"Such dreadful shrieks have never before assailed my ears--never! They are certainly cries of mortal agony!" "Oh, you can go to your room, and lock yourself in, if you are afraid!" came scornfully from the tall professor's lips.
"Who's afraid!" bristled the little man, instantly.

"You will find I am not afraid of you, sir! I am ready to----" "Gentlemen! gentlemen, silence!" came commandingly from Professor Gunn's lips.

"I will not have this unseemly bickering! If you are ready, come on." So they moved toward the stairs, High Jinks resolutely keeping by Professor Gunn's side, while Hot Scotch lingered a little in the rear, clinging to the tail of the head professor's coat.
Just as they reached the foot of the stairs and were about to ascend, feet were heard rushing along the corridor above, and then Barney Mulloy came plunging down the stairs, with Hans Dunnerwust riding astride his neck, both in their nightclothes, with a few crawfish still clinging to them.
The three professors were unable to get out of the way, so the frantic boys plunged straight into them, and all fell in a struggling, squirming mass on the floor..