“And then think of the fun of actually hearing her give the famous screech as exhibit A?” put in Jane.  “What a pity they made the hearing private?”

“I’ll explain that,” condescended Janet, who, having no story to tell, needed some outlet.  “You see, they arrest people here in Bingham just to keep things going, and have the officers do something besides draw their pay envelopes, so Sandy took in Zeezie as his quota of service for December.”

“And I suppose I filled that requirement for November,” recalled Judith, with a disdainful pucker.

“Take care you are not listed next, Dozia,” warned Janet.  “You do talk very loud at times.  Woke me up last night.”

Shirley arose and glanced at the little gilt clock.

“I guess we little ’uns will have to cut this lovely party,” she said politely.  “We really have a lot of things to do tonight.  And who hasn’t for the dance?”

“We will walk over with you,” volunteered Jane.  “Judy and I always take a stroll before we start cramming.”

“Which is just about equivalent to saying we may vamoose,” said Dozia.  “All right, stroll along, the ghost is safe tonight, at any rate.”

“And if she gets off with a fine I suppose she will be on a train for New York before morning,” concluded Sally, with a satisfied quirk of her yellow head.

Outside the hall Shirley and Sally almost smothered Jane with protestations.

“I thought I would die!” cried Shirley, “but the steely fire of your eyes, Miss Allen, kept urging me on.  And now I have at least told all that hateful story!”

“I could hardly sit still,” gasped Sally, holding tightly to Jane’s friendly arm.  “It was like a play, but I was so ashamed—­”

“Ashamed!  I was never more proud of two girls in all my life,” declared resourceful Jane, with unmistakable sincerity.  “Why, you both had the girls fascinated—­”

“You had them hypnotized,” insisted Sally.  “It is really wonderful to be popular among such a set of girls,” and her voice just touched a tone of regret.

“Indeed, we all have to share honors with you two entertainers,” said Jane positively.  “You see, the girls first of all want a good time, and if you help provide that legitimately, of course, you can count on polling a heavy vote in any popularity contest.”

“Jane Allen is no monopolist,” said Judith significantly.  It was obvious Jane was determined to share honors with the two bewildered freshmen.  That was her way of making things pleasant.

“Now run along and get your togs ready for the dance,” said Jane, “and be sure to give me a lot of dances with Teddy!”

“Teddie!” sang out the two freshmen.

“Why yes, your nice brother, Ted,” said Judith innocently.  “We heard he was coming—­”

“And we found a piece of paper long ago,” added Jane gently, “that bore the name Ted.  It was in the attic, and we dug it out of the ghost’s breastplate.”