The Black Heart Crypt

The nine ghosts were gone before the aunts finished chanting “there is nothing here for you” the second time.

Aunt Sophie pulled out a tiny spiral notebook and a stubby miniature-golf pencil. “Let’s see. These nine, plus Crazy Izzy, Little Paulie, and Eddie Boy. Nine plus one, carry the one, plus one, plus …”

“That is all twelve, Sophia,” said Aunt Hannah.

“Leaving us Barnabas,” said Aunt Ginny. “Who, they now inform us, was the worst Ickleby of all.”

Aunt Hannah nodded. “We must imprison the great deceiver’s soul.”

“We will,” said Aunt Ginny. “Just as soon as we forge a new sealing stone.” She unclasped her carpetbag and rummaged around inside. “Ah! Just what the doctor ordered.” She pulled out a pair of long-handled pliers. “Or, in this case, the dentist.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Zack.

“March into that crypt and yank out another tooth from that old phony’s skull!”