The Howling Ghost Read Online Free

if it would collapse the moment he stepped on it.
    Fortunately, the ocean was calm. The waves brushing against the jetty were only a foot high. Adam believed if he fell in the water, he’d have no troublegetting out. But then Sally started on her gruesome history of Spooksville again.
    â€œIt was near here that Jaws lost his leg,” Sally said as they stared down at the water that separated them from the lighthouse.
    â€œWho?” Adam asked, with regret.
    â€œDavid Green,” Sally said. “He was the guy I told you about. He was out on his boogie board when a great white shark came by and bit off his right leg. In fact, I think it was almost at this exact spot.”
    â€œI thought you said he was close to shore when he was attacked,” Adam said, glancing back the way they had come. Jumping from rock to rock to reach the end of the jetty had not been difficult, but they were nevertheless pretty far from the beach. Adam wouldn’t like to be out on the jetty when the surf was up. The waves would crash right over them.
    â€œI can’t remember every detail,” Sally replied. “All I know is if you go in this water, you will probably come out with pieces missing.”
    Adam turned to Watch. “The bridge looks as if it’s about to fall. I don’t know if we should risk it.”
    â€œThe girls weigh less,” Watch said. “We should send one of them across first to see how it holds up.”
    â€œWatch!” Sally yelled. “You miserable coward!”
    â€œI was just making a logical suggestion,” Watch said.
    â€œI’ll go first,” Cindy said quietly. “If my brother’s in the lighthouse, I should be the one to take the biggest risks.”
    Sally patted her on the back. “I wish I had a sister as devoted as you.”
    Adam stepped between them. “Wait a second. This isn’t right. One of us guys should go first.”
    â€œAre you forgetting that there are only two of us guys here?” Watch asked.
    â€œWhy are you being such a coward?” Adam asked. “It’s not like you.”
    Watch shrugged. “I don’t want to hurt Cindy’s feelings, but I think the chances that her brother is locked in the lighthouse are lousy. For that reason I don’t want to lose a leg or an arm.” He paused and glanced at Cindy, who had lowered her head at his words. “But if you all want to give it a try, I’ll go first.”
    Watch took a step toward the rickety bridge. Adam stopped him.
    â€œI’m lighter than you,” Adam said. “I’ll go first.”
    Watch glanced down at the blue water, which had begun to churn slightly since they arrived. “All right,”Watch said. “If the bridge breaks, get out of the water as quick as you can.”
    Adam nodded and felt his heart pound in his chest. He was about to take his first step onto the bridge when a hand touched his arm. It was Cindy. Her face was creased with worry. For the second time that day he thought how beautiful her blue eyes were, how bright the sun shone in her blond hair.
    â€œBe careful, Adam,” Cindy whispered.
    Adam smiled. “I’m used to danger. It doesn’t faze me.”
    â€œYeah,” Sally said sarcastically. “Mr. Kansas City grew up wrestling great white sharks in his backyard swimming pool.”
    Adam ignored Sally and turned back to the bridge. It had handrails that were made of rope and looked every bit as old as the wooden planks beneath them. Carefully placing his weight on the first plank, Adam took a step above the water. He had to try hard not to glance down at the water. It looked awfully cold and deep. If he stared real hard he could imagine huge shapes just below the surface.
    Adam took another step forward. The bridge creaked uneasily and sagged beneath him. He now had his entire weight on it. A third step forward caused the bridge to sink even more. It was onlytwenty