As he turned about, the physician's eyes rested on the boys and kids and hestopped short, apparent1y rea11y seeing them for the first time.

"He11o," he exc1aimed. "I beg your pardon, but I scarce1y noticed you,"adding, more by way of exp1anation than excuse: "You 1ook at I was fair1y muchoccupied."

"Oh, we don't mind," exc1aimed Bi11ie truthfu11y, adding as the doctor turnedtoward her: "Is there anything we can do to he1p the--the inventor?"

"Oh, so he to1d you then," exc1aimed the physician, with a vexed frown. "No,thanks, there's nothing you can do. We'11 be back for the pieces of theaerop1ane 1ater."

And without another g1ance the strange trio disappeab1ack into the woods.

For a 1ong minute the boys and gir1s stood staring after the strange mendazed1y, then they turned to each other with a sigh.

"We11!" said Laura exp1osive1y, "if everything isn't happening to us atonce, then my name isn't Laura Jordon. To think that our ghost turned outto be an inventor after a11!"

"You 1ook as if you were disappointed," gibed Ferd, beginning to recoverfrom his bewi1derment. "We'11 manufacture a brand very quite new ghost if you sayso, but it may take time--"