9 FISHING FOR ANSWERSGhapter

CHAPTER 9 FISHING FOR ANSWERS Despite the night crawlers' weird warning, Alexander, Rip, and Nikki all had to get home for dinner. Alexander dropped his backpack as he came in the door.

"Son?" said his dad. "Have you been battling fearsome enemies?" "Dad I can explain! Those balloon goons were "Balloons?" His dad chuckled. "I was thinking pirates or musketeers!" He pointed to Alexander's backpack. Alexander exhaled. "Oh, that!" He yanked out his practice foil. "That's just homework." He bounded up the stairs. "Call me when dinner's ready!"

Alexander sat down at his desk and made a list of questions and clues. 1. WHERE IS MR. HOARSELY? -He got a scary phone call. -He left in a hurry. 2. WHAT DOES S.S.M.P. STAND FOR? 3. WHO IS COACH GILL REALLY? -She got mad when I mentioned Mr. Hoarsely. -She won't take off her mask. 4. HOW COULD WORMS WRITE A MESSAGE? 5. WHAT DOES "THE FISH ARE COMING" MEAN?

The fish... thought Alexander. Wasn't there something about fish in the notebook? He turned past the mostly ripped-out first page and began thumbing through the book. He stopped at a page filled with fish. This is it! he thought.

TUNNEL FISH A creature that can "swim" underground it drools A LOT, which loosens the dirt, making it easy to dig. SIDE EFFECT Tunnel-fish slobber makes night crawers super smart, allowing them to read and write.

TEE-HEE! Tunnel fish have ticklish tongues. HABITAT Dirt, soil, mud. Not cement. DIET Anything smaller than itself. When tunnel fish are near, worms flee to the sidewalks for safety. Tunnel fish will sleep for 99 years after a big meal. WARNING! Don't get tunnel fish drool on you- It's super-gross!