Read Online The Beast of Seabourne by Rhys A. Jones - Free Book Online Page A

That at least got them some applause in amongst the gales of laughter.
    Then it was Niko’s turn. His claim for his animal noise transducer was that, by simply adjusting a dial, he could alter the instrument’s pitch, and the noise, which was outside of normal human hearing, would call a variety of animals.
    â€œIs based on Polish hunting device. I make it into digital instrument,” he explained in a shaky voice. “Notes are transformed into ultrasonic signal by software and then sent out through bugle.”
    Heeps, who sat at a desk next to Mr Skelton to one side of the classroom and who had almost fallen asleep through three of the presentations, sat up keenly.
    â€œExcellent, Niko,” Skelton said. “Would it be possible to demonstrate?”
    â€œDog, rat, or bat?” Niko said.
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œYou have choice. Dog, rat, or bat?”
    Heeps cleared his throat. “Since bats are nocturnal, perhaps it would be unkind to disturb them in the middle of the afternoon. We’ve all seen dog whistles, so why not try the rats? I’m sure there’ll be one or two about this old school.”
    â€œThere’s one sitting at that table next to Skelton,” Oz said out of the corner of his mouth so only Ruff and Ellie could hear.
    Ruff snorted and had to pretend he’d sneezed to cover his laughter.
    Niko adjusted the black box—which looked suspiciously like a stripped-down mobile phone—at the base of the mouthpiece, held the instrument to his lips, and blew. Everyone strained to hear a noise. But there was none. Not even a squeak or a peep. Twice Niko blew, his cheeks bulging out with the effort, and twice there was silence.
    â€œMay I remind you that you now have two minutes left, Niko,” Mr Skelton said.
    â€œIt should not take much longer,” Niko said, looking unperturbed and raising the instrument one final time.
    The room stayed silent for thirty long and embarrassing seconds. Oz and Ruff exchanged knowing glances. Oz could see Ruff was thinking exactly the same thing as he was. Was this a wind-up? Had Jenks been in and shoved chewing gum in the bell to make Niko look a fool? If so, Jenks and Skinner were going to pay big time. Niko was a good bloke and member of Oz’s five-a-side team. Skinner and Jenks were just a pair of…
    A muffled scream drew everyone’s attention. Tracy Roper, who happened to be sitting near the windows, was on her feet, her face contorted with a kind of frozen horror. She pointed wordlessly at something in the yard. Everyone stood and craned for a look at the cause of her agitation.
    â€œWhat is it?” someone asked from behind Oz.
    â€œRats,” Skinner said. He, being taller than most, was able to see. “And lots of ’em, too.”
    â€œOut of the way!” Skelton was on his feet and pushing his way through, with Heeps in tow. Everyone was jostling for position by the windows now. Even Oz, who wasn’t particularly squeamish, felt his skin crawl when he finally stuck his head through a gap and looked out into the yard.
    There were rats. Dozens of them. However, they weren’t scurrying to holes in the walls or down drains. These rats were wandering about, looking slightly confused as they stopped to listen or sat up on their back legs to sniff the air.
    â€œMy God,” Skelton said, and whipped an astonished face around to look at Niko, who was still standing at the front with his transducer in his hands. “Do you mean to tell me…” he began, but quickly ran out of steam. “Is this… Are you…”
    â€œMake them go away!” wailed Tracy Roper, who had clambered up to stand on her chair.
    â€œExtraordinary,” Heeps said, sounding very impressed.
    â€œThey’re disgusting,” Sandra Ojo said with feeling.
    â€œThey’re coming closer and there’s more coming from the field. Look.” Jenks was pointing to the far end