The lantern they had observed from a distance was seen no more.  The windows were dark and silent.  But when they came to the door they found it unlocked.

As the crude latch was lifted, with a very slight creaking sound, a movement was heard inside, and then a heavy body was heard striking the ground at the rear.  Then a was as silent as before.

“Someone jumped out of a window!” Jimmie whispered.  “I hope he broke his crust!”

There was to be no defense of the place, then!  Whoever the inmates had been, they were deserting the house.

Ned stationed Frank and Jack at the front and moved around to the rear with Jimmie close behind.  A rustle in the undergrowth told him that the former occupants of the place were still about.

Jimmie darted in the direction of the noise, but was back again in a minute.

“Might as well try to chase a ghost!” he said.

“Got clear away, did he?” asked Ned.

“You know it!” grunted the little fellow.

Frank and Jack were now heard in the house, and the rays of a searchlight showed at a window, showed very faintly in cracks, for there was a heavy wooden shutter to the window on the inside.  Ned tried the rear door.  It was not locked and he entered.

The house was deserted, but it was not unfurnished.  Indeed, articles of furniture scattered about the rooms, which were in great disorder, denoted not only wealth but a refined taste.

There were velvet rugs on the floors and great easy chairs and lounging divans.  A pantry revealed unwashed dishes, showing that food had been served there recently.

“Who was it that ran away?” asked Jack, as the boys met.

“A ghost!” replied Jimmie.  “I chased him until he hid in a tree.”

“Why didn’t you pull him out?” grinned Jack.

“Because he turned into a green cow with purple wings!” the little fellow replied.

Jack whirled his arms around in the manner of one turning a crank and laughed.  The boys delighted in such by-play.

“If it’s all the same to you, boys,” Frank was now heard saying, “I’ll just devour such few things as are left here.  I see a ham and a box of canned vegetables.  Must have intended a long stop here, whoever he was.”

Leaving the boys to search the remainder of the house, Ned entered what had evidently been a reading room and turned on his light.  The room was handsomely decorated, and there were scores of books lying around on tables and chairs.

Calling to the boys, he directed them to bring up the marines and station them around the house.

“I want to know that I’ll not be disturbed,” he said.

“Found somethin’?” asked Jimmie.

“Look at the books,” Ned replied.

Jimmie read half a dozen titles and cast the volumes aside.

“They don’t look good to me,” he said.  “All about international law and treaties!”