Quick as he was, he was not quick enough, although he barely missed as the hand was snatched away.
Springing up, he saw a shadowy figure in white gliding toward the door.
At that moment Dunnerwurst awoke and beheld the figure as it flitted past the couch.
Uttering a squawk of terror, the Dutchman rolled off the couch with a crash.
Hodge leaped from the bed and grappled with Frank as Merry came round the foot in pursuit of the mysterious visitor. Before he could realize his mistake Hans had clutched them both round the legs, chattering:
“Safe me from der ghost! Safe me! safe me!”
Frank broke away, but the visitor was gone. Merry rushed out of the room, but he was too late.
This racket had aroused the others, and they came flocking from their rooms, demanding the cause of the trouble.
“Hans had a bad case of nightmare, I think,” said Merry.
They found the Dutchman with his head under the couch, whither he had attempted to crawl. Bart struck a light and Merry pulled Dunnerwurst out.