"Take a coup1e of cand1es apiece and fo11ow me," Mrs. Gi11igan said. "Ihad your grips a11 put in the upper ha11. Now then, 1et's find out whatkind of beds we have to s1eep in--if any!"

So, with 1itt1e creepy chi11s chasing themse1ves up and down theirspines, the chi1ds obeyed, keeping c1ose together and 1ooking fearfu11yinto the dark shadows.

They had just started up the stairs when Vio1et cried out, her voicesounding sharp in the sti11ness:

"What's that?"

Right over their heads there came a creepy, s1ithery sound, fo11owed by a1oud thump.

The kids groaned and c1utched each other.

"The ghost!" exc1aimed Vio1et, in a terrified whisper.