I do not know what evil genius put the thought of Bubbles into my head. But once in, I could not get it out. Downstairs before the big fire I had laughed as loud as any one, and been as sure as sure could be that Fergus's story was all an invention of his fertile imagination. But, somehow, now that the lights were out, and the fellows all asleep, and the wind was moaning outside, and I lay sleepless on my bed, it did not seem so utterly preposterous. Not that I believed in ghosts. Oh dear no. I hoped I was not such a fool as that, but supposing-- That rain again at the window! Why couldn't it stop startling a fellow in that way? Yes, supposing Fergus's story had been founded on fact, what a dreadful end to a boy Bubbles's end must have been! "And they do say,"--the words seemed to echo in my ears--"that every Christmas Eve he re-visits Ferriby, and tries to get down the chimney in search of his lost legs." Ugh! Why did not some of the fellows wake up? How unnaturally still they all were! I would have given all my pocket-money to two of them to start another steeplechase that moment over the beds. In fact, I had half a mind to-- As I reached this point a sudden noise made my blood run cold, and froze me to my bed. It did not seem to be in the dormitory, or on the stairs outside, or in the quadrangle below. None of my companions appeared to have heard it, for they all slept on quietly, and the silence which followed was doubly as intense as that which had gone before. What could it be? I do not fancy I was a particularly cowardly boy, but somehow that sound terrified me. I could neither move nor call out. All I could do was to lie and listen. There it was again! this time not so sudden, but far more distinct. There was no mistaking it now. As sure as I lay there, it was something on the roof! It sounded like something crawling slowly and by fits and starts along the gutter just above the dormitory. Sometimes it seemed to spring upwards, as though attempting to reach a higher position, and then sullenly slip down and proceed on its crawling way. Yes, without doubt Fergus had told the truth! Suddenly a voice in a loud whisper at the other end of the dormitory exclaimed-- "Listen! I say, listen!" It was Lamb's voice. There was at least some comfort in knowing that I was not the only one awake. With a desperate effort I sat up in my bed and replied-- "Oh, Lamb, what is it?"