“Just look at that, Tom!” he gasped. “Did you ever see anythin’ to beat it?”

Tom was staring in open-mouthed wonder.

The grim, square outlines of the ancient ranch-house made a dark silhouette against the cloudless sky. All of its windows but two appeared as dark, gloomy patches; and from these exceptions a dull glow of yellowish light struggled forth.

Their castle had been invaded.

CHAPTER V
NEW FRIENDS

A chorus of exclamations arose when the others rode up.

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Dick. “Say! Maybe this isn’t some surprise.”

“Well, I like that,” cried Tom, fiercely.

“I don’t,” said Don, with decided frankness.

“We’ll just dash right down and see what it all means. Come on, fellows.”