The Halloween Hoax Read Online Free PDF

“I am going to the Great Beyond—”
    Nadine clapped the fan over her mouth. “I mean—I am going trick-or-treating!” she said. “And I can’t wait!”
    Nancy stared at Nadine as she ran off. Did she just say “the Great Beyond”?
    â€œBess, George,” she said excitedly. She pulled the writing pad out of her backpack. “I think Nadine just gave us a new clue.”
    â€œWhat clue?” George asked.
    â€œNadine said she’s going to a place called the Great Beyond,” Nancy explained. “And we know she’s not a ghost.”
    â€œGhost? Did you say ghost?” asked a voice.
    Nancy spun around and saw Shelby.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me you saw a ghost?” Shelby asked. She then pointed to the pad in Nancy’s hand. “What’s that?”
    â€œIt’s Nancy’s Ghosts and No Ghosts columns,” Bess explained. “So far the Ghosts column has the most clues.”
    â€œNot anymore,” Nancy said. “I came up with a good reason for almost every Ghosts clue. Look at them, Shelby.”
    Shelby waved Nancy’s list away. Then she began running through the school yard. “Listen up, everybody!” she yelled. “The Clue Crew proved that Dudley’s studio really is haunted. So Dudley the Science Dude is innocent!”
    â€œGreat,” Nancy muttered. “Now everyone at school will believe in ghosts.”
    â€œDoes this mean the case is closed?” Bess asked.
    â€œIt is for Shelby,” George said. “Now let’s go on the monkey bars and figure out our trick-or-treat game plan.”
    The girls headed toward the monkey bars.Nancy could see Shelby telling everyone about Dudley. She hadn’t looked so happy in days!
    George is right , Nancy thought. The case is closed for Shelby. And I guess that’s what counts.
    â€œRemember,” Nancy said, “we’re only allowed to go into houses we know.”
    â€œCheck,” George said.
    It was four thirty in the afternoon. Nancy, Bess, and George were allowed to go trick-or-treating alone while it was still light outside.
    The girls were wearing their costumes for the third time since Friday. Nancy and Bess wore sweaters under their costumes. George wore a sweatshirt under her tin cans.
    â€œOur trick-or-treat bags are already half-full,” Bess said happily. “And we just got started.”
    They turned onto Rowan Street and walked down the block.
    â€œNeat!” Nancy said. “Look how many houses on this street are decorated for Halloween.”
    George pointed to an old gray house withchipping paint and broken shutters. A jack-o’-lantern grinned at them from a porch.
    â€œThat one doesn’t need decorations,” she said. “It already looks haunted!”
    Nancy gave a little groan. “No more ghost hunting, please. It’s time to hunt for candy bars.”
    â€œAnd boxes of raisins!” Bess added with a hop.
    â€œYeah!” said George. “And sticky, gooey caramel apples—”
    CREAK! The Clue Crew froze as the door of the old gray house opened slowly.
    â€œSomebody lives in there?” Bess gasped.
    â€œWho?” whispered George.
    The girls slipped behind a giant oak tree on the sidewalk. They peeked out and watched a man step out of the house. He was wearing a dingy white lab coat and clunky black boots. His hair fuzzed out like a dandelion puff.
    â€œIt’s Dr. Funk-n-Stine!” Bess hissed.
    â€œHe’s not wearing his orange lab coat,” George whispered. “And his hair looks whiterthan in the pictures. How do we know it’s him?”
    The man locked his door. Then he turned and stepped off his warped wooden porch.
    â€œThere’s only one way to find out,” Nancy told the others. “We have to follow him.”

Chapter Eight
    Monsters in the House
    Nancy huddled with Bess and George behind the tree. She could hear