Stella Steller in 'The Mystery of the Haunted House": Part 4

By SIMON GRANT, Illustrator KATE WELLS

"What's wrong, Fester?" asked Stella, sticking her bottom out like a baboon to hide the octopus pool. "Has someone died?"

"No," said Fester sadly, "it's Mrs Hooper. She's being haunted by something."

"By a sea monster?"

"I don't know," said Fester. "But whatever it is, it comes in at night and leaves its sandy footprints all through the house."

"Has Mrs Hooper seen it?" asked Stella, feeling frightened and excited at the same time.

"She can't remember."

"No, of course she can't," said Stella. "How could I forget that Mrs Hooper always forgets."

"Can you please do something about it, Stella?" pleaded Fester. "If my parents find out about this sea monster thing, they might decide to move - and then I'd lose all my friends."

"What friends?" asked Stella.

Publisher: Breaksea Productions, $14.95

Age group: 5-9 years