23-A TRUE GENTLEMOUSE!

A TRUE GENTLEMOUSE! "These three you see here are the last surviving yetis in the Himalayas!" Professor von volt went on. He stared fondly at the cub. "I've been trying to cure this little guy with an herbal medicine. BUT IT'S NOT STRONG ENOUGH," he said, shaking his head. "That's why I needed my secret diary. It contains a SPECIAL FGRMUILR that just might work." I sprang to my paws and dug through my backpack. I found the diary and pawed it over to the professor. "Here you go!" I squeaked.

He took it, heaving a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you, Geronimo," he squeaked. "You have no idea how much this means to me!" Minutes later, he had found the page with the SECRET FGRMULR. He grabbed a test tube and set to work. I smiled. Professor von Volt loves working in his laboratory as much as I love reading a first-rat book! After a while, the professor held up a bottle. "This will do the trick!" he announced. He fed the young YETI a spoonful of the new medicine. Then he took my paw in his. "My dear Geronimo," he said. "Thanks to you, we have just saved the last existing YETI cub!" I felt a twinge of pride. Maybe I wasn't the bravest or the strongest mouse on the block.

And maybe I wasn't even the best sportsmouse. OK, I admit it. I am always the last rodent picked for the team. But I was something even better. I was a good friend! "There's something I need to tell you, Geronimo," the professor said. "Six months ago, I had set up my lab on a small desert island in the RATLANTIC OCEAN. But then someone tried to steal my latest invention, a time-travel machine. So I was forced to move to this cave. But someone is still after my secrets. I've decided to move the lab again to a submarine. We'll See if..."

"A submarine!" I squeaked. The professor sure was one well-traveled mouse! "My dear friend, I am very glad I got to see you again. But I need just one more favor," the professor continued. lowering his voice. "I know the discovery of yetis would be a sensational scoop. But I would be grateful if you did not tell anyone about their existence. They are extremely SHY creatures. They would be deeply upset by

nosy journalists. What do you say, Geronimo?" I placed a paw on my heart, "Of course, Professor," I agreed. "I give you my rodent's word of honor. You can count on me!" He chuckled. Then he wrapped me in a furry hug. "You are a true gentlemouse!" he squeaked.