“The epidemic? What epidemic?” asked Rattleton instantly. “Why, the whole city is sick. I saw it in the newspaper this morning. The first words I read in the paper were: ‘Chicago, Ill.’” Somebody groaned. It was Browning, who had dropped his fork and seemed about to collapse. “That makes me ill myself!” he gasped huskily. “I never thought it of you, Merry! You are rapidly descending to the level of such buffoons as Ready and his kind.” “I admit it was a bad one,” smiled Frank, “and I promise not to do it again.” In this manner they caused the meal to pass off merrily, and an excellent meal it proved to be. All were hungry, but when the dessert was over even Dunnerwurst confessed that he was more than satisfied. As they were leaving the dining room Frank was about to ask for the hostess, when she appeared. Merry again protested that they feared they were causing her great inconvenience. “Not at all,” she declared. “I shall not be home to-night, and I decided to caution you before leaving the house. At the top of the stairs and at the rear there is a room with a black door. Although you have perfect liberty in the rest of the house, I wish it understood that you are to keep away from that room with the black door.” “You may depend on it that we’ll not go near the room,” pledged Merry instantly. “And should you hear strange sounds in the night there will be no cause for alarm. Pay no attention to anything you may hear. That is all. I shall return before you leave in the morning.” She then bade them good night in a pleasant manner, and, being dressed for the street and still heavily veiled, left at once. “More mystery!” grunted Browning, as they were once more gathered in the big room upstairs. “A room with a bub-bub-bub-black door!” exploded Gamp. “Und stranch noises may hear us in der nighdt!” cried Dunnerwurst. “Poys, you vos indo a haunted house!” “La! la!” said Jack Ready easily. “I am ne’er disturbed by departed spirits. They alarm me not.” “Why did she go out to-night?” questioned Hodge. “It is my idea,” laughed Frank, “that we will occupy about all the beds in the house. Quite likely she went out to find a place to sleep. I feel guilty over it, but she insisted that we were putting her to no inconvenience.” “And prevaricated like a lady,” said Ready. “There isn’t a bub-bub-bit of danger that I’ll go poking round on the top floor looking for a room with a bub-bub-black door,” declared Gamp. “I’m afraid I’ll not sleep very well to-night,” acknowledged Rattleton. “I vos anodder,” confessed Hans. “Vrankie, vos ghosts afraidt uf you?” “Not that I know of,” answered Merry. “Vale, in der room vich you haf selectioned dere vos a couch, as vell as a ped.” “Yes.” “Couldt you bermit dot couch to sleep on me?” “You want to sleep on the couch in that room?” “Yah.” “All right; I’m willing.” “But don’t you dare to snore,” warned Hodge. “I’m going to sleep with Frank, and I can’t sleep when I hear any one snoring.”