Free Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies by David Sinden

inside.
    â€œHelp!” Ulf shouted, kicking and struggling.
    â€œOrson! Help!”
    â€œThe giant’s asleep,” Baron Marackai said. He stamped his boot onto Ulf’s stomach, pinning him inside the sea chest. “And he won’t wake up in a hurry.”
    The Baron laughed. “Haha hahaa haaaahaah! I gave him a drop of sea monster venom. Just like I gave my father.” He glanced at Professor Farraway’s skeleton in the chair. “My father wasn’t killed by a sea monster. He returned home from his expedition with a flask full of sea monster venom. Unfortunately for him though, he discovered my little collection here and threatened to throw me out of the house, so I slipped the venom into his tea.”

    â€œYou murdered him!”
    â€œNot officially. Not according to the newspapers!” Baron Marackai laughed. “I threw his things in the sea and set his boat adrift so it looked like he’d had a little accident. I think he looks rather good among my trophies, though, don’t you? You’ll look good, too—when you’re stuffed!”
    â€œYou’ll never get away with it!” Ulf shouted. “Dr. Fielding—”
    â€œI’m afraid she won’t hear you, werewolf. She’s a little tied up at the moment.”
    Baron Marackai grinned. “I’m taking back what’s mine!” he said. “This is my house and my land, andevery beast in your precious beast park will soon be dead! The RSPCB is doomed!”
    The Baron lifted his boot. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Beast Feast to attend.”
    He slammed the lid of the chest shut.
    Inside, everything went dark. Ulf was trapped. “Let me out!” he shouted, pushing against the lid.
    The Baron fastened the padlock on the chest.
    â€œHelp!”
    Ulf heard the Baron heading out of the room. “When I was a boy, my father said to me, ‘Yo, ho, ugh—’ as he drank his cup of tea.”
    Ulf banged against the lid of the chest. He could hear the sound of the Jeep starting up and driving out through the yard. “Help!” he called. “Let me out!”

Chapter 18
    IT WAS PITCH DARK INSIDE THE CHEST .
    â€œHelp!” Ulf shouted.
    He was tangled in the netting, struggling to free himself. The net cut into his skin as he shook from side to side and kicked against the lid of the chest.
    â€œHelp! Help me, Tiana!”
    There was no answer. He tried to bash the lid with his fist, but the net was wrapped tightly around him. He could hardly move.
    â€œSomeone help me!” he called.
    He was stuck. He lay in the dark and listened. The only sound he could hear was his own breath.
    â€œHelp me!” he called.
    As time passed, he could feel himself getting hot and dizzy. It was airless inside the chest. He was thinking about Orson and Dr. Fielding, and what awful things might be happening to them. He had to stop the Baron.
    Suddenly, from out in the room he heard an almighty crash and the sound of breaking glass. Someone was clambering over the crates and furniture.
    â€œOrson? Dr. Fielding? Is that you?” Ulf called.
    He heard the padlock rattling on the side of the chest. Then he heard the sound of wood splintering as the padlock broke free.
    The lid flew open.
    â€œDruce!” Ulf said. It was Druce the gargoyle!
    â€œDrucey to the rescue!” the gargoyle gurgled. He flicked out his long yellow tongue and licked Ulf’s face.
    Ulf struggled to his feet and tore off the net. “Thank you, Druce,” he said.
    Druce leaped onto a table and pointed to Professor Farraway’s skeleton. “Professor?” he gurgled. He leaned forward and prodded the skeleton. “Professor dead.”
    Ulf could hear a rattling sound, and saw the jam jar rolling on the floor. Tiana was inside, beating her hands against the glass. Ulf picked the jar up and unscrewed the lid.
    Tiana flew out in a burst of sparkles. Her face was