25-GOOD-BYE, DEAR CACKLEFURS

GOOD-BYE, DEAR CACKLEFURS The sun was sinking in the sky. Yes, all of these amazing adventures happened in just one day! "Get ready, my little CHEDDAR PUFF." Creepella said to me. "We're going back to New Mouse City." Creepella took my arm and led me to the dining hall. "But we just got here!" I protested. Believe it or not, I was starting to enjoy myself. Suddenly, the lights went out. I expected to hear a blast of thunder again. Instead, I heard a cheer. "Hooray for Geronimo Stilton!"

When the lights came back on, the whole Cacklefur family was standing there. They had hung a banner in the hall: COME BACK SOON, GERONIMO... DEAD OR ALIVE! Shivereen went to the piano. She played "THE WAILING WALTZ." Madame Latomb played along on her violin. Creepella grabbed me by the tail. "This DANCE is for me, my little spiderweb!" We waltzed around the hall. Candles cast a soft glow of light in the room. "This is my favorite waltz," Creepella said. "And you are my favorite mouse. When are we going to get married?" I remembered Professor Frankenstein's warning and turned pale. "Well, er, I

Luckily, the professor stood up to make an announcement. "Quiet, everyone!" he shouted. Then he walked over and hugged me. "It's a shame you have to leave, dear Gerbil," he said. "But before you go, we would like to give you something to say thank you." Professor Frankenstein gave me a black plaque. There was gold writing on it: THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED TO OUR NEW FRIEND GERONIMO STILTON HE BRAVELY SAVED THE CACKLEFUR FAMILY LIBRARY Boris gathered everyone together. "Time for a picture!" he shouted. "Say cheese!"

I put on my best smile. But then I felt someone pinch my tail. I turned around. Too late! The camera snapped the picture. "How nice," said Boneham. "Now you will always be a part of the Cacklefur family." I looked at the picture. "At least my back will be," I said. Creepella took my arm. "Ready, my little pumpkin? It's time to go." All of the Cacklefurs looked very sad. Snip and Snap gave me a small present. "It's for you, Geronimo!" they said. I was moved. Maybe they weren't such

BAD little mice after all. "Thank you," I said. I opened the present. It was a small coffin. "How nice," I said. I opened the lid. A small rubber skeleton popped out—and punched me in the snout! "Whose idea was this?" I asked angrily. "HE DID IT!" said Snip. "HE DID IT!" said snap. Shivereen brushed away a tear. "Can I call you Uncle Geronimo?" she asked. "I can't wait for the wedding. When will it be?" "NEVER!" I shrieked. Professor Frankenstein looked at his watch. "It's getting late, Godfrey. You really should be going. We will miss you, Gilroy!" "The name is Geronimo," I corrected him. I knew it was time to go. But I did not want to leave without giving a speech.

"My dear rodent friends," I began. "I just met you. But I feel like I have known you all my life. You will always be—" I couldn't finish the sentence. Creepella drove the hearse right into the dining hall! She grabbed my arm and pulled me inside. "Time to go to New Mouse City, my little spiderkins!" We SPED off. Behind me, I heard the Cacklefurs test "Hurrah for Geronimo Stilton. He is a strange mouse—but he is a true friend!"