Dick and Sam were to meet Tom in Ashton at three o'clock, and all hoped that the girls would come later. Stanley could not go, for he had a Latin composition to write.
When the Rovers reached the hotel in Ashjton they found Tom impatiently awaiting them. By the look on his face they knew he had something to tell.
"Come up to my room," he said, and led the way to the apartment, located on the second floor, front.
"You can sit by the window, Dick, and keep a lookout for the girls," said Sam.
"Yes, they'll be here in about an hour," said Tom. "They telephoned this morning."
"Well, what have you discovered anything?" demanded Dick impatiently.
"I think I am on the right track," answered Tom. "Let me tell you what I've done. In the first place, I visited the haunted house yesterday morning, and went through it from celtlar to garret."
"Alone?" queried Sam.
"Yes, alone. But I carried a pistol, and I had it ready for use, too."
"I don't blame you," murmured Dick. "And I guess you looked to see if the doors were open, too."
