Part 27 (1/2)
”Dollars to dumplings,” Frank exclaimed, ”that the funny chap we met in the old mud house at Taku has a room in that shack.”
”He might have been hiding there,” Ned said.
”An' that old stiff signaled to him to make his getaway?” asked the little fellow.
”Looks like it,” Ned replied.
”Huh!” Jack objected. ”The signals might have told the men at the other end of the line to get their soldiers out and b.u.mp us off the continent.”
”Which idea,” responded Frank, ”causes me to want to approach that house with all due caution and respect.”
”Suppose we four surround it,” suggested Jimmie.
”That's the idea!” Jack commented.
”Just what I was about to propose,” said Wed. ”We'll leave the marines within call and go up to this temporary signal station and see what about it.”
The Captain was communicated with, and then the four left the road and moved around toward the rear of the house, keeping in the shadows of the trees. Not until they reached the very door of the place were there any signs of life there.
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.