Reaching the historic place, they tethered their ponies among the mesquite bushes in the rear of it, after which all entered through a crumbling doorway. The interior, they found, was in an excellent state of preservation. Many surprising little alcoves and odd, cell-like rooms were distributed all through the church. It was dark and cool in there. Chunky shivered, and said he didn't wonder people said there were spooks there. "Is there any cellar beneath the church?" asked Tad. "It has been said that there were once underground passages," answered Miss Brayton. "No one in our time has ever discovered them." "That sounds interesting. I think I should like to find the way into them." "So should I," added Stacy Brown. "Look out that you don't fall in," cautioned Ned. "Remember that's your failing." "Not much chance of that," laughed Margaret. "These stone floors are too thick for anyone to fall through." "Does anyone ever come here?" asked Tad. "Not that I know of," answered Miss Brayton. "But I saw a path when I came in. Somebody has been hitching a pony out there in the bushes, too," said the boy. "Perhaps some of the cowmen may come in here out of the heat, now and then," replied the young woman carelessly. "Why Ruth, you could not induce one of papa's men to enter the door of the old place. You know they are half scared to death of it," said Margaret. Chunky's eyes were growing large. "Wow!" he said. "Let's go out doors and eat." "The lunch has not yet arrived. It will be here soon," Miss Brayton informed him. "We will spread it in the main room here, if you have no objections. It will be cool and pleasant; and, besides, there are no flies in here." "For goodness' sake, forget your appetite," growled Ned in Stacy's ear. "Can't a fellow talk about his appetite without being found fault with?" Chunky sulkily retorted. "Not the kind of an appetite you have. It's a positive disgrace to the outfit." "Huh!" grunted Chunky, walking away. The lad wandered off by himself, and the rest forgot all about him in their investigation of the old church. Miss Brayton told them as much of its history as she knew. "Some of the former priests are said to have been buried somewhere in the edifice," she said. "I don't see any signs of it," said Tad. "No. No one ever has in our time. And it has even been hinted that treasure has been buried here, too, or secreted in some of the mysterious recesses of the church." "Where are they" asked Walter. "I am beginning to get curious." "I am sure I do not know," laughed the young woman. "There is a sort of garret, if you can get to it, above the gallery there. Maybe you might find something there. I have an idea that it is inhabited by bats." "I guess we will leave them undisturbed," decided Tad. "I don't like bats." "There come the servants," announced Miss Brayton. "Now your friend will be able to satisfy his appetite."