The Berenstain Bears in Maniac Mansion Read Online Free PDF Page A

still there . . . ?”

Chapter 13
In the Old Library
    Riding crop held high, Squire Grizzly crept into the old library of the west wing. He had heard a noise there. Could it be the burglars?
    â€œSquire!” came Papa Bear’s voice from the direction of the ballroom. “Squire! Where are you?”
    But the squire didn’t answer. He was staring at a shelf filled with books. Hadn’t he just heard a clunk behind it?
    Squire Grizzly tiptoed to the bookshelf. He listened. Another clunk. He leaned toward the shelf until his ear was almost touching the books . . .
    All of a sudden the bookshelf folded inward and disappeared into the wall! Two arms shot out of the black space, grabbed Squire Grizzly around the neck, and pulled him in!
    Back into place swung the bookshelf.
    In the ballroom, Papa was getting worried. “Squire Grizzly?” he called again. “Are you all right?”
    The only room in the west wing that Papa hadn’t checked yet was the old library. So he went in and looked around. There was no one there. Nothing but rows and rows of dusty old books.
    â€œHmm,” Papa said to himself. “Maybe the squire didn’t come in here.”
    Papa suddenly felt very tired. After all, he had looked all over the west wing. He decided to rest for a few seconds before going on with his search.
    He noticed a comfortable-looking chair against one of the library walls. Better not , he thought. He remembered what Squire Grizzly had done to one chair already. But his feet ached. I’ll be extra careful , he thought.
    The moment Papa sat down, the wall opened up behind him and swallowed the chair with him still in it. Seconds later the chair slid back out, and the wall closed again.
    But the chair was empty!

Chapter 14
Bear Detective for a Day
    In the east-wing dining room, the cubs strained to hear.
    â€œPapa’s not calling anymore,” said Brother.
    â€œHe must have found Uncle Squire,” said Bonnie.
    â€œEither that,” said Sister, “or something bad happened to him.”
    â€œLike what?” said Cousin Fred.
    â€œLike maybe he was caught by the burglars,” said Sister. She looked as if she might cry.
    â€œYou’ve got it backwards,” said Fred. “Papa and the squire are trying to catch the burglars, not the other way around. And if I were a burglar and someone were trying to catch me, I’d run away.”
    â€œYou’re not a burglar,” said Sister.
    â€œNo, and I’m not a ghost , either,” said Fred.
    â€œKnock off the arguing, guys,” said Brother. “I think what we should do is call the police.”
    Brother dashed to the phone and called the police station. Deputy Hoskins answered and said that Chief Bruno and Officer Marguerite had taken the squad car to the other side of town. He would radio them right away, but it might take a while for them to get to Grizzly Mansion.
    â€œI don’t know if we can wait for them,” said Sister. “I’m worried about Papa. Let’s go look for him and the squire!”
    â€œBut Papa told us to stay here,” said Brother.
    â€œThat’s because he wants us to stay out of trouble,” said Sister. “But what if he’s in trouble?”
    Brother looked from Sister to Fred to Bonnie. “Sister’s right,” he said. “We’ve got to do something. Bonnie, I’m making you a Bear Detective for the day.”
    Brother went to the wall and took down several riding crops. He passed them out to the cubs. “Defend yourselves if you have to,” he said. “Let’s go!”

Chapter 15
Picking Up the Scent
    â€œPapa? Squire Grizzly?” the cubs called out as they stepped into the west wing of the mansion. But except for their own voices, there wasn’t a sound.
    â€œNow I know something’s happened to them,” said Sister.
    â€œCome on. Let’s check out the ballroom,” said