“What did it say?”
“It said ‘Search Chester Arlington’s room and see what you will find if you wish to clear mystery of the spook.’”
“Great tarantulas! And you—what did you do?”
“I waited. Since then several articles stolen from fellows here have been returned to them in a mysterious way.”
“Which makes you think—what?”
“Arlington returned them. Perhaps he became frightened. Perhaps he felt that he didn’t need them any longer after Fardale defeated New Era and he won his bets.”
“He’s a skunk, pard! I reckon he’s a regular kleptomaniac.”
“But the robberies have started up again. I want you to help me spread the report that we think it strange we have not been robbed of anything valuable. I want you to say that we don’t take much stock in it, as we leave things lying around every night that are worth taking. I will say the same things. Get the fellows to repeating it. I want the spook to visit us.”
“I see, pard,” nodded Brad. “I’ll do it.”
This plan was carried out by them, and two nights later the “spook” paid them a visit. Dick it was who heard him moving with a rustling sound in the room. As Merriwell sat up the spook went rustling toward the door. Dick jumped out of bed and saw a white form at the door.