“Yes, and see if we can come across those old fellows with the beards that told us the corn-fish story,” chuckled Chet.  “You know,” he added, “I have wondered several times since then what the old fellows were up to.  Somehow, I’m mighty sure they didn’t tell the truth.”

“I tell you what!” cried Ferd eagerly.  “Let’s push on in the direction we were going the other day and see what’s being pulled off in there.”

“Yes, and get shot most likely,” sniffed Laura.  “I don’t think much of that idea.”

“Well, we didn’t ask you to come, did we?” Ferd asked.

“No, and I don’t think it was very nice of you, after we invited you to our party,” Violet put in, trying to look aggrieved.

“Oh, please won’t you come with us?” asked Ferd, bowing elaborately before her.

Laura gave him a little push which precipitated him in a rather abrupt manner into a chair and completely spoiled his gallantry.

“I’ll get even with you,” he threatened good-naturedly, during the laugh that followed at his expense.  “But say, fellows, you haven’t answered my question.  Are you game?”

“Sure we’re game,” they answered, and Chet added, as he picked up a stick he had found in the woods several days before and had modeled into an excellent club:  “If they start any funny business they’ll find me ready for them.”

“Oh, boys, do be careful!” Billie begged, really afraid that their love of adventure would get them into trouble.  “I didn’t like the looks of those men.  And they had clubs.”

“Maybe—­” said Violet in an awed voice.  “Maybe they’re—­what do you call them—­the fellows that make whiskey—­”

“Moonshiners?” Teddy helped her out, and the boys shouted with laughter.

“All the more reason why we should find them out,” said Ferd, as they started from the room.  “It’s our duty,” he turned in the doorway to make them a bow, “to turn them over to justice.”

“It must be a disease,” laughed Billie, as the girls ascended the old staircase together.

“Well, I hope they live through it,” added Laura, with a chuckle.

“I found a funny old closet yesterday,” said Billie, as they came out into the musty attic.  “I was just going to open it and see what was inside when you girls called me for something.  Here it is,” indicating a small door, the top of which was only on a level with their shoulders.

“I never saw so many queer things in one place in my life,” said Laura, peering down as Billie opened the door.  “I didn’t know they grew that way.”

“We’ll have to stoop down to get in here,” said Billie, poking her head into the stuffy dark hole disclosed.  “And look, girls!” she exclaimed excitedly, as her eyes became accustomed to the gloom.  “The closet runs away back an awfully long way, and there seems to be something bulky at the other end of it.”

“Well, let’s go in,” said Laura, giving Billie an impatient little push.  “We can’t find anything by standing here.  Billie, what’s the matter?” for Billie had started back so suddenly that she had almost thrown Laura off her balance.