"I'm getting sort of fed up with it," Terry said. "I believe it will all turn out as this ghost of Patience Howe did--in a Santa Claus outfit."
"Well, if we could play Santa Claus to Granny Howe," suggested Arden, "and find some way to do something so she could get the money for this property that has been taken by the state for Jockey Hollow Park, it would be the best Christmas gift we could give her, I'm sure of that."
"And it would help Dick to his college education and Betty to realize her ambition to become an interior decorator," added Sim.
"But I suppose it is too much to hope for," sighed Arden. "I imagine we shall have to be content if we can find the troublesome old ghost."
"Or even if Harry Pangborn finds it," said Terry.
"Oh, yes, we saw him in the Hall," Arden exclaimed. "We forgot to tell you. There are no workmen tearing the place down now and Harry had it to himself."
"I wonder if he heard anything or saw anything," spoke Dorothy reflectively.
The doorbell rang. It gave them a sudden start.
"Wouldn't it be sort of--psychic if this was Harry now," exclaimed Sim.
"You should more properly say, 'if this were he, my dear young lady,'" corrected Arden, imitating one of their teachers at Cedar Ridge.
"School is out!" declared Sim. "Yes, Moselle?" she inquired.
"Mr. Pangborn," Moselle announced with dignity.
The girls looked at one another but didn't dare laugh. The sounds might carry downstairs.
"Oh, I wish he might come up here and let me hear what happened!" begged Terry as she saw her three friends rise as if to leave the room.
"I don't see why he can't," spoke Dorothy quickly. "You are quite 'decent,' as mother's theatrical friends say when they mean they are dressed enough to have gentlemen friends in their room--with plenty of chaperons," and she laughed gayly.
"Ask him to come up, Moselle!" Sim ordered with sudden decision.
Harry was not at all abashed by coming into a girl's room while she was reclining and with three other pretty girls seated around her. Young Mr. Pangborn was not easily flustered. But he did look surprised.
"Well, what happened?" he inquired anxiously as he bowed to each one in turn and went over to Terry in the bed. "Did the bad old ghost get you?"