es out through the window and made a search of the
grounds. The result was the same. Not a moving form was to be seen. But
as they returned toward the room, they once more heard those mysterious
footsteps.

"Stop!"

Frank laid a hand on Bart's arm, and both stood still and listened.

"Where does that seem to be?"

"Merry, that's coming from your room! The thing is in your room!"

Hodge's voice shook, in spite of himself.

Frank dashed toward the open window. But before he could reach it, the
sounds ceased. When he looked in, the room was empty. The light was
shining, and the door leading to the corridor was closed.

"No one could have got out of that room without our knowing it!"
Merriwell whispered. Hodge had reached his side, and both were staring
into the room.

"Of course not. The thing is impossible."

"And yet those footsteps sounded right here."

"Let's go in and take another look into the corridor."

For answer Merry drew Bart back into the shadows by the window.

"Keep still right here a little while. Perhaps the--the thing will
return. If some one is playing us a trick, we may capture him."

"I should like to lay my hands on the villain!" Bart hissed. Though they
stood there in utter silence for five minutes, the sounds did not come
again.

"Of course, there is some rational explanation of this," Merriwell
declared, as they again approached the window. "There must be! It is the
wildest nonsense to think otherwise."

"Well, I wish that rational explanation would hurry this way. I'm ready
for it, old man! This thing is shaking my nerves all to pieces."

"I didn't know you were troubled with nerves! Nerves are for hysterical
girls and old women!"

"Well, I've got 'em now! as the drunken man said when he began to see
snakes. I haven't any doubt about it."

Hodge so seldom indulged in a joke, that Merry looked surprised. They
had reentered the room, and he glanced at his friend in wonder.

"Likely that--thing will begin to walk again pretty soon," said Frank,
after they had remained another minute or so in a listening attitude.
"You sit here and watch by this window, while I slip into the corridor."

Hodge obediently dropped into the chair, and Merriwell let himself into
the corridor. He closed the door after him, so that if any one
approached or entered the corridor that person could not see him, and
began his vigil.

The silence was so great that he could hear his watch ticking away in