Spell of the Screaming Jokers by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

I made our way down a dim hallway. The doors along it were all closed. Cats followed us, winding in and out among our feet.
    I stopped before a door and cracked it open. Only a bathroom.
    We walked to the next door.
    â€œWhat if it’s her bedroom?” Louisa whispered. “What if she’s in there?”
    Louisa’s panic was catching. I could hardly hear her over my pounding heart.
    I had to force myself to take hold of the old glass knob and twist.
    I started to push open the door.
    But all of a sudden Frankie and Jeff appeared. Frankie shoved me aside. He raced into the room ahead of me, laughing wildly.
    â€œFrankie! What’s wrong with—” I began.
    I broke off.
    We’d found Mrs. Marder’s bedroom.
    A big four-poster bed stood against one wall. Facing it I saw a chest of drawers. Set in another wall was a big window. And then . . .
    Whoa!
    An enormous telescope stood by the window!
    I stepped into the room.
    It was filled with even more black cats. They sat on the floor, glaring at us with glowing yellow eyes.
    Frankie peered through the telescope. He turned to me, grinning. “Take a look!” he crowed.
    I put my eye to the telescope—and gasped. “I don’t believe it!”

15

    I saw part of a room.
    Max’s room!
    The telescope was aimed right at Max’s window!
    I backed away, speechless.
    Louisa took a turn at the telescope. Her eyes were wide when she moved her head away from it.
    Now it was Jeff’s turn. He bent down to take a look. Then he stared at me.
    â€œMaybe you’re right, Brittany,” he whispered. “Maybe Mrs. Marder does have something to do with the jokers.”
    â€œOf course I’m right!” I exclaimed. “She’s beenspying on us. Watching us play cards. That’s why she used jokers for her evil spell!”
    â€œWhat are we going to do?” Louisa asked.
    â€œWe have our proof,” I began. “Now—”
    But that’s as far as I got.
    Suddenly the cats raced out the bedroom door. All at once. As if they had been called.
    â€œShe’s home!” Louisa’s voice squeaked. “We’re trapped!”
    â€œCome on!” Jeff whispered. He tiptoed quickly out of the bedroom. We followed right behind him.
    Mrs. Marder’s voice floated down the hallway to us. We could hear her talking to her cats.
    â€œShe’s at the front door,” Jeff whispered.
    He led the way silently to the kitchen. To the back door.
    He turned the knob.
    I didn’t hear any click.
    He turned it again.
    Nothing.
    He began pulling on the door—hard!
    But the door didn’t open.
    It was locked!
    Cats started streaming into the kitchen. Howling madly.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, my little pets?” Mrs. Marder asked.
    Oh, no! She’s coming. She’s right behind them!
    Jeff pulled on the door with all his strength.
    It wouldn’t budge.

16

    I grabbed the doorknob.
    I yanked on it frantically. No use. The door was stuck tight.
    â€œDo something!” Louisa whimpered. “She’s coming!”
    Frankie leapt to the door. He was grinning an awful grin.
    He shoved Jeff and me aside and grabbed the doorknob. The door swung open.
    How did he do that? I wondered. But I wasn’t about to stop and ask. The four of us charged through the door at the same time!
    We ran for our lives.
    We raced through Mrs. Marder’s backyard toMax’s. I didn’t dare look over my shoulder. What if she was behind us? Chasing us?
    Jeff rang the doorbell again and again—until Mrs. Davidson opened it.
    â€œMrs. Davidson!” Louisa cried as she rushed in. “Help!”
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Mrs. Davidson asked. “Why are you all out of breath?”
    â€œIt’s too hard to explain,” Jeff told her once we were safely inside. “But we can’t play cards with Max anymore.”
    Mrs. Davidson’s eyes grew wide. “Why