Bruno and Bud V: Campus Ghost Story

Author: Gordon Kormon (Canada) and translated by Lin Zheng
Translator: Lin Zheng / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Brother of Buz, Edward, also comes to MacDonald Boys' School to study. His mischievous antics even surpass those of Bruno and Buz, making the two seniors very annoyed. A series of pranks occur at the school: the oak tree grows apples, a downpour occurs in the classroom, the swimming pool mysteriously changes color, traffic rolls through the campus, and statues wear diving suits. The perpetrator remains elusive, never caught, and is much cleverer than Bruno and Buz. Yet, the punishments always fall on them. They swear to find the mischievous prankster who has tarnished their reputation. To this end, they resort to all kinds of underhanded detective methods, even making the honest Elmer and the loyal girls at the girl's school suspects. However, like a typical detective novel, all seemingly suspicious suspects are ultimately proven innocent. In the end, Bruno, who has a deep understanding of criminal psychology, sets a perfect trap and finally manages to expose the culprit. But the culprit clearly possesses considerable power, and Bruno and Buz dare not report him. [Excerpt:] Mr. Sturkey stubbornly straightened his shoulders: "The pain is in someone else's feet, so of course you can speak lightly. The unlucky thing is that it hurts terribly." "You really have a child's temper," she scolded, "Can't you just call the doctor and schedule the surgery?" The principal lowered his chin and said nothing. "Besides, how can you arbitrarily suspect students?" the principal's wife continued, "You have no evidence that Bruno and Buz left the campus last night." The principal smiled bitterly: "I don't need any evidence to prove that the sun will rise tomorrow, but I will definitely see it. I'm surprised that Miss Scrimmage hasn't come here yet to complain about our students trespassing on her school." "Forget it, that's just nonsense—" Ding-dong. Mrs. Sturkey quickly went to open the door: "Don't stand up, dear. I'll see who it is." "I know who it is," he muttered. Voices came from the hall, then his wife returned to the kitchen, followed by Miss Scrimmage. "Look, William. We have guests." "Miss Scrimmage—truly unexpected. How can I help?" Miss Scrimmage took off her white gloves and feathered hat and sat down at the table, taking the coffee Mrs. Sturkey offered her. "Mr. Sturkey," she said, "Oh, this isn't entirely a social visit." "I'm so sorry, Buz," Larry said as he walked through the campus with Bruno and Buz, "I just opened the door, but suddenly the Niagara Falls came down!" "Don't worry, Larry," Bruno reassured him, "We know it wasn't you. It was the ghost." Larry stared at him: "Who?" "There's a mischievous ghost at MacDonald Boys' School. It's him who caused all these strange things." "Yes, but I'm sure the 'Fish' thinks we're the culprits," Buz said angrily, "Otherwise, why did they call us to the office?" "Hey, Larry," Bruno said as the three entered the administration building, "What did you find out about the 'Fish' and his cane?" "He just said he had a minor illness," Larry whispered, "But I accidentally heard him talking on the phone about having surgery." "I knew it!" Bruno shouted, "The 'Fish's' illness isn't light!" "I've never heard of malaria having any feelings," Sidney interjected. "Enough of this nonsense," Bruno said, "I should remind you that we still have work to do. We need to figure out what those girls were doing last night. Let's go." They continued their procession, with Sidney at the back. The seven boys walked single file across the road and quietly climbed over the fence. Bruno sat down on the grass. "Alright, everyone gather close to the woods," he whispered. "Who has dog biscuits? In case Rex shows up, we'll need them." Peter raised a bag: "Here. We don't have dog biscuits, so I had to bring hard bread instead." "Hey, give me two," Weib said, "I'm a bit hungry." Elmer spoke, but his voice was trembling: "Didn't you say Rex doesn't have to worry anymore because he's so fat and lazy?" "Yes, he's too fat to bite," Buz explained, "But as soon as he barks, Miss Scrimmage will bother us." Bruno led the group into the woods. He took a headcount and noticed something was wrong. "Hey, wait, we should have seven people. Who's missing?" The boys checked each other. "Oh no!" Buz shouted, "Where's Sidney?" "Probably fell headfirst somewhere," Weib said disdainfully. "Alright," Bruno sighed, "We have to find him, or the eagles will get him." They scattered around and began searching for Sidney in the grass, then reported back to Bruno one by one. "No," Larry said. "Not found," Buz said. "He seems to have disappeared," Elmer decided. "He must be dead," Weib muttered. Bruno waited for Peter's report. Silence. "Oh no! Don't lose another one! What's wrong with this place?" The boys couldn't believe their eyes. Now Peter was gone too! "It's strange," Buz whispered, "It's like there's a bear outside, eating us one by one!" "It's terrifying!" Elmer trembled. "Just now, I heard," Weib said gloomily, "the hard bread was with Peter." Larry pulled his sweater tighter: "What do we do?" He swayed back a step and then, in the shock of the other boys, disappeared. "I'm going to catch that guy," Bruno said firmly, "even if it takes me the rest of my life!" Larry crossed his arms: "I don't care how sick the 'Fish' is; I'm really angry about this. He doesn't have to expel you." The words "expel" hung in the air before them. Peter broke the silence, his voice barely audible: "Without you two, MacDonald will become dull." Larry nodded sadly: "Without Bruno and Buz, MacDonald is just a third-rate school." "No!" Bruno jumped up and shouted passionately, "MacDonald is still the best school in the country! I don't care what happens to me! Whoever tries to belittle my school will have to deal with me!" "It's no longer your school, Bruno," Buz whispered to him. "Come on," Christopher warned them, "because of this painting, I'm going to get a hard beating from Coach Flynn. At least you should stay away from it and let the ghost make the first move." Buz frowned worriedly: "I hope the ghost gets a chance to act. As soon as we put this poster up, every student will want to write their initials on it." "They will," Weib confirmed. "Look who's here," Christopher called. The office door opened, and Mr. Sturkey, supported by his wife, shuffled out. He stared at the poster, his eyes wide behind his glasses. "Good heavens," he said in a faint voice, "What a strong fellow!" Mrs. Sturkey smiled brightly. "An excellent painting, impressive, just like all your works, Christopher. Congratulations." Christopher blushed and stammered his thanks. "Are you alright, sir?" Bruno asked nervously, "I think your leg is limping more now." "No, Bruno," Mr. Sturkey gritted his teeth in pain, "I feel as healthy as—ah, Coach Flynn!" he exclaimed, relieved to change the subject. Coach Flynn ran into the building: "Good morning, everyone. I can't wait to see Christopher's new poster, it's for—wow!" he froze at the sight of the discus thrower. "Great, right?" Bruno said enthusiastically. "What? Ah, yes—great!" the coach's throat seemed to be stuck, "But why does it—uh—look like this?" Everyone wanted to ask the same question. Christopher broke the silence: "Are you disappointed?" His pride was clearly hurt. "No!" the coach said quickly, "I like it! It—looks bigger than the real thing!" All the students at MacDonald School thought the same. The entire day, a crowd gathered around the poster, pointing and laughing.