That evening Wilberforce Chaster remained in the hotel parlor until ten
o 'clock. Then he marched off to his room in his usual ill humor. The
gas was lit and he went to bed without delay.

As soon as the light went out and they heard the man retire, Joe and
the bell boy began to groan in an ominous manner. As they did so, they
worked the strings to which the skulls and the skeleton were attached,
causing them to dance up and down in the center of the old man's room.

Hearing the groans, Wilberforce Chaster sat up in bed and listened. Then
he peered around in the darkness.

"Ha! what is that?" he gasped, as he caught sight of the skulls. "Am I
dreaming--or is that--Oh!"

He started and began to shake from head to foot, for directly in front
of him was the skeleton, moving up and down in a jerky fashion and
glowing with a dull fire. His hair seemed to stand on end. He dove under
the coverings of the bed.

"The room is haunted!" he moaned. "Was ever such a thing seen before!
This is wretched! Whatever shall I do?"

The groans continued, and presently he gave another look from under the
bed clothes. The skeleton appeared to be coming nearer. He gave a loud
yell of anguish.

"Go away! Go away! Oh, I am haunted by a ghost! This is awful! I cannot
stand it!"