“How it is, Fred? Do you agree with Uncle Sim?” laughed George.
“I never saw any lights in it,” replied Fred glumly.
“No, but that’s what you wanted to see, I guess, more than anything else,” laughed Grant. “But there’s a light there now,” he added suddenly, “I saw it myself. It shines for a minute and then it is gone. There it is again!” he exclaimed a moment later. “You can see it shining through the cellar windows. What do you suppose it is?”
“Spooks,” said George solemnly. “They usually have a supper there once a year and I think to-night is the regular time for their meeting.”
“Do you want to stop?” demanded Fred quickly.
“I don’t mind,” replied George. There was no enthusiasm, however, manifest among the boys, although every one jokingly declared that he was not afraid. The excuse was commonly given that the necessity of hasty investigation into the loss of the automobile demanded action in other directions. Consequently no stop was made and although every boy was frequently glancing behind him at the old Meeker House no light was seen nor did any additional or unusual sounds come from that direction.
When the boys had gone beyond the corner their thoughts once more returned to the problem which was confronting them. The mystery of the lost car must be solved. Although there were many suggestions offered there was not one of the boys that had any clearly outlined plan as to what must be done in order to find the lost car or obtain information concerning those who had taken it.
“I have a suggestion,” broke in Grant at last.
“What’s that?” demanded Fred.
“Why, it’s your friend, the tramp. Probably he’s the man who has been hanging around the place for several days and when his opportunity came he took it.”