broken as soon as the town was left behind. Alberta, who walked with her arm linked in Elfreda's, began to relate the story of the haunted house.
"Do you suppose for one minute that that house is really haunted?" said Elfreda sceptically.
"No one knows," was the disquieting reply. "People have seen strange sights there."
"What sights?" demanded Elfreda.
"They say the murdered brother walks through the house and moans," replied Alberta, shuddering slightly.
"That's nonsense," said Elfreda bravely. Nevertheless, the idea was not pleasant to contemplate. "I don't believe in ghosts," she added.
"I dare you to go into the room where the man was murdered," laughed Mary Hampton.
"I'm not afraid," persisted Elfreda.
"Prove it, then," taunted Mary.
"All right, I will," retorted Elfreda defiantly. "Show me the room when we get there and I'll go into it."