bility of forcing an entrance
to the wonderful mansion, and taking up temporary or permanent quarters
there. Perhaps the idea of spending the coming winter under so
magnificent a roof, with frequent excursions around the countryside
in search of necessary supplies, engrossed their attention.

Some little time passed away. The four boys began to show signs of
impatience, believing that Monkey Stallings must surely by now have
gained the place he had in mind when he left them.

"There, I saw him wave his hand to us from that slit in the stone wall
of the tower!" hissed Alec, presently. "He's managed to find a way to
get inside after all, and now the fun's going to begin."

"It's time, too," added Arthur, "because the hoboes have made up their
minds to try and break into the house. See, that big chump has picked
up a heavy rock, and he acts as if he meant to hurl the same against
those stout oaken doors."

Indeed, that was just what happened. The collision, however, only
resulted in a loud bang, for it would take many hundreds of like blows
to do those stout doors any serious damage. The smaller tramp shook
his head dubiously.

"Now they are talking it over again," whispered Alec. "The short one
is pointing as if he believes they can find a much easier way to get
inside than trying to smash the door down. Hey! Monkey, better get
busy or you'll find the pair treading close on your heels."

Hardly had Alec spoken that last low word than a thrilling sound came
floating to the ears of the four listening scouts. None of them could
ever describe what it was like; indeed, it seemed to possess a character
all its own, and somehow caused the "goose-flesh" to creep over their
bodies, even though they knew the origin of the uncanny cry.

The two tramps had jumped back at the first outburst. They seemed to
be staring wildly toward the "donjon tower," as Alec persisted in
calling the round structure at one end of the imitation castle.
Louder and louder grew the racket. Billy laid a trembling hand on
Hugh's arm as though seeking comfort from personal contact with the
scout master.

Presently the pair of hoboes appeared to have reached the limit of
their endurance. One snatched the dead fowl that had possibly been
stolen from some farmyard on their way up from the railroad; while
the other hastily gathered the rest of their primitive possessions
in his trembling hands.

Then, as another fearful burst of strange cri