Unfortunately for him the young man seemed to be in no hurry. He whistled to himself, and occasionally sung in a low tone. At length Jasper decided to make a desperate move. Observing that the young man was lying with his face turned from the wardrobe, he seized his opportunity, stepped softly out, and gained the middle of the floor before he was seen.
The effect upon the young man was startling. The whistle died away, and with blanched cheeks and staring eyes he sat bolt upright in bed.
"Oh, Lord!" he exclaimed, tremulously. "What are you?"
Not a word escaped from the white figure, but it solemnly waved its hand.
"Are you a ghost?" asked the young man.
Jasper made a guttural noise and waved his arm again.
"Oh, Lord preserve me!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the young man, shaking with terror.
"Go away, do, good ghost! I haven"t done anything!"
As he spoke he covered up his head with the bedclothes, and Jasper could see by the convulsive movements that he was in a state of the greatest agitation. Our hero felt inclined to laugh, but forebore. He considered whether it would be safe, disguised as he was, to make his way down stairs and out at the front door. But another course suddenly suggested itself. The young man looked good-natured. Why shouldn"t he reveal himself to him, and throw himself upon him for protection? Besides, he was sorry to frighten him so much.
Acting upon his new resolution, he threw off the sheet and said in his natural voice:
"Don"t be frightened. I am not a ghost."
The young man in bed took courage to uncover his head.
"Ain"t you a spirit?" he said, doubtfully.
"No more than you," said Jasper, laughing.
"What made you frighten me so? Who are you?"
"I am a friend of yours."
"I don"t think I ever saw you before. How did you get in?"
"Through the window."
"You ain"t a burglar, are you?" asked the young man, with fresh apprehension.
"Of course not," said Jasper, laughing. "Do I look like a burglar?"
"No; but I don"t see what made you come in."
"The fact is, I want you to help me," said Jasper. "Just light the gas, and I"ll tell you all about it."
He spoke so frankly and straightforwardly that the young man was rea.s.sured. He got out of bed and lighted the gas.
"There! do I look like a burglar?" asked Jasper.
"No, you don"t; but I don"t see how you got in."
"Then I"ll tell you. I"ve just escaped from the next house."
"Escaped?"
"Yes. I was locked up in a dark room for four days, and the only way I could get out was through the roof. Of course I couldn"t slide off into the street and break my neck, so I got in here through the window."
"You don"t say!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the young man. "What did they shut you up for? Was it your father?"
"No. It"s a long story. I knew something they were afraid I would tell."
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to ask you to let me out into the street."
"What! so late as this? You would have to stay out all night."
"That would be better than to be locked up as I have been for the last four days."
"Suppose you wait till morning. This bed is big enough for both of us."
"Thank you. I should like that, and shall be much obliged to you."
"You are sure you are not a burglar?" said the young man, with a brief return of his former suspicion.
"Neither burglar nor ghost," said Jasper.
"What made you put on the sheet?"
"I was afraid you would take me for a burglar, so I meant to frighten you and escape, concluding that you would be afraid to pursue me."
"That"s so. I really thought you were a spirit."
"If you think so now, just feel my muscle," said Jasper, smiling.
"I don"t think so now."
"If I am to sleep with you, here is your sheet. We can make better use of it than in masquerading as ghosts."
Jasper undressed himself and got into bed. He learned that his companion"s name was Adam Diedrich, and that he kept a small cigar store near-by.
CHAPTER x.x.x.
JASPER GETS A PLACE.
Jasper took breakfast the next morning with the friendly young German, whose acquaintance he had so singularly made. Not a word was said as to the manner in which he had entered the house. He was introduced by Adam as "my friend, Mr. Kent."
After breakfast Jasper went around with his new friend to the place of business of the latter. He decided not to call upon Mr. Fitch till about ten o"clock.