Werewolf versus Dragon by David Sinden

wouldn’t send an inspector straightaway.”
    Dr. Fielding stood up and went to the window.
    Outside, a shiny black car was pulling up at the entrance gates.
    â€œAbout time,” Dr. Fielding said.
    â€œWho’s that?” Ulf asked, following her to the courtyard.
    Ulf watched as a man stepped out of the car. He was short and fat, dressed in a black coat and a bowler hat.
    â€œMy name’s Inspector Hector,” he said. “I’m from NICE. I’m very sorry I’m so late. I’ve come about the dragon.”
    â€œThen you’d better come inside. You can park next to that truck,” Dr. Fielding said.
    She pointed to the Baron’s big black truck in the courtyard. “We have much to discuss.”
    While Dr. Fielding led Inspector Hector to her office, Ulf headed to the tower. He ran up the spiral stairs to the observatory and grabbed The Book of Beasts from the table where he’d left it.
    He looked out of the window at the beast park. He looked toward the aviary. The Roc would be back home by now, he thought.
    Ulf heard a tapping sound and looked up. Drucethe gargoyle was dancing on the glass dome. He started singing: “He kills beasts just for fun. But not this time, cuz Fur Face won!”
    The gargoyle blew a loud raspberry at Ulf, then scuttled back along the rooftop to his perch.
    Ulf headed down the spiral staircase with The Book of Beasts .
    Halfway down, in the wall of the tower, he opened a door that led into the main house. He stepped into a dusty room with a grand piano. A giant moth was hanging from the ceiling, and wood lice the size of cats scurried across the floor.
    Ulf hurried through the room and out into the Gallery of Science. He ran the full length of the corridor, through the Room of Curiosities to the door of the library. The door creaked open, and Ulf stepped into the darkness.
    He felt his way to the painting. “Professor Farraway? Are you here?”
    A candle flickered on.
    â€œIt’s over. Marackai’s gone,” Ulf said.
    Ulf placed The Book of Beasts on the table beside the candle. “Thank you for the book, Professor,” he said.
    As he turned to leave, he heard a noise behind him. He looked back and saw the book floating toward him. It pushed itself into his hand.
    Ulf turned it over. On the back, written in dust, were the words:
    THIS BOOK WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE.
    â€œBut we’re safe now, Professor,” he said. “Aren’t we?”
    Ulf felt an icy draft pass straight through him, and the candle blew out.