Free The Halloween Hoax by Carolyn Keene Page A

Dudley’s ten-year-old helper on the show. He usually wore jeans and a T-shirt. But today he wore a long black cape for Halloween.
    â€œThese kids must be in third grade,” Kirby said.
    â€œHow did you know?” Valerie asked.
    Kirby turned to show a hump under his cape. “I had a hunch!” he joked.

    A few kids laughed. A few groaned. “Good one,” George said with a chuckle.
    â€œIt’s him!” Shelby shouted. “It’s Dudley!”
    The kids cheered as Dudley suddenly ran across the studio toward the audience. His lab coat was decorated with a spider design for Halloween.
    â€œDid you know a handshake is science too?” Dudley asked as he shook Shelby’s hand. “I just passed hundreds of germs from my hand to yours.”
    â€œOh, thank you,” Shelby gushed. “I am never going to wash this hand again. Ever!”
    Next, to get the audience excited and because Halloween was on the way, Dudley held a screaming contest. Everyone got a chance to give his or her best scream. Bess’s scream sounded more like a squeak. Kevin Garcia gave a good scream until his fake vampire fangs fell out. But when Nadine “the Drama Queen” Nardo screamed, everyone covered their ears.
    â€œWe have a winner!” said Dudley. Hesnapped his fingers. Kirby ran to Nadine, handing her a Dudley button as a prize.
    â€œMr. Dudley? Mr. Dudley?” George called. “Can you sign my sneaker, please?”
    â€œSure,” Dudley said. He snapped his fingers again. Kirby handed a pen to Dudley. He quickly scribbled his name on George’s sneaker.
    â€œWow!” George exclaimed as Dudley walked over to the cameras. “I’m never going to wash this sneaker either.”
    â€œSince when do you ever wash your sneakers, George?” Bess said with a sigh.
    George stuck her tongue out at Bess. Sometimes Nancy couldn’t believe they were cousins.
    â€œReady to tape,” Lisa shouted.

    â€œThis is it,” Nancy whispered excitedly.
    The lights on the ceiling flashed brighter. Lisa turned to Dudley and began to count down: “Five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . .”
    â€œIt’s Dudley the Science Dude’s Halloween show!” an announcer’s voice boomed. “Kids, give it up for Dudley!”
    Everyone cheered as Dudley ran onto the set.
    â€œHappy Halloween, you guys,” he declared. “In our audience today we have kids from River Heights Elementary School, and they are ready for some creepy and fun-tastic experiments!”
    â€œYeah!” Nancy’s class shouted.
    â€œAnd wait till we check out those pains in the neck, our friends the bats!” Dudley went on.
    Excited whispers filled the studio.
    â€œBut what would Halloween be without a bubbly witch’s brew?” asked Dudley. He held two bottles over a bowl. “The secret recipe is baking soda, vinegar—and a dash of spooky glow-in-the-dark green paint!”
    Everyone watched as Dudley poured the green-colored vinegar and baking soda into the bowl. The mixture began to fizz and foam until—
    â€œWhoa!” Dudley cried as he jumped back. The fizzy brew was oozing out of the bowl and across the counter!
    â€œNeat!” Kevin laughed.
    But Nancy noticed that Dudley wasn’t laughing. When the cameras stopped rolling, he stared at the icky green puddle on the floor.
    â€œThat wasn’t supposed to happen,” Dudley said. “I measured the right amount of ingredients before the show.”

    â€œSome scientist,” Deirdre muttered.
    Shelby heard Deirdre and jumped to her feet. “Yay, Dudley!” she cheered. “That experiment was truly awesome!”
    â€œLet’s move on to the next one,” Valerie suggested.
    â€œThree . . . two . . . one,” Lisa said. She pointed to Dudley, and he smiled into the camera.
    â€œDid you ever try to squeeze an egg into a bottle?” Dudley asked.