Beware the Fisj Read Online Free

us!”
    Miss Scrimmage sat down on the bed under which Elmer Drimsdale cowered, paralyzed with fear. “You poor darlings,” she said comfortingly. “You have nothing to fear while I am here. I can smell an intruder anywhere!”
    Underneath the bed, some dust went up Elmer’s nose. He sneezed.
    “
Gesundheit
, dear,” said Miss Scrimmage.
    “Thank you,” said Cathy and Diane both at the same time.
    “Would you two girls like me to spend the night in your room?” the Headmistress offered kindly.
    “No!” cried Diane.
    “What she means,” said Cathy quickly, “is that she has this terrible cold — you heard her sneeze — and we wouldn’t want you to catch it.”
    “Oh,” said Miss Scrimmage. “How thoughtful of you. But Catherine might catch it too. Come along, Diane. To the infirmary with you. I shall look after you.”
    With a glance of pure hatred at her grinning roommate, Diane followed Miss Scrimmage from the room. Cathy dragged Elmer out from under the bed. “All clear,” she said cheerfully.
    Elmer mouthed the words, “I think I’m going to be sick.” His voice was gone again.
    “I can understand how this sort of thing might upset you, this being your first time here,” she said sympathetically. “I’ll get a cold cloth for your head. You’ll have to stick around for a couple of hours anyway, until the heat’s off. Meanwhile, please make yourself comfortable. There’s a nice bed over there. Diane won’t be needing it tonight.”
    Elmer moaned and lay down, gingerly trying to sort out the events of the evening.
    * * *
    “Where can he be?” exclaimed Bruno for the umpteenth time, pacing the floor like a worried father.
    “I don’t care where he is!” cried Boots. “Bruno, will you think of us for a minute? The Fish is going to kill us tomorrow!”
    “But what about Elmer? He’s helpless! And we just left him there!” Bruno was stricken with guilt.
    “We didn’t leave him. We were marched away at gunpoint.” Boots sighed miserably. “Don’t worry, Bruno. The way our luck has been running tonight, he’ll probably turn up safe and sound!”

Chapter 3
Attention, World!
    It was four o’clock in the morning when Bruno and Boots were awakened by a frantic scratching at the window. The two boys rushed over and pulled Elmer in.
    He was a sight to behold. His face was shiny with perspiration, and his usually neat crew cut was standing on end. He was twitching nervously and his eyes were wild. He looked like a hunted animal.
    “Where have you been?” stormed Bruno. “We’ve been worried sick!”
    His shaky knees collapsing under him, Elmer sat down on the floor to tell his tale of woe. “It was horrible!” he croaked. “After those two girls saved me from Miss Scrimmage they wouldn’t let me leave! They made me hide under the bed! When Miss Scrimmage came in and sat down on the bed, I was terrified!”
    Bruno and Boots could bear it no longer. They burst into uncontrollable laughter.
    Elmer was outraged. “It’s not amusing! And besides, they told Miss Scrimmage the most horrid lies about you. They said you were terrorizing them until she came along and saved them!”
    By this time Bruno and Boots had collapsed to the floor in hysterics.
    “Then I had to stay there for three hours before that Cathy person would let me leave,” Elmer continued. “It was the most harrowing experience of my life!”
    “No more, Elmer!” gasped Bruno, exhausted. “I can’t stand it!”
    Boots caught his breath. “Not bad for a first time out! Elmer, I’m nominating you for Rookie of the Year!”
    “It’s all very well for you to laugh,” protested Elmer reproachfully. “You didn’t have to go through what I did.”
    “Hah!” said Boots. “Old Scrimmage marched us to The Fish at gunpoint and he almost had a fit! We’ve got to see him in the office at eight o’clock. We’re cooked!”
    Elmer turned even paler. “Does — does Mr. Sturgeon know about me?”
    “No, he