Read Online The Case of the Bone-Stalking Monster by John R. Erickson - Free Book Online Page B

that Ralph could run so fast on those stubby legs of his, but he was picking ’em up and laying ’em down.
    We went streaking to the gas tanks. Drover had been sleeping, but his head came up as he heard the roar of our rocket engines and the screech of our brakes.

    His ears were crooked and his eyes were crossed. “Mirk snork snicklefritz, who’s that?”
    I was panting for breath. “Drover, this is Dog­pound Ralph. Ralph, meet Drover, my assistant.”
    They exchanged nods while I caught my breath. “Drover, I’m afraid we’re in for one of the longest and scariest nights of our lives.”
    His face wilted. “I don’t think I want to hear this.”
    â€œI’m sorry, son, but it’s my duty to tell you the facts.”
    â€œI hate facts, especially scary ones. Oh Hank, don’t tell me that it’s the Bone Monster.”
    I stared at the runt. “How did you know? Did you see him too?”
    â€œWell, I . . .”
    â€œThat makes two of us who caught a glimpse of him. How about you, Ralph? Did you see him too?”
    â€œWell . . . I saw something.”
    â€œThere you are! That makes three out of three. We all saw the Bone Monster, so there’s no question that he’s on the loose, out there somewhere in the black darkness of night.”
    Suddenly I heard an odd sound. Then I realized that it was coming from Drover. His teeth were chattering.
    â€œDrover, do something about your teeth.”
    â€œI can’t take ’em out. What should I do?”
    â€œI don’t know, but stop clicking them.” I began pacing back and forth in front of my troops. “All right, men. I feel it’s my duty to give you all the information in this case.”
    Drover moaned. “I don’t think I can stand it!”
    â€œHush. As you already know, the Bone Monster entered our Garden Vault and stole all three of our bones.”
    Drover stared at me with empty eyes. “Garden Vault? What . . . I thought . . . I think I missed some­thing.”
    â€œExactly, which is why you should pay attention once in a while. But the crucial fact here is that, after stealing my . . . that is, our bones, the Bone Monster LEFT SOMETHING IN THE HOLES.”
    I heard Drover gasp. “You mean . . .”
    â€œExactly. He stole the bones and left a carbolic object in their place. Bone Monsters always do that. It’s part of their routine, their pattern.”
    There was a long throbbing silence. Then Drover said, “Gosh, I wonder what he left.”
    I stopped pacing and whirled around. “I’ll tell you what he left, Drover. In each of the holes, he left . . . a Vienna sausage can. Do you see what this means?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œIt’s very simple, if you understand the mind of crinimals and monsters. They take something of great value—a bone, for example—and leave some­thing that contains a secret coded carbolic message. Ralph, would you care to guess the secret car­bolic message of an empty Vienna sausage can?”
    â€œWell . . . let me think.”
    I waited. Time was slipping away. “I’m sorry, Ralph, but we’re out of time. The secret carbolic message is . . .” My eyes flicked back and forth, from one terrified face to the other. “The secret message is that the Bone Monster intends to make sausage out of us .”
    Drover keeled over. “Oh my gosh, I’m too young to be a sausage, and this old leg is killing me!”
    â€œGet up, Drover, this is no time to show your true colors. It happens that I have a plan. We’ll make our stand here at the gas tanks. We’ll need someone to stand guard. I’m looking for a volunteer.”
    No paws went up, so I turned to Ralph. “How about it, Ralph? You’ve had valuable experience as a jailbird. You just might be the right dog for this job.”
    â€œI don’t think so. We don’t