As Jerry and Mr. Duncan advanced along the corridor, led by the bell boy, they were met by a chambermaid, who was rushing wildly along.
“What’s the matter, Mary?” asked the bell boy.
“Matter? Sure there’s a crazy man in number sixteen!” was the answer. “He’s beating down the walls! I’m going to tell the boss!” and she disappeared on the run.
Jerry, Mr. Duncan and the bell boy hurried on. As they came in front of room number sixteen they heard a violent pounding on the walls. Certainly it did seem as if some one was trying to batter his way out.
“That’s can’t be the professor,” remarked Jerry. “He wouldn’t act that way.”
“Perhaps he has been attacked by a robber!” suggested Mr. Duncan. “Run, my lad, and get help,” he added to the bell boy, whose small face contrasted strangely with his large eyes.
Once more there came a violent pounding on the wall, so that the floors seemed to shake.
“If that is the professor, perhaps he has been bitten by one of his snakes, toads or queer insects, and has gone crazy,” thought Jerry. Then, as the racket continued, he heard above the noise, a voice calling:
“Come down! Come down off that wall or I’ll get a ladder and catch you! Come down, I say!” Then the pounding started again, just as the bell boy returned, with the clerk and several janitors.
“It is the professor,” murmured Jerry, who did not know what to think. “But he must be in great distress!”