door made as we unfastened them, and
what an ominous shriek the lock gave as we turned the key! Our one hope
was that the ghost would have taken fright and vanished before we
reached the quadrangle. But no! As we stepped out into the damp breezy
night the first thing that met our eyes was the distant, restless figure
of Bubbles!

By one consent we halted, and as we did so a gust of wind extinguished
our leader's candle! What was to be done? I glanced up, and saw the
lights twinkling at the far distant dormitory window. Oh, whatever
possessed me to come on this wild errand!

"Now then, you fellows!" It was Fraser's voice, and more like himself
too. "Now then, stick all together and--"

"Better get a light first," suggested some one. "Will you run back to
the dormitory and get the matches?" asked our leader.

Nothing more was said about the light.

We advanced a few yards, and then halted again.

"Better speak to him, I think," said Lamb.

"All right," said Fraser. "Now then, who are you? What's your name
there?"

His voice sounded loud and startling in the night air; but it was wasted
breath. Never a word spoke Bubbles, but moaned as he struggled
restlessly on the ground where he lay.

Fraser's spirits were rising every moment. "Oh, hang it!" he exclaimed.
"I don't believe it's a ghost at all."

So saying, he made a further advance to within a few yards of the
apparition.

If it wasn't a ghost, it was the most unearthly thing in the dark I ever
saw as it lay there. We were still too far off to see it clearly, but
it looked like some bloated creature without legs trying its hardest to
rise on the feet that were not there.

"Do you hear?" shouted Fraser once more. "Why can't you speak and tell
us who you are?"

The creature gave a long sigh by way of answer, but no more.

Fraser advanced another step, and we were preparing to follow, when the
ghost slowly rose on end and made a sudden bound towards him!

In an instant we were back in the house, rushing pellmell up the stairs,
and looking neither this way nor that till we were safe back in the
dormitory with our companions.

We passed the remainder of that night dressed, and with candles burning,
and it was not till morning broke that we dared once more look out of
the window.

And then we discovered the mystery of Bubbles's ghost.

A small half-exhausted balloon, about five feet high, lay on the grass
below, with enough gas in it stil