“Truly, Miss Williams, I wasn’t in it at all,” Jennie affirmed, with more coherence, and lifting an appealing look to the incensed woman.

“Miss Wild, don’t add falsehood to your other offenses.  What were you hiding here for, if you had nothing to do with it?  But”—­ suddenly cutting herself short—­“I think we will defer further investigation until to-morrow.  Go to your room at once, and remain there until I come to you in the morning.  Young ladies, retire—­ all of you—­and those who, in any way, have participated in this affair, prepare to make open confession, for I assure you it will not be dropped until you do.”

She waved them imperatively away, and they immediately vanished with cheerful alacrity from her austere presence, while Jennie also sped away without one backward glance.

Miss Williams then turned to the watchman and observed more calmly: 

“Mr. Johnson, it seems we were all more frightened than hurt.  My first impression was that there had been a terrific explosion, and the sensation of being fastened in one’s room at such a time isn’t at all agreeable.  I am glad you were at hand to help and reassure us.”

“Ye were in rather a ticklish box, mum; fur, by the powers! ’twur like a pan-dom-i-num let loose,” replied the man, stooping to recover his lantern and to conceal a broad grin of appreciation, for it was well known he enjoyed a joke as well as anyone, even to the point of sometimes abetting the perpetrators.  “But what’ll we do wid all the truck?” he added, glancing at the pile of tinware on the floor.

“Oh, leave it where it is until morning, and the maids will take care of it,” Miss Clark suggested; and then the teachers also repaired to their rooms, the watchman went his way, his broad shoulders shaking with silent laughter, and quiet settled down once more upon Hilton’s ruffled west wing.

Katherine had remained in the background throughout the entire disturbance, quietly disrobing and getting ready for bed.

Sadie had been so frightened by the startling noises outside, she did not observe—­the room being dark—­or dream that her roommate was still up and dressed.  She supposed that she had come in while she was sleeping and retired without waking her; thus Katherine escaped being questioned or obliged to make any explanations.

But she lay awake some time after the house had settled into stillness, trying to decide what steps she ought to take, knowing what she did about the matter.

She knew it would not be right to allow Jennie to suffer for what she was in no way responsible, even though she had broken rules in being out of her room at so late an hour.  But what her duty was regarding reporting the leaders in the “racket,” if they obstinately refrained from confessing their offense, she could not readily determine.  She finally resolved that she would do her utmost to exonerate Jennie without incriminating anyone else, if possible.