The girls looked at one another, and then at Mr. Blackford. He shook his head.
"I confess I am baffled," he said. "I did hope to find something. But we haven't come across it. If there was a systematic effort to give the impression that this mansion was haunted, there would have been some evidences of it.
"I mean we would have some material evidence. There would have to be some way of producing that bluish light, that groaning sound and the clanking of metal. But, unless the apparatus is more cleverly hidden than I suspect, it isn't here."
"Then the only thing to do is to give it up, and confess ourselves beaten," suggested Betty.
"I don't like to do that," spoke Mollie.
"Well, we can go over the place again," remarked Mr. Blackford slowly, "but I don't see——"
He paused abruptly and seemed to be listening. The girls glanced at one another curiously.
Then there sounded through the house a cry as of fear, and it was followed by a heavy fall that jarred the floor.
Mr. Blackford sprang to the door, rushed down the hall, and a moment later cried:
"Girls, come here!"