And then she heard a sound out in the road. It was a carriage being
driven rapidly.
"Perhaps that man went for some vehicle in which to take me away!"
thought the girl, aghast. "I had better not go out! What shall I do? My
light! I must put it out, or he'll see me," and she turned the flame of
the lantern down, leaving herself in darkness.
CHAPTER XIX
MYSTIFIED
"What can I do for you? What seems to be the trouble?" inquired the man
whom Betty and the others had hailed as they rushed to the door of the
strange house, and peered out into the darkness.
"We're in a haunted mansion, and the ghost has taken Mollie away!" cried
Grace, hysterically. "Please make him give her up. Oh, please do!"
But Betty paid no heed to her chum. Instead she exclaimed:
"Mr. Blackford! It's Mr. Blackford--the man who lost the five hundred
dollar bill!"
"What!" cried Amy.
"I certainly am that same Mr. Blackford," answered the young man, "and
if these aren't the Outdoor Girls, I miss my guess!"
"That's who we are--all but one of us," spoke Betty. "Oh, it's true.
Some one has Mollie a prisoner here! We tried to open the door, but
it's locked. Will you come and help us try to batter it down?"
"I certainly will. But what are you doing here? Are you camping?"
"Camping in a haunted house? I guess not!" exclaimed Grace. "The idea!
Oh, but it's good to have--a man!"
"Thank you!" laughed Mr.
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