Frank could not believe that with everything that had happened that it was now almost 6am and there was no sign of anything happening at all in the hospital. The older Hardy figured that the brothers would be up all night chasing creaks and crashes, but not a sound was ever heard--- except for the occasional laugh or jabber from his younger brother. Frank enjoyed hearing what his brother had to say in his sleep. Sometimes Frank could carry on full conversations with Joe in his sleep. When the boys awoke in the morning, Frank would get a big kick out of telling Joe what he had agreed to doing for him in his sleep. He was about to roll over and sleep at least until daybreak at around 7:30am when he heard a loud bang. It sounded like it was down by the nursery. Waiting to see if he heard it again, Frank listened intently. It was then that he heard the sound of something moving around down the hall.

"Joe," Frank whispered as he quietly tried to wake his slumbering brother up.

"What?" Joe finally came back after a couple of hard jabs to the ribs.

"I heard something in the nursery area. We need to go and check it out," Frank whispered back.

"It is too early to go and check things out," Joe whined. "I am so comfortable here. Do you know how hard these floors really are even with the sleeping bag and a foam bed under me."

"Whatever. You can just stay here then. I am going down there," Frank said as he got up and grabbed his lantern light.

Joe laid there for a minute and noticed that his older brother was already up and already walking towards the nursery. It was then Joe realized that left him all alone. The younger brother jumped up and was on Frank’s heels in seconds, ready to investigate.

"So you finally decided to get up and be a detective?" Frank quipped, knowing Joe did not want to be left alone in the huge building.

"I couldn’t let anything happen to you, you know. I mean, what would I tell mom and dad?"

"Yeah… right," Frank said with a smirk and continued down the hallway.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

Both brothers stopped in there tracks.

"I thought you said it was coming from the nursery! That sounds like it is coming from inside the room next to it. You know, one of those locked rooms we were wondering about earlier," Joe whispered to his brother.

"I know. We are going to have to go in and see what is causing that banging," Frank said with confidence.

"Can’t we just pretend we didn’t hear it?" Joe whined. "I am going to be honest Frank. I am still a little freaked out over things."

"Is Joe Hardy, ace detective afraid of bumps in the night?"

"NO! That is not what I said."

"Good, I thought I had Chet behind me for a second," Frank commented, recalling the brothers’ best friend. Chet was Joe’s girlfriend’s brother and was a loyal friend of the Hardys. He had helped them on many cases and was always there to lend a helping hand. But Chet was never one to get himself in the line of fire, at least not on purpose. But he had often rescued the brothers from many tight spots despite his fear

WHAM! WHAM! WHHHAMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Frank was now certain of the door that they needed to open. He motioned for Joe to get on the other side of the door. Then Frank mouthed his directions.

"On the count of three, we are going to ram the door together," he mouthed in the light of the lantern. Joe nodded.

Frank held up one finger….two fingers… then the third.

Both boys sprang forward with all the force of the Bayport front offensive line. The old door gave way and easily gave way with the massive force.

Joe was through the door first, but he did not have time to take in the sights. Before he could even react, a pair of strong cold hands grabbed him from behind and jerked his feet right off the floor.

"FRANK!" He yelled as he fought the steel grip of his attacker. However, Frank had met a similar fate on the other side of the room, except his attacker had his hand firmly across his mouth.

"FRANK!" Joe shouted out again, still fighting to get free from his attacker.

"I would have thought my boys would not have fallen for that old trick," a familiar voice spoke out from behind Frank.

"DAD?" Joe called out in disbelief. His attacker had let him go and turned on his own flashlight. There standing right behind Frank was Fenton Hardy. Fenton busted out laughing along with the voice behind Joe. It was then that Joe realized it was no other than Professor Zane.

"Were you afraid that a ghost got you?" Professor Zane laughed. "In my studies of ghosts, I have never heard of one having a fight with a human being."

Frank and Joe just stood in their spots and looked at each other. They could not believe that they had allowed themselve to be taken in by their father. Soon the whole group was chuckling over the set up.

"So this was all a set up?" Frank asked as they made their way back to the lobby area.

"Actually no," the professor spoke up. "I am going to exam the tapes and I did need someone to set them up for me while I tabulated the results from my office computer link. But I just needed to gather a little bit of information."

"You mean you got some readings?" Joe asked.

"I am not sure, I still have to exam the results and view the video footage and listen to all the audio tapes. That will take at least a week," the professor admitted. "I have been studying this building for quite some time now. It is just that I have to report my findings to my supervisor next month to conclude the study on this building."

"So we did complete a job then? We were just not set up to be scared out of our wits by our father?" Frank asked with a grin. Everything all made sense now and that made Frank feel 100% at ease with the world again.

"Yes, and you did a great job! I also loved the finale… sneaking right past you two… getting into the room and banging and clanging around like a pair of….. of…." Fenton stopped himself, trying to think of the proper word for his thoughts.

"Ghosts?" Joe added.

"Yeah, it is fun to play ghosts. This building makes it even more enjoyable!" Fenton said with a jolly laugh. "Right now, you need to get packed up so we can head out of here. The professor says he has some sights to show us before we have to head back. Not to mention he thought you guys might enjoy the big block party that the city has every Halloween."

‘Did I hear the word "party"?" Joe quipped as he hurriedly gathered his things.

"Yep! Athens is famous for their unofficial Halloween block party that is held every Saturday night around Halloween. It just so happens that tonight is the night!" Professor Zane added. "All you have to do is get yourself some costumes!"

Both boys were excited about their daily and nightly plans. It was exactly what they needed… fun and excitement of the leisurely type.

"We have to go and get the equipment first," Frank added as they finished up the last of the packing of their personal things.

"We already got that taken care of!" Fenton said with a smile. "I honestly figured you would have heard us rummaging all around this place."

"I have to ask. How did you pull of the trick on me in the lobotomy room?" Joe asked.

"What trick?" Fenton replied with a puzzled look.

Joe told him about what happened in the lobotomy room. Then he told them what happened to Frank in the cemetery. Both the professor and Mr. Hardy listened to the stories very intently. When Joe finished, everyone stood there in silence.

"So, how did you do it?" Frank almost pleaded.

That is when Fenton and Professor Zane stopped in their tracks and their faces turned serious.

"Um, boys. We didn’t do that. We just got here maybe an hour or so ago," Fenton said with a serious tone.

"So you were not the one who held me down in that room?" Joe asked softly.

Fenton shook his head. "We also know nothing about the cemetery incident either."

Both Hardy brothers looked at each other. It was then that they realized that their night of mishaps were not explained.

"There have been similar incidents reported to me by many students who have came up here and were a part of my study. I have had many run ins myself with Lady Brackman and even Elizabeth. I have also met other enties that live in those walls. So the study portion of this job was true boys. It looks like you have had a supernatural experience and when we get back to the office, I would like to tape a quick interview with the both of you," Professor said as they got near the cars.

Not much more was said between the group as they got into the cars and headed back to the university. Frank and Joe did not say a word as they stood by their car and did one last glance back at the old building.

The sun was starting to rise, but the darkness was still holding on to the night.

"So, what do you think Frank?" Joe finally asked as they both stood there, just watching the whole building.

"There has to be an explanation for everything. There just has to be Joe," Frank answered.

"Frank, I think that sometimes there are things that even the best of detectives can explain," Joe replied.

"I think you have said one of the most intelligent things I have ever heard you say, little brother!" Frank said with a laugh.

"HA! HA! Frank." Then both boys looked back again. It was then that a figure was seen in the nursery window. It looked like a nurse holding a baby and helping the baby to wave to them. Both boys stood there, paralyzed at the sight.

"Do you see that Frank?"

"Yeah."

"What do you think?’

"I think that we just wave back, keep this to ourselves and go and have a good time in Athens and leave the spirits to roam these halls in peace."

"You know, that IS the most intelligent thing YOU have EVER said!" Joe quipped as both boys waved back with a smile, got in the rented sedan and made their way down from the famous "House on the Hill".

The End!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY!!

WHEW!!!!!!!!!

NOW IT IS PARTY TIME!!!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and one thing our dear readers…….. If there is something strange in your neighborhood, who are you going to call??????????????????????????

THE HARDY BROTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now that is the end ;>)