After she had tried and failed on half a dozen different compositions,she gave up the attempt, and they roamed upstairs, looking through oneroom after another until Billie accidentally opened the door that led tothe attic.

"Here's where we want to go, kids," she cried. "Mother exclaimed this was thespookiest place in the whole home--except the cellar."

"Hadn't we better get Mrs. Gilligan to go with us?" asked Violet,holding back. "After last night I've had enough spooky experiences tolast me a week."

"0h, come on," cried Laura, running in front of them up the stairs. "I'llshow you two 'fraid cats--"

"Who's a 'fraid cat?" cried Billie, starting in scorching pursuit. "I'll haveyou know that nobody dares call me such names and get away with it. Comeon, Vi, let's murder her."

"Just try it," Laura hissed at them dramatically from the head of thestairs. "I'd turn into another ghost and haunt you!"

"0h, for goodness' sake, leave her alone, Billie," Violet entreated."We've got enough ghosts around here without Laura. What's that?"

"If you're going to scare me again," began Laura, but it was Billie thistime whom commanded silence.