w too interested to quote
a couplet. "Matters were going on well, and I expected to close the
deal, and make a pretty penny, when the doctors said they couldn't take
the property, as it was haunted, and of course a haunted house, with
queer noises in the night, would never do as a home for nervous
invalids. I could see that myself."

"But how did they know it was haunted?" asked Mollie.

"It seems that some of them were inspecting the place late one
afternoon, a day or so ago," said the storekeeper, "when a shower came
up, and they had to stay inside until it was over, which was after dark.
It was then they heard the queer groans, and saw strange lights, and
felt cold draughts of wind."

"Bur-r-r-r-r!" shivered Amy. "This is getting on my nerves."

"I guess it got on the nerves of the doctors," said Mr. Lagg, ruefully,
"for they called off the deal, and said they could not take the house
unless I would get rid of the haunt. Of course I laughed, and made an
investigation."

"And you didn't find anything?" put in Betty, quickly.

"Excuse me, Miss, but I did," replied Mr. Lagg, quietly.

"You did! What?"

"Just what the doctors said--queer groanings--strange lights--like
brimstone, and the same sort of smell--sulphur. I--I didn't stay long, I
don't mind admitting that."

For a moment the girls were silent, and then Mollie spoke.

"Did it ever occur to you, Mr. Lagg," she asked, "that those doctors
might be playing a trick on you to get you to part with the property
cheap? A haunted house isn't the best sort of real estate, you know; but
haunts and ghosts can easily be imitated, and those doctors might be up
to some such trick as that."

"I did think of that," went on the storekeeper, "and that is why I came
to you."

"You came to us!" chorused the girls.

"Yes. You see, you solved the mystery of the ghost of Elm Island, and I
don't see why you can't do the same thing for Kenyon's Folly."

"But that ghost, on the island--was a natural one," said Grace. "And the
boys helped us to discover what it was."

"Very well," said Mr. Lagg, calmly. "I've no objection to the boys
helping you in this case. In fact, it might be better. But what I want
to know is, could you--and would you--dare try to solve the ghostly
mystery?"

The girls looked at one another. Amy was shaking her head in the
negative. Betty and Mollie seemed interested, for they were born
leaders, Betty especially. Grace reached for another chocolat