well in ruins now, but the house is good."
"See anything strange about it?" asked Will.
"Strange? What do you mean?"
"Oh, well, I mean—er—any tramps in it—or anything like that?"
"No, not a thing," and Jimmie looked curiously at his questioner. "Well, I must be going. No more muddy roads for me!"
The auto party took their places again, Betty succeeding Mollie at the wheel, and Will being promised a chance later. Then they started off.
"Where are you going?" asked Grace, as Betty turned up a road on which they seldom journeyed. "This doesn't take us anywhere in particular."
"It goes to Shadow Valley," answered Betty.
"Are are you going there?" gasped Amy.
"Just to get a glimpse of it," was the reply. "Surely you're not afraid—in broad daylight."
"And with us along?" demanded Will, heroically. "Shame!"
"Oh, well" began Amy, but she did not finish.
"This side road leads right into the valley," said Mollie, a little later.
"Then we'll take it," decided Betty, and she swung the car about. A little later they were looking down from a height into the strange valley.
