9 SMELLY CLUES

CHAPTER 9 SMELLY CLUES As Alexander arrived on the thirteenth floor the next morning, he saw Principal Vanderpants. She was carrying the white bucket. Clouds of steam were rising from it! What could be in that bucket? he wondered. He pretended to use the water fountain as he watched his principal. She set her bucket down near the UPSTAIRS BASEMENT door. Then she unlocked the stone door, and hauled the bucket inside.

Alexander speed-walked to the door and put his ear to it. The scratching sounds were louder than yesterday. KER-CLICK The door began to open. Alexander dashed to Ms. Vanderpants's office and plopped in his seat. A minute later, Ms. Vanderpants arrived. She put down the now-empty white bucket and stared at Alexander.

"Uh, good morning," said Alexander. Ms. Vanderpants eyed Alexander. Then she dropped a thousand-page workbook on his desk. "Let's get to work, shall we?" Alexander got to work. Seventy-two pages later, the lunch bell rang. Alexander rushed downstairs. "Over here, Salamander!" shouted Nikki. The S.S.M.P. waved him to their table.

"Guys! Guess what!" said Alexander. "I saw the caboose-crasher last night! It dug through my garbage and then charged right at me!" Everyone gasped. "How come there's not a giant hole in your gut?" asked Rip. "I'm not sure," said Alexander. "The monster got close to me, but it sneezed and ran off. Here, I drew a sketch." "That thing sneezes?" said Rip. "So that puddle I fell in was actually... monster snot?!" "Hey," said Nikki. "There was snot all over our flower pots this morning!"

"And something dug up our compost heap," said Rip. "Moldy grapes, stale bread, wilted cabbage— all gone!" "I'm not sure if it's connected," said Dottie. "But yesterday I swear I saw an elephant's trunk sticking out behind my fence. I ran to look, but it had disappeared!" "Hmm..." said Alexander. "The monster I saw had a pig snout. And, like, a saw-blade-thing. And a rhino horn. But no trunk." "I guess we should keep our, uh, noses open for anything stinky," said Nikki. "In the meantime," said Alexander, "let's get ready for Dottie's birthday!" "Yes!" said Dottie. "Soon, we'll be partying like pirates! Remember, I'll meet you at the golf course."