Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/296

272 So it was arranged, and the party proceeded on its way. The river made many turns, and in spots they had to bend low to escape the overhanging branches. But, generally speaking, the skating was good, and by half-past eleven they came in sight of the old building Phil had described.

"It does look a little like a castle," said Ben. "Who owns it?"

"It belongs to some estate, I think," answered Phil. "Some of the heirs are missing, so the matter has never been settled."

"And nobody lives here?"

"So I've been told. Once a gang of tramps took possession, but the folks over at Riverdale chased them away."

"There is somebody at the place now," said Dave. "Don't you see the smoke pouring from that half tumbled-down chimney?"

"Dave is right," said Roger. "It's too bad! I thought that we'd have the place all to ourselves."

"Perhaps some other boys are here," said Phil. "Let us find out, anyway."

They skated to the lower end of the old building and there took off their skates. Then they entered through a wide-open doorway, and found themselves in a long hall, dark, dingy, and covered with cobwebs. At one side was a stairway leading to an upper floor, and on the other,