The strange shriek was again heard. Russ stopped in his speech. Rose
uttered a sharp cry. The screech--and it did sound like a woman's voice,
the voice of a woman in fearful pain or fright--seemed very near them.

"It's right over there in that patch of woods," said Russ. "I guess she
is lost--or something."

"Do you believe it is only a lady and not a ha'nt, Russ?" demanded his
sister.

"Of course it isn't a ha'nt! Such things can't be! And if it was a
ghost, a ghost is nothing but air, and how could air have such a voice
as that?"

This reasoning seemed to close the argument. Rose felt that her brother
must be right. Besides, Russ went right on talking, and talking very
bravely.

"I think we ought to see what the matter is with her, Rose. She is in
trouble--maybe she is lost and scared."

"So am I scared," murmured Rose.

"But think how much more you would be scared," her brother said
seriously, "if you were in those woods alone and didn't know that there
was anybody else near."

"I wouldn't make so much fuss about it," muttered Rose, for she
suspected the thought in Russ Bunker's mind and she was really too