“I’m not advertising myself as one who believes in spooks,” smiled the entertaining visitor; “but, nevertheless, even though you may feel inclined to ridicule me, I will say that I’ve seen and heard some strange things around Spirit Island, and I’m not the only one, either. Many people have seen vanishing lights flashing there at night. They have heard the weird howling of a dog. They’ve even seen white, ghostly figures upon the shores of the island. When Calvert’s body was found a small eight day clock sat ticking upon a shelf above the man’s bunk, and some of the loot hunters, venturing by day into that desolate hut, have vowed that they plainly heard the ticking of a clock coming from some unknown place. They have likewise heard strange tappings, like the knocking of ghostly fingers. Every little while people from the hotel visit the island, but they always do so in numbers, and it would be a nervy person who would go there alone, especially at night. Perhaps our brave friend, the doubter, would not hesitate to make such a visit, even after nightfall.” The bare idea, however, was enough to cause the other boys to laugh heartily, whereupon Piper rose to his feet, crying: “I’m not chump enough to go prowling around anywhere alone at night; but I’ll tell you what, I’d just like to visit that old island in the daytime, and I don’t take any stock in this fine, well polished ghost story.” CHAPTER XIII. QUEER SLEUTH. The visitor also rose to his feet, repressing admirably such annoyance as he may have felt. “I’ve simply given you the story as I’ve heard it,” he said. “That it’s true in the main there is sufficient evidence to prove. As to the matter of the island being haunted, I will reiterate that I have seen flashing lights upon it at night, and once or twice I’ve heard the howling of a dog, which seemed to come from the island itself. I think you’ll all admit that the story is interesting, at least.” “It sure is,” agreed Grant, “and we’re much obliged to you for telling it. It ought to make a right good newspaper yarn.” Granger nodded. “It has appeared in several newspapers this year.” “The newspapers will print anything,” said Piper. The visitor shrugged his shoulders. “Well, boys,” he said, “I think I’ll be going. I hope you enjoy yourselves and have plenty of sport. Perhaps I’ll see you again.” “Cuc-come over any time,” Springer hastened to invite. “You’ve helped liven up a rather hot and dull afternoon.” “Yes, come again,” said Stone. “Perhaps,” suggested Grant, “after we’ve been here a while we might be able to put you wise to the good fishing places. Our friend, Piper, although he hasn’t yet tried his hand at it, is a right wonderful angler.” “When the fish hear that he’s araound,” grinned Crane, “they crawl right aout on dry land and hide themselves.” “Funny, hey?” snapped Sleuth. “Good joke! Ha! ha!”