"Welcome to the Grand Opening of the Francis Staroba Haunted Maze!"

A cheer rose up from the impatient crowd. Near the front, Bob Andrews grinned and glanced at his two friends. First Investigator Jupiter Jones was staring at the gate as though transfixed, his mind obviously already working its way through the maze. On the other side of him, Second Investigator Pete Crenshaw was looking around with a worried look on his face.

"We'll be opening the gates in a few minutes," the announcer called out. "Sorry about the delay, folks, but I promise we'll kick it off as soon as we can. While we're waiting, let me take a moment to say a few words about the man who originally created this maze: The late great Mr. Francis Staroba, one of Hollywood's greatest directors!"

Another cheer. The announcer continued talking about the famed director, going over the same information that Bob, the trio's Records and Research man, had researched over the past few days. Francis Staroba, who had directed some of the goriest and most well-known horror movies in Hollywood history, had recently passed away and left his entire estate to his oldest son, George. George had, in turn, restored the old mansion and grounds – including a maze that covered four square acres – and turned it into a tourist attraction.

Of course, the man with the microphone wasn't talking about everything Bob had learned, like the fact that Staroba's younger son had contested the will, declaring that he had seen a more recent copy that divided the estate between the two brothers. It was quickly becoming a huge scandal, which only served to attract a larger crowd to the Grand Opening.

Bob turned his attention back to the announcer, who was giving instructions. "There are numbered signs throughout the maze, with one horror movie trivia question on each sign. If you choose Answer A, you will turn left. Answer B means straight ahead and Answer C means a right turn. If you answer all questions correctly, you should be able find your way directly to the exit. The first person or group to finish the maze wins the $500 cash prize!"

Bob glanced at his friends again. Jupiter was the one who had convinced them to join him here tonight. With Bob's recent research, Jupe's knowledge of Hollywood trivia, and Pete's unerring sense of direction, they were the perfect team for a contest like this. Besides, the maze was going to be "haunted" with dozens of special effects and actors in spooky costumes. It promised to be a thrilling way to spend this Halloween night.

"Something is wrong," Jupiter said quietly.

"I'll tell you what's wrong," Pete announced. "We deal with enough scary and spooky stuff every time we handle a case as The Three Investigators. I can't believe we actually paid to come here and let someone scare us."

"George Staroba is supposed to be here," Jupe continued as though Pete hadn't spoken. "According to all of the publicity surrounding the opening, Staroba was going to make a speech about his father before officially opening the grounds to the public. Instead, someone else is speaking, and the opening has been delayed by nearly thirty minutes. Something must be wrong."

There was a commotion near the gates at the front of the maze. They were opening to allow groups and individuals through the three entrances at two-minute intervals.

As the boys neared the entrance, they saw a short, heavyset man set down the microphone and speak urgently into a cell phone. "George, it's Chad again," they heard the man say. "I don't know where you are, but you had better call me as soon as you get this message. You know I can't give away the prize without you here. Where the heck are you?"

"Curious," said Jupe. He hurried through the first gate, followed by his friends. "It would seem that the man who arranged all of this hasn't managed to show up for the big event."

"Yeah, yeah," Pete muttered. "Let's just get going. I don't like this."

Bob really couldn't blame him. The maze was dark, with ivy-covered walls of dark stone, and paths that were barely wide enough for the boys to move along in single file. The high walls blocked out the sound of the crowd outside and gave an eerie, warped echo to their steps and hushed voices. Lights placed at random intervals did more to create creepy shadows than to cast any helpful light; even the boys' flashlights did little to dispel the gloom.

"Okay, let's find the first sign," Jupe decided. He set off at a brisk pace, followed by Bob and then Pete. A few minutes in, they came upon a second path that crossed the one they were on. At the intersection of the two paths, there stood a wooden post with a bright red "1" painted on it.

"Question number one," Jupe read. "The German film Wir Sind Die Nacht is based on what classic vampire novel? Our choices are 'Twilight', 'Dracula' or 'Carmilla'."

"'Dracula'," Bob answered. "We know it's not 'Twilight', and I've never heard of 'Carmilla', so my guess is 'Dracula'."

"I admire your logic, but your answer is incorrect. The answer is 'Carmilla', which was arguably the first vampire novel published," Jupe told him.

"Who would know that?" Pete demanded. "Seriously, who knows things like that?"

"I do. That answer means we turn right. Let's move along."

Bob followed him, with Pete close behind. So close, in fact, that he kept stepping on Bob's heels. "Back off a few steps, Pete," he told his tall, nervous friend.

Pete grunted, but moved back a few inches.

Jupe and Bob decided the next few answers - Albin Grau, 1958 Chevrolet Fury, Griffin Dunne - with ease. They kept their voices low so as not give away any answers. From time to time, they glimpsed other contestants or costumed actors who tried to frighten them, but their progress was fairly uneventful. Pete, however, became more uneasy with every sound or moving shadow.

"Do you want to walk in the middle?" Bob asked.

"N-no. I just keep hearing something walking behind us. It's giving me the creeps."

"It's supposed to give you the creeps. It's a haunted maze, remember?"

Pete grunted again.

A sudden shriek rang out off to their left, followed by the sound of running footsteps pounding down the trail nearby.

"Watch out!" Pete shouted.

A shadowy figure lurched out of the gloom toward them. His skin was greenish and his tattered clothes were splattered with a dark substance that was disturbingly red in the dim light. Groaning, he dragged his left leg at an awkward angle while reaching for the boys with outstretched claw-like hands.

"Nice costume, but the blood should really be darker and the make-up is a bit too green," Jupe observed. "This is more of a Kelly green, bringing to mind leprechauns rather than decaying flesh."

The costumed "zombie" grinned and moved off down the dark path in search of easier prey.

"Great," Pete muttered. "Now I've got zombie leprechauns in my head."

Bob chuckled as Jupe turned to the next question.

"What 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film was based on real-life serial killer Ed Gein? Oh, that's too easy. The obvious answer is –"

"Hey!" Pete exclaimed. His friends whirled in time to see another man stagger out of the darkness and lunge toward him. The man's face was ghostly pale, with a dark streak of blood trickling out of his hair and into his eyes. He was breathing heavily and moving unsteadily as though he might fall at any moment.

He seized Pete's arms.

"Help me!" He moaned, and collapsed.

"Wow, he's good!" Bob gasped.

Pete struggled to free himself from the stranger's grasp. "G-guys," he stammered; "Guys, I don't think this is an actor! He's really hurt!"

"I think you're right!" The First Investigator cried, aiming his flashlight at the man's face. "That's no actor – It's George Staroba!"

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For Weumsel, Jeff and Jenny