There was such a hush over the place, such a weird, uncanny atmosphere, that, somehow, the boys did not feel like being loud-voiced or boisterous.
“We’ll be running into a reception committee next!” Alex. returned.
The music continued for a few seconds, then ended in a repetition of the dragging, rustling sound and the shriek which had been heard before. This time the noise indicating physical motion appeared to come from the very hallway where the boys were standing!
Alex. and Jule continued on through the hall until they came to a partition which shut off the north end of it. There was a door in this partition, but it was locked. At first all the efforts of the lads failed to budge it.
“There’s one part of the ranch that hasn’t rotted away,” Alex. observed, as red-faced and perspiring, he paused in his attack on the door.
“That shows there’s some one taking care of it,” Jule decided. “Suppose we try the door once more? It ought to give way before our weight.”
They both threw their shoulders against the upper panels and they dropped back, revealing a small room which had the appearance of having recently been occupied. There was a wide fireplace at the back of the room, which was at the end of the house, and a chair standing near the hearth was softly cushioned. There was a window on each side of the fireplace, but the curtains were drawn so all the details of the apartment were not visible. The boys drew back for an instant.
“We’re breaking into some one’s house!” Jule whispered.
“I guess that’s right!” Alex. returned. “What ought we to do now?”
“Keep right on until we get at the solution of the mystery,” Jule answered. “It may be that we shall find a maiden in distress, and——”