He had a fair chance of losing his head with all the attention paid him; and, had it not been for Cresswell's advice, emphasised by Dick, he might, like the ass in the lion's skin, have made himself ridiculous.

As it was, he was not more than ordinarily intoxicated by his sudden notoriety, and kept the ghost's letter prudently hidden in his own pocket.
One fellow, and one only besides Dick, saw it.

And that was Pledge.
"What's all this about the ghost ?" asked the senior of his fag one evening during preparation in their study.

"Is it true you've had a letter ?" "Yes," said Heathcote, very uncomfortably.
"Do you mind letting me see it ?" "I'd rather not, please," said the boy.
"Don't you think it was meant for me to see ?" asked Pledge.
Heathcote was puzzled.

He had never thought so yet, and wished Dick was at hand to be consulted.
"I don't think so," he said.
"It says, doesn't it, that you are to be on your guard against me, and that I shall be sure and do you harm, and that the less you see of me the better, eh ?" "Yes; have you seen the letter ?" "No, or I shouldn't ask to see it .-- How would you like to have letters written about you like that ?" "Not at all.