Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/297

Rh and to the rear, various doors leading to the lower rooms.

"This is certainly gloomy enough," remarked Dave. "And cold enough, too."

"Feels to me like a vault, or a tomb," said Ben. "Any ghosts around? Every first-class old castle has its ghosts, you know."

"This isn't first-class enough to have one," answered Phil, with a grin.

From one of the rooms they heard a murmur of voices. Two men were talking earnestly. They also detected the odor of something cooking.

"They must be tramps," whispered Ben.

"Yes, but as there are only two of them, there is nothing to be afraid of," returned Roger.

"I don't think they'll like to be disturbed," said Dave.

"They haven't any more right here than we have," put in Phil. "If they—Hark!"

He stopped short and the four boys listened intently.

"They are quarreling," exclaimed Roger.

"Yes, and it's over some money. I believe they'll be fighting in another minute," added Dave.

"I say I want the money you promised to me," said one of the men in the room. "You can't put me off any longer."

"Now, just keep cool, Billy," was the answer in