Uncle Sim merely shook his head and made no further comment. It was plain, however, that he was seriously troubled by the statement of Grant and that he was sincere in his warning.

“I say, fellows,” called Fred quickly, “why don’t we go over to the Meeker House to-night? It looks as if it is going to be cloudy,” he added as he glanced up at the sky. “This will be just the ideal night. If there’s anything uncanny around the place we’ll be likely to find it out. Oh, you needn’t go if you don’t want to,” he added quickly upon George’s unspoken protest. “You and Uncle Sim will be excused, if you don’t want to go.”

“If you fellows go I’m not going to be left behind,” spoke up George promptly.

“Then it’s all fixed,” declared Fred gleefully. “We’ll go to the Meeker House to-night.”

CHAPTER III—INTO THE HAUNTED HOUSE

The Go Ahead boys were excited when they entered the house of their friend and that night when they gathered about the supper table their one theme of conversation was the proposed visit to the old Meeker House.

Occasionally throughout the conversation there was an expression on the face of George different from that of his companions. However, none of them was aware of the occasional smile, or of the keen look with which George occasionally glanced about the table. At other times the expression of his face was serious and his interest in the suggested visit apparently was as keen as that of any of his friends.

The boys decided to wait until darkness had fallen before they started on their expedition.