It was the appearance of the sky which frightened them. The sun had been entirely blotted from sight, and though it was mid-afternoon, it seemed nearly as dark as night. Dave snapped on the headlights. “I’ll get you to Locked Gates before the storm breaks,” he announced in relief as they rounded a sharp curve and came within sight of Rumson. “Fortunately, the place is right at the edge of town.” A few minutes later, he brought the car to a groaning halt in front of the old Gates estate. In the gathering darkness the girls caught but a glimpse of the large, rambling house which was set back some distance from the road, but that was sufficient to assure them that it was gloomy and forbidding. “Here you are,” Dave said briskly. “Nice place for a murder!” “Ugh!” Doris murmured. “You make my hair stand on end!” “I almost wish we hadn’t come,” Kitty said nervously. “Oh, everything’s all right. I was only joking.” Dave sprang from the car and went over to try the double gates which barred the entrance. “Just as I thought! Locked!” “Then how are we to get in?” Doris questioned. “There’s an entrance at the rear. Guess these gates are always kept locked. We’ll try the other gate.” Driving the roadster down a side street, he found the back entrance and helped the girls to alight. As he picked up their suitcases to take them to the door, Doris glanced again at the storm clouds. A streak of lightning flashed across the sky, and she knew that unless Dave started back at once, he would be caught in the rain. “Don’t bother to take us to the door,” she commanded. “Start for Chilton this minute!” “I don’t like to leave you here until I know everything is O. K.,” he protested. “It’s only a step to the door, Dave. Be a good boy and don’t wait.” “Well, since you insist, I will start, because it looks like a storm and the roads may get slippery.” Hastily the three said goodbye and Dave sprang into the roadster. He slammed the door shut and was gone before the girls had managed to unfasten the gate. “It does look spooky,” Kitty quavered. Doris laughed uncertainly. She managed to open the gate and it swung back on creaking hinges. A sudden breath of wind struck her face and went whistling through the trees. The house, half-hidden by shrubbery, was shrouded in deepest gloom, and no light glimmered from the windows. Doris hesitated as she picked up her suitcase. Kitty held back, and even Wags seemed reluctant to venture down the path. “Come on, Kitty,” Doris admonished, “Everything is all right.” As she spoke, a gust of wind whined through the trees, and to the girls it sounded strangely like the wailing of a human being in distress. “Oh, I don’t like it here,” Kitty murmured timidly. “I’m afraid.” “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Kit. Just follow me.”