eyes noticed anything peculiar about my manner. There is a lot more to
tell you, Hugh."

"Suppose you get started then, and let's hear of your adventures," the
other went on to say, with kindling interest. "Did any tramp try to
hold you up on the road; or was it necessary for you to stop and help
put out a fire in some farmhouse; like the time both of us had that
pleasure, and received the biggest dinner we ever got away with as a
reward?"

Thad shook his head in the negative.

"If you kept on guessing all day long I don't believe you'd hit the
mark, Hugh. Still, in one sense you're right when you call it an
adventure; though a pretty mild one. I'll tell you about it."

"Wish you would, Thad," grumbled Hugh, pretending to look anxious to
hurry along on his way home. "Playing ball for three hours gives a
fellow a ferocious appetite, you know; and we have chicken pot pie at
our house tonight, which is one of my favorite dishes. So please get a
move on you."

"Well, after I managed to mend my tire, being set on accomplishing the
job if it took me till dark, I started along the road, and presently
drew near town. That was about half an hour ago, I should imagine. I
had just stopped to take another look at the tire, which seemed to be
flattening more or less, when I heard some one calling weakly. When I
turned to look I found that by some accident I had stopped exactly in
front of that queer old place which we've always called the Rookery,
because it looks as if spooks might live there."