The investigators soon found that the first floor of the ranch-house consisted of three large rooms and a kitchen. The rays of the sun streaking over the walls revealed the barrenness of their dingy surroundings and brought out strongly the thick festoons of cobwebs which hung from the ceiling. In places the plaster had fallen, exposing the laths.
To Larry Burnham the old, deserted place, so far away from civilization, possessed as uninviting an aspect as any house he had ever seen. The traces of ornamentation, too, which still remained served only to add to the dreary appearance.
“For goodness’ sake, let’s get outside,” he said.
“Not until we’ve visited every room,” said Tom.
Following the active, tireless Rambler, they trooped up-stairs. Here they found more to show what the ranch-house must have been in its prime. In the largest room, probably once occupied by the owner, were figure decorations painted on the plaster of the ceiling, but now so faded and otherwise marred by age and dampness as to show only a few traces of their original design.
From here the lads wandered to the apartment where the fire had occurred, examining the charred beams, the smoke-begrimed walls, the plaster lying in heaps on the floor, and other damage wrought by lightning and fire.
“Must have been a pretty hot time in lots o’ ways,” commented Larry.
“Very interesting,” said Dave; “but that view outside the window interests me more. Mark the contrast between the rich, deep green of the firs and cedars and the delicate tones of the temple.”
“He’s getting worse and worse,” said Larry.
“Your description, at least, fits my hunger,” laughed Dave. “Who’s cook to-night?”