Free Ghoul Trip by Peter Bently Page A

nodded slyly toward her class.
    â€œAll ze robberies are at night!” he hissed. “And who comes out at night? Vampires!”
    â€œ And Fangless burglars,” said Miss Gargoyle firmly. “Now we really must get going. Goodnight, Eric!”
    She climbed onto the bus and sat down.
    â€œCrazy old ghoul,” said Lee, “saying vampires might be the robbers.”
    â€œI know,” said Billy. “If he hates vampires so much, why does he work in a vampire school?”
    â€œWell,” said Bella, “he couldn’t get a job in a Fangless school, could he? He’d frighten everyone to death.”
    â€œNow, 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.

    â€œReady, Miss Gargoyle?” he asked, fiddling with the bolt on his neck.
    â€œYou 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.

    â€œRight,” 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.
    â€œYou mean we actually have to do some work ?” asked Lee.
    â€œThat’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.”
    â€œIt’s cool, guys,” snickered Big Herb, the laziest boy in the class. “We’ll just ask the castle ghosts!”
    â€œNo, you won’t,” said Miss Gargoyle. “First, that would be cheating. Second, there aren’t any ghosts.”
    â€œWhat, a ruined castle with no ghosts?” said Big Herb in disbelief.

    â€œYes,” said Miss Gargoyle, as she handed out the work sheets. “The castle’s last owner was Peg Leg Pete, the famous pirate. He had fifty pet parrots whose squawking made such a terrible racket, no one could hear the ghosts wailing and screeching. So they all moved out and never came back. See, I’ve told you one thing about the castle already. Okay, now off you go. Enjoy yourselves.” She smiled. “Make sure you’re back at the bus by midnight. Don’t get lost, and don’t go flashing your fangs or turning into bats in front of Fangless folk. The school will get complaints!”

    The young vampires all ran gleefully into the fair.
    â€œWow!” said Lee. “What should we ride on first?”

    â€œHow about the Ferris wheel?” said Bella.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Billy. “I’m not crazy about heights.”

    â€œOh, come on,” said Lee. “I’ll pay for this one.”
    They joined the line for the Ferris wheel.
    â€œThree rides please,” said Lee, handing over some coins to a man with shifty eyes and a thin mustache. The man took Lee’s money and quickly pushed the children into car number eight.
    â€œHey,” said Lee. “You didn’t give me any change!”

    â€œNonsense,” sneered the man, locking them in. “Pesky kids. Have a nice ride!” He laughed nastily, and before Lee could say anything else, the Ferris wheel whisked them up into the air.
    â€œWhat a cheat!” fumed Lee, glaring down at the man. “I want my money!”
    â€œYeah,” agreed Bella. “He was horrible