“You will in a minute. What I want is for you two boys to go up there and solve the mystery.”
“But if you couldn’t—’ Bob began, but Mr. Stokes interrupted:
“Remember I’ve talked with Rex Dale about you boys and he has told me some of the things you have done, so it seems to me that getting the best of a few ghosts ought to be a simple matter for you.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” Bob shook his head. “Rex is very apt to exaggerate about some things but, of course, we’ll be glad to do what we can for you, eh Jack?”
“What you say goes for me,” Jack grinned.
“Then that’s settled,” and Mr. Stokes heaved a huge sigh of relief. “Now I’ll tell you what I think will be best. You can go up there as boarders paying the regular rates which, of course, will be returned to you, and not let anyone know that you are working for me. You’ll find the fishing good, as you probably know, even in the summer, and I don’t think the time will hang heavy on your hands. Now as to terms, how will this suit you? I’ll engage you for one month and will pay you five hundred dollars whether or no and if you succeed I’ll give you a thousand.”
“That’s altogether too much,” Bob declared and Jack nodded his head in agreement.
“Please let me be the judge of that,” Mr. Stokes smiled. “I am ashamed to say that I’m a pretty rich man and the money doesn’t count. Buying the place was just a fad, but I hate to fail at anything I undertake, so we’ll say no more about the money end of it.”
“If that’s the case we’re more than satisfied and we’ll do our best to earn the thousand,” Bob said.
“I’m sure of it and I certainly hope you will succeed.”