Beneath, on Wellington campus, the dormitories stood up like tiny cottages here and there, the more important building, Madison Hall, towering pompously over the smaller flock.  It was in Madison that Jane and Judith as juniors were housed, while over in a west corner grouped about the big walled entrance was, among the lesser landmarks, Lenox, one of the first erected of the Wellington buildings; quaint, roomy and just now decidedly “spooky.”

The scene was fascinating in its silence, for only the dimmest of path lights seemed alive over the big place, and not a breath of wind stirred the tenacious oak leaves or other rugged foliage, too sparse to be counted, now that winter had given warning and was on his ruthless way.

The two figures creeping along like some elfin prowlers were Jane and Dozia, and they made straight through that bold moonlight for Lenox Hall.

“Doesn’t it seem silly?” Jane took time to remark.  “The very idea of expecting trouble on such a night.”

“It’s all your doing, Lady Jane,” Dozia retaliated, “and if I don’t see a ghost after all this I’ll never forgive you.”

“There was no guarantee, Dozia.  But I did promise to appease the fears of those youngsters.  What time is it?”

“When I left my nice cozy room for this, it was twenty minutes to twelve.  I believe you were on time at the fire escape, so I would say it is now about ten minutes of.  Hold my hand, Jane.  This may be thrilling but it’s awfully weird.”

“Don’t you like it?  Look at that moon, and all the sparklers!”

“But think of those hedges, ugh!  I’m wobbly at the knees already, and we’re not half way across.  Never knew a campus could be so—­ oceanic.  I shall be striking out with my arms presently, feet seem unable to carry all the responsibility,” and the tall girl cuddled into Jane’s cape as far as the garment would accommodate her.

“You are not really nervous, Dozia the Fearless,” Jane rebuked.  “Why, I’m just tingling with the spirit of adventure.”

“You may, and the spirit of adventure is a lot more attractive than the spirits we’re out gunning for.  Do you expect to get off scot-free if you smash anything with that golf stick?  What do you think Miss Rutledge will say?”

“I shan’t bang unless there is nothing else to do, and then I’m sure I can explain.  A Montana girl from a real ranch ought to have some credit for field work.”  Jane was twirling her capable brassie with rather a dangerous swing and the odd weapon now seemed formidable indeed.

“What’s that?” exclaimed Dozia, as a shadow almost tripped them.  “It’s an animal I know but—­”

“A frightened little rabbit,” replied Jane.  “They have a lovely time when the thoughtless girls are safe behind doors.  But, Dozia, honestly I think I do see something else—­bigger than—­a rabbit!”

Both girls stopped suddenly and drew back in the shadow of a tall lilac bush.  They were well across the campus and now, at the end of the path, near the gate and not far from Lenox Hall, something moved in and out of the moonlit way.  It seemed to cross from the big stone wall and glide into the grove of magnolia.