Wolf Trap by Benjamin Hulme-Cross Read Free Book Online

Chapter 3
Bones
    They went in the village inn. Mr Blood and the Sheriff sat at a table and made plans.
    Edgar and Mary looked around. Hanging on the walls were lots of bones. There were dog skulls and deer horns, and shark jaw bones with razor-sharp teeth.
    A serving maid called Anne came to talk to the Sheriff. She spoke quietly but Edgar and Mary could just hear what she was saying.
    â€œThey shouldn’t be here,” Anne said, pointing at Edgar and Mary.
    â€œSssh,” said the Sheriff with a thin smile.

    â€œThis is no place for children,” said Anne. “It’s one thing to bring Mr Blood here. He is a werewolf hunter. It’s his job to go into danger. But we all know what werewolves do to children.”
    The Sheriff’s smile faded. He looked angry now.
    Anne went on. “It’s not right to put these children in danger.
They
aren’t werewolf hunters. This is wrong.”
    â€œThese people are our guests. Don’t be rude,” said the Sheriff crossly.
    Anne stamped off and began mopping the floor.
    â€œI don’t like this,” she said to herself.
    â€œI’m going to talk to Anne,” Mary told Edgar.
    â€œExcuse me,” she said to Anne.
    â€œYes, dear?” Anne looked up. She had a kind face.
    â€œYou don’t need to worry about us, you know,” said Mary. “Mr Blood looks after us.”

    Edgar laughed. He didn’t think Mr Blood looked after them very well.
    â€œI’m sure he takes good care of you, dear,” said Anne. “It’s a long time since I’ve seen someone your age, that’s all.”
    â€œThere must be some children on the island,” said Mary.
    Anne’s eyes filled with tears and she looked away. “There are no children. Not any more,” she said. “And you should not be here now. It’s not right.”

    Anne looked sad and angry. “Go and sit with Mr Blood,” she said. “Stay close to him.”
    Mary and Edgar walked back to the table and sat down.
    â€œSo, this is the plan,” the Sheriff was saying. “I tell everyone to come to the barn before nightfall. We count heads every hour, to make sure nobody leaves.”

    â€œThat’s right,” said Mr Blood.
    â€œAnd we wait for the werewolf to change from human to wolf,” said the Sheriff.

    â€œYes,” said Mr Blood. “Werewolves have to turn into wolves on the night of the full moon. If you have a werewolf on the island, it will change shape tonight. And if everyone is in the barn, we will see it happen.”
    â€œAnd what will you do?” asked the Sheriff.
    â€œI will kill it,” replied Mr Blood.

Chapter 4
The Barn
    About forty men and women came to the barn that evening.
    Mary and Edgar stood at the back of the barn. The men and women kept turning to stare at them.

    â€œI don’t like this,” Mary whispered to Edgar. “Why are there are no children here?”
    â€œI know,” said Edgar. “Something is wrong with this island.”
    The Sheriff called for everyone to listen.
    â€œFriends! It is a full moon tonight.” The Sheriff pointed at Mr Blood. “And we all know why this man is here.”

    â€œHe kills werewolves,” said a woman.
    â€œHe wants to kill one of us,” growled one of the men.
    Other men agreed with him. They didn’t seem happy to see the Dark Hunter.
    Mr Blood spoke up.
    â€œYou have nothing to fear from me unless you are hiding a very dark secret. Maybe there is a werewolf on the island. Maybe not.”

    A few people laughed.
    â€œTonight we will find out,” said Mr Blood. “Is everyone on the island here?”
    â€œWe are all in this barn,” replied the Sheriff.
    â€œGood. Then lock the door, please, and hand me the key,” said Mr Blood.
    â€œOf course,” said the Sheriff. His face twisted in a strange smile.

    Edgar and Mary pushed through the crowd. They wanted to