The Secrets of the Old Mansion

© 2011 Michael J. Benton. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/3/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2807-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2805-2 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011900134

Printed in the United States of America

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Contents to the secrets of the old mansion.

About the Book:

The Secrets Of The Old Mansion

By Mikael J. Benton

Second edition; March 2008

SETTING: - A small Fictional Town in Virginia.

YEAR: 1963

Length: Around 510 Pages.

Book One Of A Series

Copyrighted: May 1996 by Jacob Bethany

Txu 731-562

AUTHOR: Jacob Bethany – Pen Name,

Mikael J. Benton

NOTE: Although this book is fictional, some of the idea and events are based upon the personal life of the Author. Some cities, states, counties and places are real. This will give the reader a general idea of the time, place and era that the Author is using.

Written with all ages in mind, this story focus on secrets and mysteries which are uncovered when Mike Benton arrives in Ellisville to look over his inheritance of the huge three story Benton Mansion and the Plantation left to him by his late uncle, John Benton.

The three main characters are as following.

TWENTY FOUR YEAR OLD, MIKE BENTON

SEVEN YEAR OLD, RICKY OWENS

NINE YEAR OLD, JOSH ADAMS

NOTE: While this book is written with all age groups in mind, and while it is semi-Christian, and based upon the faith the boys and Mike have in the Lord, there are a few words and scenes which vary, but are the everyday life style of people.

This book is meant for entertainment and to help the readers, regardless of age, to know what it’s like just to be human.

Please enjoy the book. You will love it.

THE AUTHOR - Jacob Bethany

A LITTLE ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND THEIR LIFE STYLES FOUND IN THE BOOK.

Not long after the story opens, the easy going life style in this usually quiet and small Virginian Town is turned upside down when Mike arrives to check out his inheritance first hand.

First, Mike meets up with Josh and Ricky when he accidentally comes upon the boys who are sharing a cigarette between them near the old Benton Spring House.

After a somewhat surprised introduction, Mike invites the boys to explore the old Mansion with him. This is a dream coming true for Josh and Ricky; to go inside the "OLD MANSION" which has been boarded up for over twenty years.

Unfortunately, what they discover inside the mansion, unleashes a chain of mysterious events, which starts their Investigative Adventures.

Within one week’s time, the reader will be taken through a bank robbery, jewelry store robbery, a double kidnapping, a night of horror and much, much more.

You will meet such characters as eleven year old, Ralph Carr, a bully who likes to pick fights with Josh and Ricky at school. Aunt Martha, Ricky’s mother. Kathy Jones, Mike’s girlfriend. Sheriff Wayne, Mike’s best friend and schoolmate. The Cox Brothers, who get arrested for fraud and much more. Plus a lot of other colorful characters which you will enjoy meeting.

As the story ends, Josh and Ricky receive some rewards from the town of Apple Grove and the FBI for their part in solving the mystery.

The reader will be tempted to stand and cheer while wiping away tears of joy and suspense as the Spine Tingling Dramatic ending is bound to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.

THE AUTHOR - Jacob Bethany

PEN NAME - Mikael J. Benton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I was born in the small town of Blountville, Tennessee in Sullivan County, January 26. 1941. I was raised on a small hillside farm about three miles from the County Seat of Blountville.

There was myself, My mother and father, two older brothers and an older sister. We were poor folks compared to most standards, depending on what we raised from the farm to feed and support the family.

Being a Christian Family, we shared our love for each other in many ways. By the age of five, my mother had taught me how to read from the Bible.

By knowing how to read when I started school, my two favorite subjects were Reading and Math. I would read every newspaper, books and any other reading material I could get my hands on. In later years, it was my interest in reading, which inspired my desire to write.

Being the youngest, I received a lot of attention from my parents because they were up in years by the time I was born. This often caused me some friction from my brothers and sister but nothing serious.

At the age of nine I invited Jesus into my life to be my Saviour and Lord. At age ten, I announced my call to preach. I became what some folks call, A Boy Preacher.

In my late teens, I begin to stagger from the Faith I had as a young boy. However, I am happy to say my staggering didn’t last. Yet, during the time of my staggering, or out of fellowship with the Lord, I said and did things which I shouldn’t have said or done. But even in my backsliding, I never quit praying and believing in the Lord. I knew He was there as my Personal Saviour and as my Friend.

While I can’t say I’m perfect, for I’m not, at the age of sixty seven I still hold fast to my faith, and the calling which the Lord placed upon my life.

Like everyone else in life, I have made mistakes. Some of them serious ones but through it all, I have learned to better myself from those mistakes. To look forward toward a positive life style, which I can be proud of.

It was my interest in reading along with my faith in the Lord, which inspired me to write these books that I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading.

May God bless,

THE AUTHOR - Jacob Bethany

FORWARD TO THE SECRETS OF THE OLD MANSION

As a first time author I want my book to be an impressive one. Not just another mystery story with the same old stories with just a different title to them. I want to write about the life style of my characters. The very way they would act and be in every day life. Thus, I came up with the idea of an eight year old Whiz Kid by the name of, Ricky.

While I’m not a whiz kid myself, I have based all of my young characters on parts of my own life during my puberty and pre-puberty years and as a young teenager.

Ricky Owens and Josh Adams are the two main characters, along with myself, staring as, Cousin Mike in this first book I have written. Later, Ralph Carr will join our detective group.

The two boys, Josh and Ricky, are projected as two All-American boys who are out to enjoy life. Yet, they are not perfect characters as some kids are in other books. Despite all of that, the boys are projected as Christian Boys who go to church, sing in the youth choir; Ricky plays the organ during Sunday morning services. The two boys attend a Baptist Church and they have received and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and as their Friend.

The boys and Mike often find themselves in dangerous and difficult situations in which they have to use their wits, defensive weapons, and even do some praying to overcome.

Written with all age groups in mind, the story is focussed on secrets and mysterious events, which are discovered by the boys and Mike surrounding the old huge three stories Benton Mansion.

Even romance is plentiful as Mike meets up with, Kathy Jones, and the two of them fall in love. I believe every reader will enjoy every word as one story after another unfolds. Especially when the boys and Mike go from one adventure to another throughout not only The Secrets Of The Old Mansion, but in the other books which follows.

While being the Author, I also play a starting roll as, Mike Benton, or Cousin Mike. Now just sit back and enjoy the first excited adventure called, The Secrets of the Old Mansion.

Author - Jacob Bethany,

Pen Name, Mikael J. Benton

SYMOPSIS OF MANUSCRIPT

ENTITLED

** THE SECRETS OF

THE OLD MANSION **

SETTING: A small fictional town in Virginia.

YEAR: 1963

LENGTH: About 600 book size pages.

FIRST BOOK OF A CONTINUING SERIES.

REVISED 2nd. EDITION.

COPYRIGHTED: By Jacob Bethany

May 1996 Txu 731-562

AUTHOR: Jacob Bethany, pen name, Mikael J, Benton

NOTE; Although this book is fictional, some of the ideas and events are based upon the personal life of the Author. Some events, places and persons are also real.

This story is written with all age groups in mind. It focuses on secrets uncovered by Mike Benton after his arrival in Ellis County to look over his inheritance of the old Benton Plantation left to him by his late uncle, John Benton.

The Plantation has an old three-story mansion with a lot of tall tales about ghost and other exciting events that are just waiting for some one to discover them. So don’t be expecting anything but fun, side-splitting laughter, suspense and excitement. I recommend that readers of all ages should read this book and enjoy the good suspense and excitement the Author has created.

The story begins with a host of exciting events as Mike meets up with his young first cousin, seven year old, Ricky Owens along with Ricky’s friend and neighbor, nine year old, Josh Adams. Josh is a full-blooded Cheyenne Indian. Ricky has taught Josh a lot about the real facts of life, and would teach him more during their adventures with Mike. Mike is twenty-four and a FBI Agent. Ricky is a whiz kid who uses a lot of common sense to go along with his vast knowledge.

They stir up a lot of commotion when the story starts its way on a journey, which the boys and Mike take to try and solve the many exciting events which unfolds right before your eyes as you take the journey with them.

Mike is somewhat amused as he runs across his encounter of young Ricky and Josh. The two boys were having what they thought was a private smoke, and story telling cession when Mike wanders upon them at the old Benton Spring House where he finds the boys puffing on a cigarette.

The boys become greatly excited when Mike invites them to help him explore the old mansion with him and to help him solve some mysteries, which involves the old mansion along with the small town of Ellisville.

It all starts at the old mansion, which has most of its entrances, boarded up and blocked off. The mansion has been closed for almost twenty-five years. That is in according with what his Attorneys has told him. However, the old mansion brings out a lot of adventures, exciting and thrilling events for this small town. Starting with some robberies and kidnappings along with a night of horror and much more.

The boys, Ricky and Josh, are in their puberty and pre-puberty years and are not projected as being perfect. Instead they are projected as two all American boys with a rambunctious curiosity

However, they do have faith in their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, go to church, and believe in doing that which is right.

As you read this story, you will see and find out how Ricky’s faith gets him through the many dangerous and difficult situations he finds himself, Josh and Mike in.

Ricky, Josh and Mike are the three main characters in the story. But there are a few other characters, which have some valuable and somewhat dangerous situations, which reflects on the course the story takes from time to time.

One such character is Martha Owens, mother to Ricky and known to the kids in the neighborhood as, Aunt Martha. Martha is a gentle warm-hearted lady who worries about the boys and Mike in their cases of life threatening and dangerous situations. She is the sister of Mike’s mother and has a character that is enchantment factor of this heart-warming story.

Romance is certainly a factor and an exciting part of the book with Kathy Jones who is the owner and operator of a small restaurant in town. Mike falls in love with Kathy and Kathy with him.

The boys and Mike find themselves stopping in quite often for food and to enjoy the company of the fine good looking sweet talking Lady. Kathy and Mike get pretty close to each other as the story continues. Plus, Kathy has a way of steering the boys out of their habit of smoking and other things that they sometimes get into.

Another interesting character is none other than the Sheriff, Joey Wayne. Joey is Mike’s formal classmate and his best friend. The Sheriff has known Josh and Ricky for several years. He deputies the boys as Junior Deputies and as Mike’s Deputies because of their abilities to piece together the events and puzzling situations which are taking place around the small town.

Then of course, you have colorful characters like James and John Cox that are brothers in the real-estate business. It seems they just can’t keep out of trouble with the Law and the good citizens of the city. Their mean and evil ways is what keeps everything in kayos and turned upside down.

With the help of Mac Morris, a known terrorist, who joins them in their evil ways, the three men are arrested for fraud, robbery and more.

THEN Ralph Carr comes on the scene as an eleven-year-old boy who bullies Ricky and Josh around until some more excited and humorous events unfold. Being an abused child, Ralph ends up in Mike’s custody, and ends up with a changed life style which turns out for the better.

At the close of all this excitement, the town of Apple Grove gives Ricky and Josh some rewards for their part in rescuing the bank’s money and capturing some of the bad criminals. Then there is Ted Williams who is a FBI Agent. He has some rewards for the boys too. Two of the criminals are on the US most wanted list.

As you read this spine tingling dramatic story, it is bound to have you cheering, while tears of joy and suspense run down your face. Remember; go pick up your copy today.

This synopsis was written after reading the Dramatic Mystery Called, THE SECRETS OF THE OLD MANSION. I am amazed how the Author has put together such enjoyable material as is in this book. Let me remind you once again, that reading this book is a must for every reader.

Darreell Buttery.

DEDICATIONS

This Book is dedicated to five of the finest people I know.

To my sister, Velma Hilton. May God continue to bless you, Sis is my prayer.

In memory of my Brother-in-lay, Jack Hilton. Jack liked to sing praises to his Lord, Jesus Christ. Now he sings around God’s Throne.

To my nephew, Jack Hilton. May many more souls be saved as you continue to preach God’s Word to the lost. Jackie. May God bless you and your family.

To David Lovelace who is my beloved friend in the Lord. May the Lord continue to bless you in your ministry.

To Jack Morris who is also a beloeved friend. May the Lord bless and keep you Brother Jack is my prayer.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to acknowledge my friend, Darrell Buttry, by saying, Thank you, Darrell for your help in binding these unedited books together for me. I appreciate you greatly.

I want to acknowledge my friend, Darrell Swinney, by saying, "Thank you, Darrell for your help, time and for loaning me your typewrite to run out these copies of my manuscript. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.

I want to say, Thanks to my nephew, Jackie Hilton, who saw to it that I had a typewriter to type my books on. Thanks, Jackie, I appreciate you.

I want to say Thanks to Mrs. Green and Tracy, our Librarians here at Northeast for their encouragement to step out and start writing these mystery books. Thanks, Tracy. Thanks, Mrs. Green."

I also want to thank my friends, Jack Morris and David Lovelace for their help in getting this book published. Thanks Brother Jack, Thanks Brother David, I appreciate both of you.

CAST OF CHARACTERS TO

THE SECRETS OF THE OLD MANSION

JACOB BETHANY AS,

MIKAEL J. BENTON - AS MIKE.

Mike is both the Author and the twenty-four year old multimillionaire who inherits the Seventeenth Century Mansion and Plantation. Mike also stars as Ricky’s first cousin.

RICKY OWENS - AS THE WHIZ KID.

Ricky stars as the seven-year-old Whiz Kid. He is also the owner of the Old Ellis Estate. He lives with his mother, Martha Owens in the old Ellis Homestead.

JOSH ADAMS

Josh stars as Ricky’s best friend. Josh is a full-blooded Cheyenne Indian. Josh lives across a clover field from Ricky’s house with his Mom and Dad, Bill and Sue Ellen Adams in the old Ellis Rental House.

MARTHA OWENS

Ricky’s mother and known to all the kids in the neighborhood as, Aunt Martha.

MRS. JOHNSON

The Owens’ housekeeper. Mrs. Johnson knew Mike’s late Uncle John and his Grandfather, Jeff Benton.

SHERIFF, JOEY WAYNE

Mike’s best friend and old schoolmate, Joey is the Sheriff of Ellis County.

KATHY JONES

Kathy owns a restaurant in town, and she is Mike’s Girlfriend. Kathy knows about the New Interstate Highway and about the ore that has been found on the Plantation and the Homestead.

RALPH CARR

Ralph is an eleven-year old abused boy who is constant in trouble with the Law; and, he is a bully who tries to pick fights with Ricky and Josh. Ralph knows a lot about the criminals and the two kidnapped kids.

JOHN & JAMES COX

Brothers in the real estate Business, they want the Plantation and the Homestead bad enough they are willing to commit murder to get them.

GENE CROSS

A friend of the Cox’s who shoots at innocence kids.

MAC MORRIS

A known terrorist and a kidnapper

SAM OVERTON

His greed for money, cost him his freedom

MARY LOU

Ricky’s ten year old girlfriend who shows him her under panties and more

MARGARET

Josh’s girlfriend

LINDA SIMPSON

Ralph’s girlfriend and the Mayor’s Daughter, Linda was the Homecoming Queen for Ellisville Elementary this past year.

JAY AND MACK

Sheriff Wayne’s two most trusted Lieutenants

GENE AND CARL

Joey’s two most trusted Deputies

CHIEF BILL BRIGHT

Bill is the Chief of Police in Ellisville

CHIEF ROBERT MADISON

Chief of Police in Apple Grove, Chief Madison has some rewards for Ricky and Josh

TED WILLIAMS

FBI Man. Ted also has some rewards for the two boys

BILLY OSBORNE

A Bell Hop; Billy fails to tell what he knows about the criminals, and regrets that he didn’t tell

FRED

Owner and Manager of Fred’s Motel. Like Billy, he refuses to tell what he knows about one of the criminals

SUE MARTIN

Sue is kidnapped to keep her Father from testifying against the bank robbers

TOMMY GREER

One of Ricky’s friends who likes to kiss Mary Lou

MAMA CAT

A Wildcat, whose babies are born in a room in the Old Mansion. Mama thinks she owns the Mansion instead of Mike

Contents

1. Ricky Meets His Cousin, Mike

2. What Was That

3. The Warning Note

4. Inside The Old Mansion

5. Trouble In Town

6. Mike’s New Deputies

7. Rattlesnakes

8. A Bomb Goes Off

9. A New Set Of Wheels

10. The Dummy!

PART ONE: Who Moved Him?

11. The Dummy

PART TWO: Who Moved Him?

12. Kitty Cats

13. Terror In The Dark

14. Billy Is Missing

15. The Poor Little Rich Kid

16. A Close Call For Billy

17. The Fight

18. Shootout With The Bad Guys

PART ONE: Ricky’s Suggestion

19. Shootout With The Bad Guys

PART TWO Shoot Out

20. Shoot Out With The Bad Guys

PART THREE: Rescued

21. Ralph Makes A Decision

22. The Boys Disapper

PART ONE: Ralph And Josh

23. The Boys Disappear

PART TWO: Where Is Ricky?

24. On The Trail Of Dangerous Men

25. Jewels, Money And Arrests

26. Party Time, And Rewards

27. The Missing Pieces

28. The End Of The Beginning

THE SECRETS OF

THE OLD MANSION

By: Mikael J. Benton

 CHAPTER ONE:

 Ricky Meets His Cousin, Mike

Ricky, are you scared of ghosts? Nine-year-old Josh Adams asked of his best friend and neighbor, seven-year-old, Ricky Owens.

Ricky was still seven but his eighth birthday was just twelve days away on the tenth day of June. Josh had turned nine this past Friday, the twenty-fourth of May.

I don’t know, Josh. I have never seen a ghost before. Ricky answered his best friend.

The two boys were sitting in a glider in Ricky’s backyard. For more than an hour the boys had been passing a football and a baseball. Getting tired of that, they sat down in the glider to rest.

This was the first full day of summer vacation and the boys were glad to be out of school for the next three months. Both boys were full of plans for the summer. Of course, their plans meant being together all the time they possibly could.

Josh was a full-blooded Cheyenne Indian boy standing four foot seven inches tall. He had long thick black hair and black eyes which often sparkled with excitement and mischief. Ricky, on the other hand, was a tall pale skinned boy with bright yellow hair that curled up behind his neck and ears. He reminded you of General Custer. In fact, Josh sometimes called him, General.

Ricky stood about a foot taller than Josh at five foot seven in his bare feet. He was a very handsome boy with bright blue eyes that caused all the young girls at school to whisper about him. They would cast shy glances at the young boy and somehow, they seemed to get quite excited about him.

There was something else about Ricky. Some of his classmates got irritated at him because he was a WHIZ KID. He made straight A’s in school.

Ricky’s IQ was close to 200 standing at 187. He seemed to have an answer to almost any question he was asked. Not only that, he had passed two grades this year and could have passed even more.

Both boys would be in the fourth grade this fall. Josh was glad about that. While some of the kids had a problem with Ricky’s high IQ, Josh didn’t.

Despite the fact about Ricky’s vast knowledge the two boys were the best of friends. Josh actually welcomed Ricky’s knowledge because he used it to better his own abilities. The two boys had become the best of friends the very first day Josh had moved into the Old Ellis Rental House that sat across a big green clover field from Ricky’s own home. The two houses were about a hundred-fifty feet from each other.

Let’s go down to the ‘Old Mansion’, Ricky. Maybe, we’ll see some sign of Old Man John Benton’s Ghost. Josh suggested, standing up.

Ricky was still leaning back in the corner of the glider. Josh, he said, You know we aren’t supposed to go down there.

I know why you don’t want to go down there. You’re to scare to go. Anyway, nothing has ever stopped you from going places you weren’t supposed to go before. Josh shot back at him.

It isn’t the fact I’m scared, and you know it. Just to remind you, I have been places you wouldn’t dare to go. Do you remember what Reverend Sharp preached about last Sunday? In case you’ve forgotten, it was about obeying your parents. Anyhow, how come you want to go down there? asked Ricky.

While he was talking to Josh, Ricky got up out of the glider. He was wondering why Josh wanted to go down to the Old Mansion.

I remember what he preached about. Josh replied with a smile. But I like to explore around that old place. While we have never been inside the mansion before, I wish we could get inside that huge old building. Anyhow, I have a whole cigarette we can share. Josh went on to say with a bigger grin on his face, for he was very much aware of how much Ricky liked to smoke.

Smoking was one of the few things Ricky would do behind his Mother’s back. Of course, there were several things he did and said that he wasn’t supposed to do or say. All boys did things they couldn’t tell their mothers. Josh and Ricky sometimes found themselves in trouble, or some sort of mischief that they shouldn’t have done. Despite all of that, the two boys were just the everyday average American boys who loved to have fun. In fact, the two boys were well behaved compared to some kids their age.

Ricky and Josh attended the First Baptist Church in Ellisville where Reverend William Sharp was the pastor. Both boys had just recently received Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior. Not only did the boys attend the Church Services; Ricky played the organ during the Sunday Morning Worship Service and Josh sang in the youth’s choir. Playing the organ was just one of Ricky’s many talents. While the boys weren’t perfect, they were two good Christian boys who believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Ricky lived with his mother, Martha Owens; in the old two stories Ellis House that was called, The Homestead. The Homestead was part of the Ellis Estate.

The original Ellis Estate covered about twenty-one hundred acres and more than fifteen hundred acres of it belonged to Ricky. He was the chief heir to the original Estate.

Part of the Estate belonged to his Mother, Martha Owens. Martha had sold a hundred acres of the land, along with the Old Ellis Rental House, to the Adams’ Family. The Adams’ Family included Josh, his mom, Sue Ellen, and his dad, Bill. Bill and Sue Ellen were partners in the antique business. Bill Adams was famous for his old fashion antiques.

The Old Ellis Estate was on the right of the Old Ellis Road that ran south from the Ellisville-Richmond Highway to U.S. Route 64 and sometimes was called the Charlottesville–Richmond Highway. Both the Ellisville and the Charolettesville Highways ran back together about twenty-five miles east of the Homestead. The two highways divided just west of the town of Ellisville. The town had a population of about 20,000 people. It was considered a small Virginian Picturesque Town.

Ricky’s eyes lit up when Josh mentioned the cigarette. You mean you have a whole genuine cigarette? Not a rolled up one? Gee! Let’s go! Who’s afraid of any old ghost anyway? said Ricky, as he made his way toward the back door of the Homestead.

Mom? Mom? Hey, Mom? He called loudly through the screen door of the kitchen.

This brought his mother to the back door. What are you yelling about, Ricky? She asked him.

Mrs. Owens was a lovely lady who was in her late thirties. She had blond hair that was almost as yellow as Ricky’s. She was a good-looking lady who adored her only Son.

Josh and I want to go for a hike and to look for some craw-dads down by the North Benton Creek. Is this okay with you? Ricky asked as he gave his Mother a big hug of affection.

I guess so just as long as you two stay away from that old mansion. Make sure you are back here by twelve thirty for lunch. I plan on fixing hamburgers and french-fries. His Mom answered, with a smile.

The boys’ eyes lit up at the mentioned of burger and fries. Oh boy! Hamburgers and french-fries! We’ll be sure to be back by twelve thirty, Mrs. Owens, you can count on that. Josh said, smiling at Mrs. Owens while rubbing his belly.

The two boys ran up the driveway and across the road into a big green clover field. Once in the field they came to an old wagon trail that followed the creek crisscrossing it on several occasions before leading to and by the huge old mansion which was about two miles away.

Ricky’s father, Mark Owens, had died of a heart attack about three years ago. Ricky had just turned five at the time. Since the death of his father Ricky and his Mom had stayed on here at the Homestead. Martha Owens was trying to raise her son up to be a good Christian Boy. She was doing the best she could to see that he became a good Christian man. Just in her late thirties, Martha Owens was already known by most of the children in the community as, Aunt Martha. Ricky was well liked by the grownups in the community as well. Ricky loved his mother just as much as she did him. They were best friends to each other. As far as Aunt Martha was concerned, raising Ricky was a full time job. This was one of the reasons she hadn’t remarried. Another one was, she just didn’t want to be married.

About a month after Mark Owens’ death, the Adams Family had shown up. They wanted to buy the old Rental House and some land to go with it. So, Aunt Martha sold them the house and a hundred acres of land to go with it.

Josh had become a great help to Ricky who was missing his father real bad. The two boys had become fast and good friends the same day the Adams had moved in. With both boys being an only child, they had become more than just friends. They had become brothers to each other Indian style at that.

Now, as the two boys were walking down the old wagon trail, Ricky returned Josh’s question to him.

Josh, do you believe in ghosts? I’ll bet that you do.

Josh skipped a rock across a wide space in the creek before he answered Ricky. I really don’t know. I’m sort of like you. I have never seen a ghost before either. I have heard some people say that they had seen Old Man John’s Ghost but I don’t believe them. However, my Dad says there are some weird things going on down here at the old mansion. That is one reason he told me to stay away from it. He is afraid those weird people might harm me. He said he would take a belt to my ass if he ever caught me near or in the place. Josh answered with a smile at Ricky.

Well, personally, I’m not sure I believe in ghosts myself. I do believe in the Holy Spirit and according to the Bible there are other spirits too. Ricky spoke up as they came in sight of the mansion.

"I don’t know if I believe in ghosts or not. Like you, I do believe in the Holy Spirit. All of my Ancestors believe in spirits. Besides that my Dad has told me some real scary ghost stories in which he claims to be true.

But concerning Old Man John’s Ghost I think it is all a pack of lies that people have made up to scare other folks away from the mansion especially us kids. Like my Dad, I think something bad is going on down here. Maybe, there is a mystery which we don’t know about yet. Josh said gazing at the old mansion, which was still about a mile from them.

Josh was spending the next five days or so with Ricky. His Mom and Dad were going out of town later on this evening on one of their business trips. Josh didn’t want to go with them so he was staying here with Ricky. This meant the two boys had plenty of time on their hands to get into some kind of mischief. To Ricky and Josh, getting into mischief just came natural to them.

Lately they had been talking about solving a mystery, that is, if one should come their way. There were a few things they knew which could be called a mystery. But they needed an older person to help them with those mysteries. Plus Josh believed there was some sort of mystery going on down here at the mansion now.

Ricky was in agreement. You remember yesterday when we were getting out of school that two people supposedly kidnapped Sue Martin and took her away in a car? Well, maybe they brought her down here to the mansion. Ricky said.

I agree. But we haven’t heard anything on the news about her being kidnapped. It could be some of her kinfolks picked her up. But wouldn’t it be neat if we could rescue her if she was kidnapped? Josh said as his eyes lit up with the thought of solving the mystery.

Ricky’s mind had returned to other thoughts. There was one thing he had learned about himself. And that was, being a Whiz Kid wasn’t all that it was cut out to be. None-the-less it did have its advantages. Ricky had started reading by the age of three. By the age of five he was able to read about any subject his heart desired to read. Reading was how he had gained so much knowledge in his nearly eight years of life.

While he had read all about the facts of life and how reproduction was done, his favorite book was the Bible. There were so many good stories in the Bible about David and Jesus. Ricky had the faith to believe what he read in the Bible was the truth, especially, the things Jesus said, did, and talked about Himself.

The two boys were talking about different things as they made their way toward the old mansion. One of the things they talked about was the incident about Sue Martin. Sue was a ten-year-old fifth grader who attended Ellisville Elementary with Ricky and Josh.

I still believe Sue was kidnapped, don’t you, Josh? Those two men sure drove away in a hurry yesterday. Some of the kids said those two men forced her to get into the car. I wonder why nothing has been said about it on the news. Ricky spoke up, revealing his thoughts about it.

I believe she was kidnapped, too, but like you said, why wasn’t it mentioned on the news? Another question is who kidnapped her? That is, if she was kidnapped? Josh said, looking at Ricky.

I don’t know who would kidnap her or why. But I believe she was. Hey! I do have an idea! You remember hearing about the bank robbery that happened in Apple Grove last week? Well, Sue’s father, Mr. Martin is a Teller at the bank. Wow! Maybe you are right. Those men might have kidnapped her and brought her down here to the old mansion. It would make a good hide-out since no one lives near here. Ricky spoke up excitingly.

Just like kids could do, the two boys went on to another subject altogether different. However, Ricky would have cause to remember Sue later on this evening. This wasn’t the boys’ first trip down here to the mansion. They often came down here to talk, smoke and to explore around the place. Actually, they just came down to the old springhouse. They had never been inside the huge courtyard of the mansion. And of course, they had never been inside the old mansion. It wasn’t because they didn’t want to get inside the mansion for they did. It was because they were scared. Plus, there was the fact their parents had told them to stay out of it.

The old wagon trail they were traveling on was part of the Benton Plantation. The Plantation had last belonged to John Benton, the oldest son of Jeff Benton. Jeff had been both a Sheriff and a Judge during the 1920’s and early ‘30’s. The boys followed the trail which led through a patch of woods before opening out into some more clover and alfalfa fields. Several of the fields had long ago grownup with tall grass and underbrush. No one had farmed the plantation since the death of John Benton but there were two caretakers still living on the place.

Just as the Old Ellis Estate ran along the right side of the Old Ellis Road coming from the Ellisville Highway, the huge *Benton Plantation[1] ran along the left side of the road. Both estates ran the full ten-mile length of the road. Twenty-four year old Mike Benton was the heir to and the present owner of the plantation. Mike, who was already known as a young multimillionaire and Federal Agent, had just recently taken charge of his inheritance of the Benton Plantation. He had taken it over after the death of his father, Charles Benton, who had been the overseer of the estate since the death of his brother, John. Mike had been heir to the place since before John’s death in ’37. Mike being the only heir, and only son of Charles Benton, had been heir to the place even before he was born.

Unknown to the boys Mike was already in the town of Ellisville. In fact, while the boys were looking for crawdads, Mike was already on his way to the Plantation to look over his property. As Mike was leaving the city the boys were still talking about ghosts and other subjects. They had stopped at a good place in the creek to find some crawdads. While they were talking, Ricky took a look at the old mansion. Then he looked at Josh.

Our housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, he begin, looking at Josh who was holding up a big crawdad who had at least an inch and a half pincher on him. She said that old man John’s Ghost has been seen by a lot of people who were either hunting or sightseeing around the old mansion. Ricky went on to say as he caught a big crawdad of his own.

Letting the crawdad go, the boy stood up to throw a rock at a woodpecker that was