05-THAT'S HITTING BELOW THE BELT!

THAT'S HITTING BELOW THE BELT! The phone rang again. This time it was LEONA MISERMOUSE. She is the owner of 17 Swiss Cheese Center. She is very rich, but she hates to spend any money. She reminds me of Grandfather William. "Good morning, Mr. Stilton," Leona began. She sounded nervous. "I'm afraid I must ask you to leave the building. This morning a one-eyed rat offered me an ENORMOUSE amount of money to rent out your offices. Of course, I said yes." I felt like I had been hit by a cheese truck. "WHAT?

Are you kicking us out of the building?" "I'm ever so sorry," said Leona. But she didn't sound sorry. "I would like you to leave as soon as possible. The new owner's furniture will be there THIS AFTERNOON." "This afternoon!" I squeaked louder than a mouse whose tail has been run over by a cheese delivery truck. "This is outrageous!" My anger did not seem to bother Leona Misermouse. "Business is business, Mr. Stilton," she said. "The owner of The Roaring Rat offered me so much money, I couldn't say no." I hung up the phone. I fell back into my chair. I thumped my snout on my desk. "Things are much, much, much, much, much worse than I thought!" I moaned.