16-SHOW YOUR SNOUT!

SHOW YOUR SNOUT! We were still in the phone booth when we heard more voices. One was a female's. It was loud. It was abrasive. Yes, I knew that voice well. It belonged to Sally Ratmousen, my number- one enemy. "I can't wait to beat The Rodent's Gazette to this scoop," Sally snickered. "That nitwit Stilton won't know what hit him!" I seethed with anger. Sally was with her editor in chief, Pawsley Pinhead. The poor mouse was examining the ground through his magnifying glass. "Move your tail, PINHEAD!" Sally shrieked. Pawsley licked his whiskers. Sweat dripped down his fur. "Um, Boss, may I go

and get a cheese ice cream from the vending machine?" he mumbled. Sally thumped her tail. "Ice cream, my paw! START SEARCHING, PINHEAD! I want some clues and I want them right now! At once! Immediately!" Just then, I felt a sneeze coming on. Quick as a flash, Trap held my snout with his paw. Sally pricked up her ears. "I could swear I just heard Geronimo Stilton," she muttered.

"But, Boss, we're the only ones down here," Pawsley insisted. Sally just pinched his ear. "Get to work, PINHEAD!" she squeaked. Suddenly, we heard a terrifying meowing. It was the phantom cat! Pawsley turned as pale as a piece of mozzarella, "I dare you to come out and show your ugly feline snout!" Sally shouted. As IF IN REPLY, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. So did Pawsley. He ran off in the dark. Sally ran after him. "Come back, you coward, or I'll fire you!" she squeaked.