“Regular Batville,” remarked Aleck, rubbing his head. “And Bill Junior said it was just the place for us to spend the night.”
“Don’t suppose he ever saw these tenants,” laughed George. “What shall we do now?”
“Take a look up-stairs.”
This time, the other boy offered no objection, and, with Aleck in the lead, they started up. The rickety steps creaked and groaned dismally beneath their feet, and a cloud of dust arose. It was dark in the passageway and both moved with great caution, each instant expecting to hear the sound of flapping wings above their heads.
But the upper rooms were deserted, and the two breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the largest, their footsteps echoing strangely throughout the house.
“Well,” remarked Aleck.
“Well,” said George.
They looked at each other and laughed.
“Roughing it with a vengeance,” said George, walking toward the window. “A bit more than I bargained for; still, I guess we’ll have to stand it.”
“Just what we don’t want to do,” said Aleck, with a grin. “If we only had some straw, and a blanket, and——”