Ghoul Trip (2 page)

Billy and Bella turned to see Mr. E. Gore, the school janitor, hurrying across the school yard toward them.

Mr. E. Gore was not a vampire but a zombie. He was also the gloomiest, grouchiest, grumpiest, and grinchiest ghoul in town.

“Look,” said Lee. “What's that on Gore's face?”

“It looks like a new nose,” said Bella. “It's a darker green than his old one.”

“And less warty,” said Billy. “I wonder where he got it?”

“Miss Karkoyle! Miss Karkoyle!” hollered Mr. Gore. “Shtop! Vait a moment!”

“Uh-oh,” said Billy nervously. “Do you think he found that stink bomb we left in his trunk?”

“Maybe,” said Lee. “But he wouldn't dare moan about that. He was fast asleep when he should have been “Maybe,” said Lee. “But he wouldn't dare moan about that. He was fast asleep when he should have been working.”

“Miss Karkoyle!” puffed Mr. Gore glumly. “Haff you locked ze classroom?”

“No, Eric,” said Miss Gargoyle coolly. “Why?”

“I must lock it at vonce!” wailed Mr. Gore. “All zese robberies in ze town! Another von just last night at Chaney Street Elementary! All zeverevolves' face brushes, stolen during casketball practice!” Chaney Street was the werewolf school down the road. “And zen last veek, at Amenhotep High, ze spare bandages, all shtolen! Zerevere bits of mummies dropping off everyvhere!”

He stroked his new nose, which was stuck on with a bandage.

“Aha,” said Lee. “So that's where he got it from.” Amenhotep High was the high school for mummies.

“All zese schools being robbed!” said Mr. Gore. “Alvays at night! Very suspicious!” He lowered his voice to a creepy whisper that was still loud enough for everyone to hear. “D'you know sumsink, Miss Karkoyle? I know who ze robbers are!”

“Really?” said Miss Gargoyle. “Who?”

Mr. Gore nodded slyly toward her class.

“All ze robberies are at night!” he hissed. “And who comes out at night? Vampires!”

“
And
Fangless burglars,” said Miss Gargoyle firmly. “Now we
really
must get going. Goodnight, Eric!”

She climbed onto the bus and sat down.

“Crazy old ghoul,” said Lee, “saying vampires might be the robbers.”

“I know,” said Billy. “If he hates vampires so much, why does he work in a vampire school?”

“Well,” said Bella, “he couldn't get a job in a Fangless school, could he? He'd frighten everyone to death.”

“Now, now,” said Miss Gargoyle. “Mr. Gore's a harmless old soul. Or he would be, if he had a soul. Anyway, tonight we're going to enjoy ourselves.”

Max, the bus driver, started the engine.

“Ready, Miss Gargoyle?” he asked, fiddling with the bolt on his neck.

“You bet,” she grinned. “Next stop, the county fair!”

Chapter 2

Peg Leg's Castle

The county fairgrounds were next to a ruined castle. As the school bus pulled up, the vampires saw large crowds of Fangless folk and all kinds of brightly lit stalls and carnival rides. There were merry-go-rounds, a roller coaster, and a huge Ferris wheel that was almost as tall as the castle.

“Right,” said Miss Gargoyle, as the vampires filed excitedly off the bus. “While we're here I want you all to find out five things about the castle.” She held up a pile of papers. “You can write them on these work sheets.”

The vampires groaned.

“You mean we actually have to do some
work
?” asked Lee.

“That's right,” said Miss Gargoyle. “Remember, this is a
school
trip. It's meant to be
educational
. You might live in a ruined castle yourselves one day, so it's important to know a bit about them. And the three best work sheets will each win a special prize.”

“It's cool, guys,” snickered Big Herb, the laziest boy in the class. “We'll just ask the castle ghosts!”

“No, you won't,” said Miss Gargoyle. “First, that would be cheating. Second, there
aren't
any ghosts.”

“What, a ruined castle with no ghosts?” said Big Herb in disbelief.