It had been untenanted for some time, as the owners were in Europe, although both house and grounds were looked after by a care-taker.

On the other side of the street was a field where the small fry of Oakdale usually held their ball games.
"I always hate passing this old house," said Marian Barber.

"It is so terribly still back there among those pines.

I don't----" She stopped short, an expression of terror overspreading her good-natured face, as she mutely pointed toward the old house.

Three ghostly figures swathed in white stole out from the shadow of the pines and glided down the wide, graveled drive toward the gate.