't any of you dare to come out of that cellar!"