Mysteries According to Humphrey Read Online Free Page B

mystery.”
    Mr. E. chuckled. “Why do you need Sherlock Holmes?
I’m
a Mister E.!”
    The mystery about Mister E. was this: When was he going to teach us anything?

    Lunchtime came at last and the classroom was quiet again, which was a relief.
    Then the door opened and something wonderful happened. Ms. Mac walked in.
    Ms. Mac was the substitute teacher who brought me from Pet-O-Rama, my first home (if you can call it that), to Room 26 of Longfellow School. But later, Mrs. Brisbane came back and Ms. Mac left and my heart was broken.
    Now Ms. Mac was a full-time teacher at Longfellow School, but in another classroom.
    Of course, I love Mrs. Brisbane, too. If I could have one wish come true, it would be that Ms. Mac and Mrs. Brisbane could both be my teachers at the same time!
    â€œHi.” Ms. Mac was smiling. “I’m Morgan McNamara from first grade.”
    Our substitute teacher shook her hand. “I’m Eddie Edonopolous, but the children call me Mr. E.”
    Ms. Mac smiled her big, beautiful smile. “I’m sure they like that. I subbed for Mrs. Brisbane last year, and if you need anything, just ask. Have you found her lesson plans?”
    â€œUh, no. Not yet,” he said.
    Ms. Mac opened one of Mrs. Brisbane’s desk drawers. “She keeps them in here in this binder. Mrs. Brisbane always has very thorough lesson plans.”
    â€œGreat,” Mr. E. said. “I’ve been getting to know the kids, you know, having a little fun.”
    â€œI just heard she might be out for a while,” Ms. Mac told him. “She really worries about her students when she’s not here.”
    That was nice to hear because, to squeak the truth, I was really worried about Mrs. Brisbane.
    â€œIf you have any questions, I’m right down the hall,” Ms. Mac said.
    â€œThanks,” Mr. E. said.
    Of course, Ms. Mac wouldn’t leave Room 26 without saying hello to Og and me.
    She came over to our table by the window. “How’s it going, Humphrey, you handsome hamster?” she asked.
    No wonder I love Ms. Mac! I scurried over to the side of my cage so I could get a closer look at her.
    â€œIt’s been a STRANGE-STRANGE-STRANGE day,” I replied. “Where is Mrs. Brisbane?”
    â€œI know you miss Mrs. Brisbane,” she said. Then she turned to Og. “And how’s my favorite frog today?”
    Og leaped into the water side of his tank and splashed loudly, which made Ms. Mac laugh. I love to hear her laugh.
    â€œI’ve got to eat,” she said, turning back to Mr. E. “Can I show you where the lunchroom is?”
    â€œSure, thanks,” he said, following her out the door.

    I rarely leave my cage during the day because it’s just too risky. However, this was an emergency. So while we were alone, I jiggled the lock on my cage and scurried over to Og’s tank. I’m so lucky to have a lock-that-doesn’t-lock. Humans always think it’s fastened tight, but I know how to wiggle it open.
    â€œOg,” I squeaked. “Something’s wrong!”
    â€œBOING-BOING!” he said. Then he dived from the land side of his tank to the water side.
    I had to scramble to stay dry. (Hamsters should never get wet.)
    Once he stopped splashing, I went back to the tank and said, “Mrs. Brisbane wouldn’t miss school unless something was terribly wrong! And Ms. Mac said she might be out for a while. Ms. Mac always tells the truth—right?”
    Og splashed frantically again, and again I scrambled for a dry spot.
    â€œOg, if you could splash a little less, I’d appreciate it,” I told him. “Although I know you are a frog and frogs do splash.”
    He must have understood, because he stopped.
    â€œSherlock Holmes always looks for clues,” I said. “So keep your ears open, okay?”
    I felt terrible as soon as I said it because Og doesn’t have any ears (that I can see, anyway).
    I