“This one seems to be the worst of all,” said Abner Sharp, turning to Tom.  “He must have drunk more than the others.”

“He will have to sleep it off,” answered Professor Blackie.  “Too bad!  Too bad!  Why will young men do such things?” And he shook his head sorrowfully.

“I believe what the note said.  This has been a regular hangout for the Rovers and their chums,” said Professor Sharp severely.  “It is high time it was broken up.”

“Yes yes,” answered the other instructor How shall we—­er—­get them back to Brill?”

“I’ll see about that.  They must have some sort of a carriage here, or maybe somebody was going to call for them.”

“Shall I take a look around?”

“If you will.”

Professor Blackie looked around the house and grounds and then went through the tangle of a garden to the roadway.  He espied Songbird coming along, driving the team rapidly and singing to himself.  Songbird had passed an all-too-short hour with Minnie Sanderson.

“Stop, Powell!” cried the professor.

“I was going to, sir,” answered the would-be poet cheerily.  “How is this, Professor Blackie?  Did you come to hunt for the ghost, too?”

“Ghost?  I came for no ghosts—­since there are no ghosts,” was the quiet answer.  “Were you to stop here?”

“Yes, sir, to pick up the three Rovers and Stanley Browne.  They must be somewhere about.  They came to explore the old house and to settle this ghost story.”

“I think they came more for spirits than for ghosts,” answered Professor Blackie dryly, “Then you know all about it, eh?”

“Why, yes.”

“Then you knew they came here to drink and to carouse generally,” went on the instructor, and his voice grew stern.

“Drink?  Carouse?  What are you talking about?” gasped Songbird.  “The Rovers don’t drink at all, and Stanley Browne drinks very little.”

“Of course you wish to shield them, but it will do little good, Powell.  Professor Sharp received word of what was going on, and he asked me to accompany him here.  We have seen a sad sight.  What Doctor Wallington will say when he hears of it, I cannot tell.  I am afraid, however, that he will deal severely with the offenders.”

“Professor Blackie, what you say is a riddle to me,” answered Songbird.  “I don’t understand you at all.”

“Then come with me, and perhaps you will understand,” was the instructor’s reply, and he led the way to the rear of the deserted house.

All of the students and Professor Sharp were now outside, on or near the back porch.  Tom had recovered his senses, and Sam had obtained for him a drink of water from an old well.  Much to the astonishment of the students, the professor had caught sight of a liquor flask in Tom’s pocket, and had snatched it away.

“Here is evidence you cannot deny!” cried Abner Sharp in triumph.  “All but empty, too!” he added, after shaking the flask and smelling of it.