Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Aghostwhocouldnotsighandgroanwasuseless,Karlssondeclared—itwasthefirstthingalittleghostlearnedatghostschool.

           Italltooktime.Whenatlasttheywerestandinginthehall,readytogooutonthelandingtobeginthehaunting,theyheardanoddscratchingsoundatthefrontdoor.AtfirstEricthoughtitmustbeMommyandDaddycominghomeearly,butthenhecaughtsightofalongpieceofwirewhichwasbeingpushedthroughtheletterbox.Ericrememberedsomethinghehadheardhisfatherreadingaloudtohismotherfromthenewspaperonlyafewdaysearlier.Itsaidinthepaperthatthereweremanythievesaboutatpresentandthattheybrokeintohomes.Thethieveswereverycunning:firsttheytelephonedtofindoutiftherewasanyoneathome.Iftherewasnoreplytheyhurriedtothehousetheyhadphoned,andthenalltheyhadtodowastopickthelock,walkin,andstealeverythingofvalue.

           Ericwasterriblyfrightenedwhenherealizedthatthieveswereabouttobreakin,andsowereBridgetandChristopher.ChristopherhadshutJoffaupinEric’sroomtopreventhimfrombarkingduringthehaunting.Nowhewassorryhehaddoneso.

           ButKarlssonwasnotfrightened—farfromit.

           "Calm,becalm!"hewhispered."Onoccasionssuchasthisyoucan’tdobetterthantohaveaghostaround.Comeon!We’llcreepintothesittingroom—Isupposethat’swhereyourfatherkeepshischunksofgoldandhisdiamonds,"hesaidtoEric.