by Andrew Cope
‘No way,’ yelled Ben. ‘She’s hot-footing it on a tightrope!’ He grabbed the fire extinguisher and battered at the door. After four hefty blows the lock gave way and he fell into the bedroom. The group crowded round the window to see that the tightrope lady was indeed making her escape. On the floor was a crossbow that she had used to fire a rope. The arrow was stuck in a wooden sign on an office building across the road from the mansion, and the thief was balancing her way to freedom.
‘She’s already three-quarters of the way across!’ yelled Ben in frustration.
‘No way,’ moaned Ollie. ‘The diamonds are escaping!’
‘No they’re not,’ woofed Spud. ‘If she can do it, then so can I.’ The brave puppy looked around for something to help him balance. He grabbed an umbrella from the wardrobe and jumped on to the window sill.
‘Don’t be daft, Spud,’ said Ben. ‘Dogs can’t walk on a tightrope.’
Normal dogs can’t, he agreed. But maybe spy pups can. I have an idea. ‘Star,’ he woofed, take off your collar and clip it to the rope. His sister looked puzzled, but with Sophie’s help, did as she was told. ‘Now grab one of Lord Partington’s ties from the wardrobe and tie it on to my collar … and tie the other end to your collar.’
Star dashed over to the closet, nosed it open and jumped up to pull a tie off the rack with her teeth. Sophie worked out what was going on and quickly tied both ends. ‘Be quick,’ Spud woofed, ‘we haven’t got much time.’
Sophie understood perfectly. ‘So it’s like a safety harness,’ she beamed. If you fall, the tie is attached to the tightrope so you’ll be caught by your collar. Great idea, Spud. What a clever puppy.’
Spud gave her a doggie smile. It was usually his sister who did the clever stuff. Mmm, not ‘great’ exactly, thought the puppy. But it reduces the risk.
He stood on his hind legs and took the umbrella in his paws. This should help with balance, he thought hopefully, as he took his first step out of the window.
‘Careful, bro,’ yapped Star. ‘You’re a doggie, not a squirrel.’
Sophie peeped out from behind her fingers as Spud took his first few tentative steps along the rope. The tightrope lady was way ahead. She had her arms stretched wide, balancing, a professional with twenty years’ experience. Spud edged along, his legs wobbling, the closed umbrella keeping him steady.
‘Don’t look down,’ shouted Ollie.
Spud couldn’t resist and took a quick glance at the world below. Yikes!, he thought. Good advice, Ollie! Four storeys is very high. He was above the garden. Next he’d be out of the manor grounds and across the main road. He fixed his eyes ahead and shuffled forward. Keep going. Just stay calm and follow the lady. The puppy’s paw felt for its next step and he inched along the rope.
The lady had reached the other end of the tightrope. Spud watched as she leapt across to the ledge behind the sign. She reappeared behind the sign and glared across at the puppies and the children. Spud wobbled forward, getting closer to the diamonds. He was halfway. He was taking Ollie’s advice, but could hear traffic below. Then his worst nightmare came true.
‘You sure are a talented dog,’ yelled the tightrope lady. ‘I knew you could juggle, but I’ve never seen a puppy on a tightrope before.’
Thanks, thought Spud. Now if you can just keep talking while I catch you up.
‘But this is your final act,’ laughed the lady as she grabbed hold of the rope. The children watched as she deliberately wobbled it from side to side, then up and down, sending a wave towards Spud. It reached the puppy and he had no chance. First he wobbled and the umbrella swung wildly as he struggled to keep his balance. Then he fell. Sophie’s face disappeared behind her hands once more as Spud’s safety device kicked into action and he was left dangling by his collar. But instead of death by falling it now seemed like death by strangulation. The children could hear Spud choking as his body swayed high above the road. His legs kicked, but it was no use, he’d never get back on the rope.
The children looked at each other, eyes tingling with tears. ‘Maybe we can catch him!’ suggested Ben, and the three children stampeded down the stairs.
Spud’s eyes were bulging and his breath was getting short. Not good, he winced. His neck was stretched. He could see stars, but he wasn’t sure if they were real or just due to lack of oxygen. A plan, he thought. I guess there’s only one thing I can do. Spud fumbled his paws over the umbrella, feeling for the release button. Got it. He pressed the button and the umbrella sprang into bloom. He wriggled hard, trying to free himself from his collar. He felt it loosen a little, but his breath was getting short. He thought his head would explode. More stars than ever! Spud dangled dangerously above the road like a fish on a hook. Another wriggle. With a final kick of his back legs he finally felt himself slip out of his collar.
The puppy fell to earth like Mary Poppins wafting down on the breeze. The umbrella slowed his fall, but he still landed heavily. Spud looked up and saw headlights coming right at him. The horn blared.
It’s too late to escape! Spud crouched low as the lorry passed over him. He leapt to his left to avoid a car and scrambled to the safety of the pavement. Phew! By the time the panting children arrived at the road, Spud was dusting himself off and tidying away the umbrella.
‘Spud!’ woofed his sister, throwing herself at him and knocking him off his feet again. ‘I thought you were a goner. You’re so brave to have followed that evil woman.’
Spud nodded. ‘I guess it was kind of … heroic,’ he woofed, proud of his bravery. ‘And that landing was pretty cool.’
‘The lady got away,’ moaned Ollie. ‘We need to catch her.’
But Star was already leading the way, bounding towards the circus. There was a baddie on the loose and it was her turn to be a hero!
13. A Safe Place
Lara and the professor stood outside the big top. The show continued inside, but clearly something was wrong. The ringmaster had introduced the rubber man, but he was nowhere to be seen. It was the same story with Gordon Gibbons – the show was monkeyless. The tightrope team had performed with one of their troupe missing and ‘The Precious Puppies’ had gone walkies. So the clowns had done an extra turn, their rickety fire engine creating more fun for the children.
‘So where are the children, GM451?’ quizzed the professor, looking all around. ‘You indicated they were outside.’
This is where I left them, shrugged Lara. Surely they didn’t follow the pups to the manor?
From out of the gloom they saw someone running. And yapping just behind were Star and Spud. ‘Get her, Ma,’ barked Star. ‘She’s the baddie. She’s got the diamonds.’
Lara didn’t need telling twice. GM451 was retired from active service, but she was being handed a criminal on a plate. The lady was exhausted, so very easy to catch. Lara stood on her hind legs and adopted her karate stance.
‘Hand over the goodies, lady,’ she growled. ‘Or I’ll have to take you down.’
The woman had already encountered juggling and tightrope-walking puppies, so a fully grown black-belt dog was the final straw. She gave up without a fight, falling to the grass with sobs of frustration. ‘Horrible dogs,’ she yelled, ‘and awful children.’ She beat the grass in frustration. ‘They’re dangerous!’
‘No way,’ panted Spud. ‘We’re only dangerous if you’re a baddie. Or a jewel thief. Like you.’
Ben arrived next, his lungs bursting from the chase. ‘Ask her, Professor,’ he began, hands on hips. ‘Ask her to empty her pockets.’
Professor Cortex searched the lady and pulled out a small velvet bag. He untied the ribbon and whistled softly. ‘Sparklers,’ he gasped, his eyes lit up by the diamonds. ‘Probably Lord and Lady Whatsits’ diamonds, if I’m not mistaken.’
‘Too right,’ panted Ben. ‘We saw the whole thing, Professor. Spud nearly died in the chase.’
Spud puffed out his chest in pride. ‘It was certainly a near-death experience,’ he sniffed. ‘But all in a day’s work for a dedicated sp
y pup. No need for a medal. But how about some of Mum’s home-made chilli?’
Lara glared at her son and his chest reduced. ‘You were supposed to observe,’ she growled. ‘Not chase! Consider yourself grounded.’
‘But, Mum,’ began Spud. ‘That’s so unf–’
‘And you, lady,’ snarled Lara. Star’s tail wilted. ‘Whatever do you think you two were doing getting yourselves and the children into danger?’
‘Sorry, Ma,’ whined Star. ‘We were only –’
‘You were only risking your lives,’ barked Lara angrily. ‘Spying is all well and good, but you always have to think of safety first.’
Mrs Jewell heard the commotion and came out of the big top. ‘What on earth’s going on?’ she exclaimed. ‘What’s all the barking? And what’s Lucy doing with her face in the mud?’
‘Thank goodness you’re here,’ began Sophie. ‘Did you know that your circus is riddled with bad guys? Your husband’s not only the ringmaster, he’s the ringleader! They’ve been stealing diamonds and rubies and we’ve just caught them red-handed. Lucy, your tightrope walker, is one of them. And Gordon Gibbons and the rubber man will wake up in handcuffs.’
Mrs Jewell looked shocked. ‘Baddies?’ she said, ‘In the circus? Including Tony? Surely not.’
‘Seems so, Mrs Jewell,’ agreed the professor. ‘We caught your tightrope walker with these.’
Mrs Jewell’s face fell in surprise as the professor opened his hand and showed her a dozen perfect diamonds. ‘Probably worth millions,’ he said. ‘And the gang has been operating for months so they’ve probably amassed hundreds of millions by now. The question is,’ said the professor, scratching his bald head, ‘where have they stashed the rest? We’ll need to find your husband to get the answer to that.’
Mrs Jewell puffed out her cheeks. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘I suppose I’d better take them for safekeeping. I’ll lock the gems in the safe in my caravan until the police arrive.’ There seemed to be relief in her eyes. ‘To be honest,’ she said, ‘it’ll be a blessing to be rid of Tony. He’s so horrible. Nobody likes him. Will you keep Lucy under your watchful eye, please, and one of you call the police?’ Mrs Jewell took the bag and marched to her caravan.
The professor pressed 999 into his mobile. ‘All in a day’s work,’ he smiled as he waited for the call to get through.
‘Tell them there are two baddies at the mansion as well,’ added Ollie. ‘They might need to send an ambulance for them.’
‘Err, police, please,’ said Professor Cortex. ‘At Tony Jewell’s circus. I want to report a diamond robbery and to tell you that a couple of spy pups have saved the day!’
14. The Mane Event
As Mrs Jewell strutted back to her caravan, she was cursing under her breath. ‘Dratted children,’ she muttered. ‘And blasted puppies. If I get my way they’ll be puppy burgers!’ She opened a cupboard and took out a chest. She lowered it to the ground and fiddled with the combination lock. The lid opened and she pulled out some dazzling costumes.
My stupid husband got us into this mess, she thought. And now it’s time for me to make my escape while he pays the price.
Because her husband wasn’t actually involved in the burglaries, he never knew exactly how many jewels came back to the circus, and the thieves never saw the final part of the deal. Tony had entrusted the exchange of goods between himself and the criminals to his wife. But Jennifer Jewell had been careful never to give him as many as he needed, in the hope that Clarissa White would finally feed him to her fishes. The rest of the precious stones she sewed into the performers’ outfits.
I hate caravans, she thought. This will allow me to escape the circus forever for the life of luxury I deserve!
It was the perfect crime. Even when the police had searched her caravan they’d only found what they expected – dazzling outfits. They’d assumed the sparklers were worthless cut glass or buttons from the market. But the performers had looked like a million dollars because their outfits had literally been worth a million dollars!
She chuckled to herself. ‘It was all going so well. All these lovely jewels,’ she said, holding a garment up to the light. ‘Until tonight! These puppies have ruined everything,’ she cursed. Jennifer Jewell stuffed the costumes back into the chest and locked it. She checked the coast was clear and made her way across the car park, struggling under the weight of the treasure chest. The show was coming to an end. Soon the grounds would be teeming with people, but by then she planned to be far away.
‘Just to be sure of a distraction,’ she purred, ‘I’ll unlock this door.’ Mrs Jewell put the chest down and took out a huge bunch of keys. She fumbled for the right one before carefully inserting it into the lock and turning it with a satisfying click. She left the door ajar and scurried away. Mrs Jewell hauled the chest behind her as she looked round for a getaway vehicle. She had to escape before the car park was swarming with customers.
‘No time to waste,’ she murmured to herself. All the performers’ cars were locked. The only one with keys in was the clown car. ‘It’s not the fastest,’ she muttered, ‘but it will at least get me to the nearest station.’
She heaved the costume chest into the back seat and jumped into the vehicle. The engine chugged into life. Mrs Jewell flicked on the lights and the comedy car spluttered out of the car park towards the open road. Jennifer Jewell and the million-dollar outfits had escaped.
So had the lion. It was rare that anyone ever came close to his cage. Angry at being locked up for so long, he’d scratched a few people in his time, and the keeper had erected huge Danger signs. He’d been asleep at first, but was woken as the cage door rattled. And then there was the click that signified his cage was open. He stretched and yawned. He’d done his part of the show, but this seemed very interesting. The lion nosed at the cage door. It was open. The big cat felt pleased to be out.
Inside the big top the show was coming to an end. There had been a few glitches, but Tony Jewell had covered them up like the true professional he was. Behind the scenes, the clowns were moaning like mad.
‘We’ve had to be on four times,’ grumbled one of them. ‘Covering for that useless rubber man. Where on earth has he got to?’
Lord and Lady Partington had thoroughly enjoyed the show. They’d roared with laughter at the clowns and bitten their nails as the trapeze artists swung in the rafters. The band was playing one last time and the performers were bounding into the circle for a final bow.
‘Sounds like it’s nearly finished in there,’ noted Sergeant Graham.
‘Lord and Lady Partington will be delighted with the work you kids have put in. Probably be a reward in it, I should imagine,’ nodded one of the officers who had just arrived.
No reward necessary, thank you, thought Star, stretching her neck with pride. Although one of those diamonds on my collar would look pretty cool!
‘Let’s go and get the diamonds from Mrs Jewell,’ suggested one of the policemen. The gang strolled over to the ringmaster’s caravan and knocked loudly … then again, even more loudly. The professor turned the handle and went in. ‘Hello,’ they heard him call. ‘Mrs Jewell, are you in?’
He came out with a puzzled look.
‘You won’t find her in there,’ shouted the tightrope walker, who was sitting handcuffed to a lorry. ‘She’s the one. Don’t you see? She’s the brains behind it all. Her husband’s a loser. He borrowed too much money and we’ve had to steal gems to pay it all back.’
The children looked at the professor. He looked blankly back.
‘She’ll be long gone by now,’ smirked the captured villain. ‘And the gems with her. You were so close,’ she laughed. ‘And yet so very very far.’
‘That’s a bit of a worry,’ began one of the police officers.
‘Not such a worry as that,’ woofed Spud, his eyes widening in horror. ‘Guys,’ he yelped, panic rising in his bark, ‘there’s a very big pussy cat coming our way!’
Lara shook her head in disbelief. She w
atched as the lion prowled across the grass. It sat some distance away and licked its lips.
OK, everyone, thought Lara. We’ve got some jewels to find, but there’s a more pressing concern. That-a-way, she whined, jabbing her paw towards the lion.
The policeman dropped his pencil. ‘It’s a l-l-l–’
‘Lion!’ shouted Ollie. ‘A great big massive hungry man-eating lion!’
Thanks, Ollie, thought Lara. ‘Man-eating’ – great for starting a panic!
‘And girl-eating!’ squealed Sophie, her bottom lip trembling.
‘Let’s not panic,’ panicked Sergeant Graham, running for the safety of his car.
The lion was glad to be out of his cage, but couldn’t really be bothered to eat anyone. At least not until the policeman started running. The lion had been in captivity all its life. It had never actually seen a gazelle, but its instincts were intact. A running man was irresistible. This was as close to a gazelle that it would ever get. So the lion gave chase.
It was much faster than the tubby policeman, who turned to look behind and instantly fell over. The children held their breath as he scrambled back to his feet and galloped towards his car. He yanked the door open a second before the lion pounced. The sergeant jumped in and slammed the door and the lion hit the windscreen with a roar of disappointment. The policeman cowered inside. The lion sat on the car bonnet and stared at the man. It took a nibble at a windscreen wiper.
The sergeant fumbled for his radio. ‘PS 945 calling base!’ he yelled. ‘Come in, base! Quickly, please. I’ve got an incident. Over.’
The radio crackled into life. ‘Receiving, 945,’ came the radio operator’s reply. ‘What’s the incident?’
‘Erm,’ the sergeant began. ‘I’ve got an … erm … thing. It’s eating my windscreen wipers. Over.’
There was a moment’s silence. ‘What sort of thing, 945? Over.’