"Is anybody down at the river now?"
"Yes, the whole bunch. They're going to keep up the search till
morning. I sent Bartz down to Tarlton to see the sheriff and get help.
We're goin' to drag the river for his body in the morning, …" Here
Benz broke down completely.
Cateye heard Judd choking a laugh and realized he had to say something or the jig was up.
"And what are you doing here?" he demanded, savagely, "You, … you who are probably more to blame for this, … this murder than anyone else! Why aren't you out doing something to help recover his body?"
"I, … I, … oh Cateye, don't rub it in so! I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to come away. Oh, it's all a terrible nightmare to me. He can't be dead, … he must be alive! Let me go, … I've got to be by myself!"
Cateye did not try to restrain Benz. In fact he was mighty glad to have him go!
As soon as Benz had disappeared up the hall Judd stepped softly from the closet, the towel stuffed in his mouth, and fell upon the bed, shaking with laughter.
"How's that for real acting?" grinned Cateye.
"Gee, that's worth getting drowned to listen to!" howled Judd, "They're going to drag the river for me in the mornin'! Did you hear that? Well, … I wish 'em luck. I hope they find me. I reckon it's rather awkward for a ghost like me not to know where my body is, … floatin' around somewhere on the bottom of the river!"
"Shss! Judd, don't make so much noise! This will be the richest joke on Benz and the fellows for that matter, that ever came off. It'll teach Benz a lesson he'll never forget. You keep out of sight till after breakfast today. The whole college will know about it by that time!"