Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies Read Online Free PDF Page A

desk. “What on earth is this?” he asked, picking up the venom extractor and dangling it from his hook.
    â€œThat was Professor Farraway’s invention for removing a sea monster’s venom,” Dr. Fielding explained. She took the venom extractor back. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work.”
    Captain Crab scratched his beard with the point of his hook. “Are you sure?” he asked.
    â€œThat’s what got the Professor killed. He died on an expedition to examine a sea monster.”
    â€œBut I’ve seen him swim with those beasts,” theCaptain said. “He knew what he was doing. Are you sure that’s how he died?”
    â€œI’m afraid we can’t use that contraption, Captain. I cannot risk another life.”
    Ulf turned from the office door. “Come on, Tiana,” he said, running up the back stairs.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Tiana called.
    â€œTo the library,” Ulf told her. “To find out what really happened.”
    What Ulf and Tiana knew, that no one else did, was that Professor Farraway was now a ghost. He lived upstairs in the library of Farraway Hall.

Chapter 7
    ULF SKIDDED DOWN THE GALLERY OF SCIENCE , a wide corridor with huge framed pictures of beasts on the walls. He ran past a diagram showing the blood system of a vampire and a drawing of a dragon’s eye.
    Tiana sparkled at his shoulder. “You know I don’t like it up here.”
    â€œBut there’s nothing to be afraid of,” Ulf told her.
    At the end of the corridor, Ulf opened the door into the Room of Curiosities. Inside, artifacts from the history of the RSPCB were piled on tables anddisplayed in cabinets. He weaved between old veterinary tools, past a collection of antique hoof picks, a tattered canvas sail, a climbing rope from Professor Farraway’s yeti expedition and the fire-suit he wore tunnelling for blaze serpents.
    On the far side of the room, Ulf came to a door. This was the entrance to the old library, the room where the ghosts lived.
    The door to the library creaked open.
    It was dark inside and Ulf could barely see. He could just make out the dusty books lining the walls. He heard the haunted rocking chair rocking back and forth in the corner of the room.
    â€œIt’s creepy,” Tiana whispered, holding tightly to Ulf’s T-shirt.
    A hushed whispering echoed all around and Ulf felt the hairs tingling on the back of his neck.
    He trod carefully, and with each step the floorboards creaked beneath his hairy feet. He knockedinto a bucket. It was full with glowing green liquid. He glanced up. Fluorescent green ectoplasm was leaking from the ceiling.
    On the upper reading level a blue mist was seeping from the wall. It formed into the shape of a girl and drifted down the spiral staircase. She disappeared through the floor.
    Ulf walked between two large bookcases, glancing into the shadows. He saw a cluster of glowing orbs circling one another like tiny planets.
    â€œProfessor Farraway, are you in here?” Ulf asked. He stepped to the far wall. On a small table a candle flickered on, lighting a dusty painting of an old man in a tweed suit. He was sitting at a writing desk. His hair was grey and his eyes were smiling. Underneath, a gold nameplate read:
    Â 
    LORD JOHN EVERARD FARRAWAY
    PROFESSOR OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY
    Â 
    Ulf looked at the painting. “Professor, how did you die?” he asked.
    The table started shaking. All of a sudden the candle rose into the air. Ulf felt a cold draft pass through him and the candle began floating across the library.
    â€œWhat’s he doing?” Tiana asked.
    Ulf watched as the candle drifted to the spiral staircase, then up to the upper reading level.
    â€œProfessor, come back!” Ulf called.
    â€œHe’s being spooky,” Tiana said. She shivered, sprinkling sparkles onto the floor.
    Ulf walked to the spiral staircase. He gripped the metal handrail and crept up the steps,