“It doesn’t seem right,” said Scoop, “not to have Red with us.”
“He’s ornery,” grunted Peg, “but when he isn’t around you miss him.”
Hurrying, we shortly came within sight of the whispering pines. On the moment they looked fearfully grim and spooky to me. I shivered a bit as I followed my chums up the path.
It came ten-eleven-twelve o’clock.
“Midnight!” grinned Peg. “Now listen for the ghost.”
I held my breath. In the deep silence I could hear the rubbing of my fidgety fingers. Then from without the kitchen door came a faint pat! pat! pat! Some one was crossing the porch on tiptoes. The doorknob turned—slowly, with scarcely a sound.
Gosh! I don’t mind telling you that I was scared stiff.
“The spy!” breathed Scoop.
Five-ten minutes passed. [[31]]
“He heard us in here,” said Tom, “and beat it.”