As
they did so all heard a peculiar rustling sound, but from whence it
came they could not tell.
"What was that?" asked Sam.
"I don't know," answered his oldest brother.
"Say, this room looks as if it had been used lately," cried Tom, as
the rays of the lantern illuminated the apartment. "Why, it's quite
homelike!"
"Maybe some tramps have had their headquarters here," said Dick. "It
would be just like them to single out a spot like this."
"Yes, provided they weren't afraid of ghosts," came from Stanley.
"Tramps aren't usually afraid of anything but work," answered Tom
dryly. "But this is queer, isn't it?" he added, as he picked up
an empty cigar box. "Somebody must smoke good cigars--these were
imported."
"Here is an empty liquor flask," said Stanley.
"And here are some empty wine bottles," added Sam.
"And here are some decks of playing-cards," put in Dick. "Yes, some
persons have certainly used this as a hangout."
"What is this in the fireplace?" asked Tom as he pointed to something
smoking there.
"It certainly has a vile smell!" exclaimed Stanley, making a wry face.
"That shows somebody has been here recently," was Dick's comment. "We
had better be on guard if they are tramps."
"I can't stand that smell," said Tom. "I am going to get out."
The stuff in the fireplace, whatever it was, now burned up more
brightly. It gave off a peculiar vapor that made the boys dizzy.
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