"Do they really mean to sleep in the recreation room?" asked the freshman, waiting at a landing for Jane.
"Land knows," replied Jane, "but I thought we had best humor them at least past the pneumonia point. I am thankful they did not all break away over the campus to some other building. We will probably shame them into going back to bed when they see how much trouble they are giving. Where might we find the bed clothes storeroom?"
"Just here to your left. But wait until I switch that light." She reached a button and gave the side light its current. Then she stepped back to Jane.
"Miss Allen," she began in more subdued voice, "I just wanted to tell you it was I who rang—the fire bell!"
"Oh, did you?" said Jane lightly, following the hushed tone of voice, "but where did you think the fire was?"
"I knew there was no fire," she confessed, "but I had to do it to cover those other noises."
Jane was mystified, but she realized by Sarah's manner that a complete explanation was not possible just then. Here and there a step or a voice threatened the snatched confidence.
"Did you hear that scream?" whispered Jane.
"Yes, and I—had my room changed to over at the foot of the attic stairs just yesterday, but—but—oh, Miss Allen, it is too dreadful!" she gasped, dropping into a window seat and bursting into tears.
"Don't, dear! Don't, Sally!" begged Jane. "You are all unnerved.
Tomorrow you can tell me your fears, if you wish," Jane qualified.
"But now let us get back to the girls. They will think something
dreadful HAS happened to us."