the girls
were doing now--although they did not know it--just standing still and
waiting for the head "ghost" to speak.

And finally, when the girls felt that they could no longer stand it but
must dash out of the dark woods and away from the ghostly, motionless
figures, the "head ghost" spoke.

"We have come," it said, "to ask you a question."

There followed another silence, and Billie, not knowing just what was
expected of her, but wishing to be polite, said, rather weakly: "Yes,
ma'am."

For a minute it looked as if the meeting would be broken up, for who
could be dignified and ghostly when addressed as "ma'am"? There was a
giggle from among the ghosts, and one or two of them began to double up
as if with silent laughter. But once again the head ghost lifted its
hand, or what looked more like a wing, under the sheet and her followers
straightened up.

"And that question is," said the head ghost in a voice not quite so
solemn as before: "Do you believe in ghosts?"

This was a poser. The girls never had believed in ghosts, but how could
they say so to this white-clad group. They had either to tell a fib or
offend their visitors. Billie, acting as spokesman, chose the fib.

"We never used to," she said, and for the life of her she could not keep
the laughter out of her voice, "but I think we shall after to-night."

"Ah," said the head ghost softly, and it seemed as if there were a
little stir in the group behind her. "Then come closer for I would ask
you yet one other question."

Obediently the chums came closer,--although they would much rather have
stayed where they were--and the head ghost put her second question.

"Listen," she said solemnly, lowering her voice at least two degrees
more. "Listen well, for it is a matter of great import. Would you be one
of us?"

In the silence that followed the girls could almost hear their hearts
beat. This was the secret society to which every girl in Three Towers
longed to belong, and they, Billie, Laura, Vi, were being asked to join.
The last question of the head ghost could mean nothing else.

They hesitated a moment, too dazed to answer, and the head ghost
repeated its request.

"Would you be one of us?" it asked. "Answer quickly--yes or no?"

Billie took a chance on her chums and took the plunge.

"Yes!" she answered breathlessly.

"Ah, 'tis well," came in solemn tones from the white mask of the leader.
Then she waved her arm toward the white-clad figures