Read Online Bunnicula Strikes Again! by James Howe - Free Book Online

were very few people around, so it was easy to check out the premises without being noticed. The problem was, the premises appeared to be sealed tight.
    Staring at the heavily bolted back entrance to the building, I sighed. “What was I thinking? There’s no way we can get in.”
    Felony cleared her throat. “I did not come allthis way to be insulted,” she said. “You are dealing with professionals here, Harold. If you thought this was going to be a piece of cake, would you have called in professionals?”
    â€œOh, yeah,” said Miss Demeanor, “and that reminds me—and then I’m gonna have a piece of marble pound cake with a side of potato salad.”
    â€œDid you ever read
The Potato Has a Thousand Eyes?”
Howie asked.
    Miss Demeanor’s eyes took on the dull luster of tarnished brass. “Read?” she said.
    I sensed we were getting a wee bit off course.
    â€œFelony,” I said, “how do you imagine—”
    â€œWindow!” Felony snapped.
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI was thinkin’ we’d have to go in through the ducts, but looky there, Harold.”
    I raised my head in the direction Felony indicated. There, not two feet above my head, was a window. It was open only a crack, but if the two cat burglars could jimmy it all the way, the opening would be large enough for both Howie and me to fit through easily.
    â€œThat’s lucky,” I said.
    Felony turned to Miss D. “Crowbar,” she said.
    â€œCrowbar,” Miss D. repeated.
    Within minutes, the two cats had come up with a makeshift crowbar and had the window halfway open. I had to admire their dexterity and skill.
    From the other side of the window, I heard a familiar voice call out, “Who is it? Who’s there?”
    â€œOh, yoo-hoo, hunky boy!” Miss Demeanor called out. I cringed on Chester’s behalf. “We’re comin’ to get ya, Cute Whiskers!”
    â€œCute Whiskers?” I heard Chester repeat from inside. “Is it.. . is that. . . ?”
    â€œOne, two, three!” Felony commanded. The two cats arched their backs against the half-open window and forced it all the way up. We were home-free.
    â€œIt is I! It is me! It is we! It is us!” cried Miss Demeanor in a bravado display of grammatical insecurity.
    I too became insecure at that moment, worrying that the two cats would jump inside and free Chester before I could stop them. I was saved by a remarkable stroke of luck.

    A clock tower chimed eight times.
    â€œIt’s closin’ time at the Big Belly Deli!” Felony shrieked. “We’re gonna be late!”
    â€œAw, can’t I just say hello to Cute Whiskers?” Miss Demeanor whined.
    â€œPastrami and lox on an onion roll!” was Felony’s reply.
    Miss Demeanor jumped down from the windowsill. “Gotta run,” she said. “Say hi to Cute Whiskers for me, will ya, Harold?”
    â€œThank . . .” I said to the two cats as they streaked off into the night, “.. . you.”
    â€œHarold, Harold? Is that you?” Chester called out. “What’s going on out there?”
    With the help of a garbage pail, I leaped up onto the windowsill, then lifted Howie up by the nape of his neck. The two of us dropped down into the dimly lit back room of the veterinarian’s office. I felt like a hero in a war movie.
    As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw Chester staring down at us from a nearby cage.
    â€œChester!” I cried. “How are you feeling?” “Greenbriar gave me some kind of medicine that made me sleep most of the day. Right now, mymouth feels like somebody lined it with mouse fur, but other than that I’m feeling a lot better. You’ve got to get me out of here, Harold!”
    It suddenly occurred to me how quiet the place was.
    â€œWhere is everybody?” I asked.
    â€œI’m the only one here.”
    â€œBut where’s