Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked him.
    â€œFrom Dr. Fielding,” Captain Crab replied. “This is where I’m sleeping.”
    â€œIn this room?”
    â€œSo that I can see my boat.”
    Captain Crab stepped over to the window, squeezing between a large wooden crate and an old armchair. He wiped the dusty glass with his sleeve and peered out. “There she is, safe and sound.”
    Ulf stepped over and looked out. It was dark outside. In the distance he could see moonlight reflecting in the seawater lagoon and the silhouette of Orson the giant standing on the dock, watching over the sea monster. Captain Crab’s boat was in the docking area next to the examination bay.
    â€œA Captain always sleeps with one eye on his boat,” Captain Crab told him.
    Ulf looked around the beast park. On Sunset Mountain he could see the flickering lights of moth-rocks, and up on the Great Grazing Grounds he could just make out the shadowy armorpod waving its trunk in the moonlight.
    â€œOld Farraway would’ve loved to have seen all this,” Captain Crab said. “All these beasts being looked after. Such wonderful modern facilities.”
    The Captain turned, his eyes glinting in the lamplight. “He was brilliant with beasts, old Farraway. He could track a vampire in the dark. He could coax a troll from its tunnel.”
    Ulf could see the Captain’s eyebrows moving up and down.
    â€œHe could hypnotize demons. He could even outsmart a sphinx.” The Captain tapped his hook to the side of his head. “Clever he was.”
    Then he pushed past Ulf and stepped over to his wooden chest.
    Tiana tugged at Ulf’s pocket. “Let’s go now,” she mouthed, pointing to the door.
    â€œDid the Professor really swim with Redbacks?” Ulf asked.
    â€œFor sure he did,” Captain Crab said. “ He wouldn’t let a sea monster die. He’d jump in and save it.”
    The Captain opened the padlock on his wooden chest. He lifted the lid and pulled out a bundle of netting, then stood up and began unravelling it. “Well, are you going to stand there all night?” he asked.
    Ulf was staring at the net. “What’s that for?”
    â€œIt’s my hammock,” the Captain said. “It rocks me back and forth like the sea.”
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Tiana whispered, tugging again at Ulf’s pocket.
    Ulf stepped over a pile of boxes, heading to the door. “Night, Captain,” he said. He left theCaptain’s room and closed the door behind him.
    Tiana flew out into the corridor, filling it with sparkles. “Thank goodness,” she said. “I thought we’d never leave.”
    Ulf didn’t reply. He looked left and then right. He was looking for Professor Farraway’s ghost, but there was no sign of the candle anywhere. “Why did Professor Farraway lead us to that room, Tiana?”
    â€œIt was just full of junk.”
    Ulf headed around the corner and down the stairs. From the top floor, he could hear the Captain singing. “When I was a boy my father said to me, ‘Yo ho ho, it’s a sailor’s life for thee….’”

Chapter 9
    ULF CAME OUT OF THE SIDE DOOR OF FARRAWAY Hall and stepped into the yard. He could see a light on in Dr. Fielding’s office. He peered in the window. She was working late, thumbing through her books.
    Tiana hovered in front of Ulf’s face. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
    Ulf was staring through the window at the venom extractor on Dr. Fielding’s desk. “Nothing,” he said.
    Tiana folded her tiny arms and frowned. “Hmmm, I know that look. You’re up to something, aren’t you?”
    â€œWhat if it does work?”
    â€œYou can’t use that thing, Ulf. You heard what Dr. Fielding said.”
    â€œWe have to try,” Ulf told her.
    Tiana looked up at the sky. “The moon’s affecting your mind,” she said.