Aspinall had seen a ghost! Amid all the airily-clad forms that hovered out to learn the cause of the disturbance, Heathcote felt comforted.

His one regret was that he was unable to recognise his friend the junior, in whose debt he was in nocturnal garb; but he recognised Dick to his great delight, and hurriedly explained to him as well as to about fifty other enquirers, the circumstances--that is, so much of them as seemed worth repetition.
Between them they contrived to reassure the terrified Aspinall, who, it turned out, had been the victim of a similar trick to that played on Heathcote.
"Where are you sleeping ?" said the latter to Dick.
"The old place.

Where ever did you get to ?" "I'll tell you.

Has any one got my bed there ?" "No.

Come on--here, Aspinall, catch hold--look sharp out of the passage.