“And I’m glad to be a junior still,” replied Jane.  “Judith and I decided on this extra year to specialize.  But even were I a senior, Maud, I would be happy to hear your heartbreaks,” with a twist of her mouth that took care of the paradox.

“Thanks a lot.”  Blanco, the wooden horse painted white on a former “sorority spree,” was cleared by Maud the scientific, and she came up to Jane, a question in the sudden jerk of her bobbed head.  “Jane, will you help us organize a ghost raid?  We cannot have the freshies all scared blue by someone’s nonsense, and Dozia, Inez, Winifred and I have done all we could in the way of investigation.  That’s a trick ghost, Jane, I am convinced of that much, and it will take a double trick to lay it.”

“Certainly I’ll organize a raid squad, Maud.  I’d love to lead the charge myself.  Do we have outposts, and pickets, and-trench companies?  Or would a bathrobe drill answer as well?”

“Jane, I am serious,” Maud pouted.  “I tell you some of the girls are asking to have their quarters changed, and if all were given transfers I am sure Lenox Hall would be abandoned to the ghost.  Rather shabby of him to choose the babes’ quarters.”

“Spooks are cowardly as a rule,” replied Jane.  “And Maudie dear, I realize you are serious.  But I can hardly organize a raiding squad instanter.  I must at least have time to round up a few reliable girls.  No use going after the ‘sperit’ with a band of cowards.  You know yourself what fun that would be for his spookship.”  “Oh yes, of course, Jane.  I did not mean to be impatient, but the girls just begged me to enlist your leadership.  You have always been such a—­ successful leader.”

“Thanks again, girlie.  But failure is sure to come to him who tries once too often.  Not that I should mind failure, except for the sake of those excited children.  Really I hate to think how the ghost will feel when we get through rattling his bones.”  A sudden dash at a pair of ceiling rings set the whole line dangling along the gym and served to illustrate a possible way of rattling spectral dry bones, although Jane’s graceful figure, as she swung to and fro, did much to soften the effect.

“When can we make the raid?” persisted Maud.  “I have promised to bring a definite answer.”

Jane dropped to the mattress and sat with hands clasped over her knees.  “Is this ghost a person of regular habits?  Does he take exercise every night?”

“The noise was perfectly dreadful last night, and Velma Sigsbee was visiting Lenox night before and she almost went into hysterics when the rattling began.  You know what Velma is for signs.  Won’t wear a thing green and all that.”