The Kid Detectives Learn English through story level 3

chapter one

emil goes to the city

now emile said his mother

get ready

your clothes are on your bed

get dressed and then we’ll have our

dinner

yes mother

wait a minute

have i forgotten anything

your other clothes are in your case

there’s some food for your journey

these flowers are for your aunt

i’ll give you the money for your

grandmother after dinner

no that’s all i think

emil left the room and mrs fisher turned

to her neighbor mrs martin

my son’s going to the city for two or

three weeks

at first he didn’t want to go

but what can he do here while his

school’s closed

my sisters asked us again and again to

visit her

i can’t go because i have so much work

emile’s never traveled alone before but

he’s old enough now

he’ll be all right

his grandmother’s going to meet him at

the station

i think he’ll enjoy the city said mrs

martin

all boys like it

there are so many things to see

i must go now mrs fisher goodbye

emil came back into the room and sat

down at the table his hair was tidy and

he was wearing his best jacket

while he ate he watched his mother

i mustn’t eat too much he thought she

won’t like it when i’m going away for

the first time

but his mother was thinking about other

things

don’t forget to write to me when you

arrive

she said

all right

give my love to your aunt and your

grandmother and your cousin polly

look after yourself

and be good

i don’t want anyone to say that you’re

not a polite boy

i promise

after dinner emile’s mother went to the

sitting room

there was a tin box on one of the

shelves

she took out some money and came back to

the table

here’s seventy pounds she said

five ten pound notes

and four five pound notes

give your grandmother sixty pounds

i couldn’t send the money to her before

but i’ve worked hard and i’ve saved it

for her

the other ten pounds is for you

your return journey will cost about

three pounds

use the other seven pounds when you go

out

i’ll put the money in this little bag

now don’t lose it

where will you put it

emil thought for a minute

then he put the bag into the pocket

inside his jacket

it’ll be safe there he said

his mother looked serious you mustn’t

tell anyone on the train about the money

of course not said emil

some people think that 70 pounds is not

a large amount of money

but it was a lot of money to emul and

his mother

emile’s father was dead

so his mother worked hard all day

she paid for their food and clothes and

for her son’s books and his school

emil realized that his mother worked

hard

so he really tried to do well in class

she was always pleased when he got a

good report from his teacher at the end

of the year

let’s go now said mrs fisher you mustn’t

miss the train

if the bus comes along we’ll take it

the country bus was very old and slow

emil and his friends wanted modern buses

in newton

but other people in the town liked their

old bus

they liked the driver too

he always stopped at your house for you

you called out and the driver stopped

but it was often quicker to walk

the bus came and emil and his mother got

they got off at the square in front of

the station

then they heard a deep voice behind them

where are you going

it was newton’s chief of police

emile’s mother said

my son’s going to visit his grandmother

for two or three weeks

emil felt silly

he was remembering something

in the center of the station square

there was a statue of a very famous

judge

one day after school emil and his

friends climbed up and put an old cap on

the statue’s head

then emil began to paint its nose red

suddenly the chief of police walked into

the square

oh no

he saw me thought emil as he and his

friends ran away

now a week later emil waited for the

policeman to say

emil fisher

come with me

you are going to prison

but the policeman didn’t say anything as

emil carried his case into the station

perhaps he was waiting until emil came

back from the city

mrs fisher bought a ticket for emil

they only had to wait a few minutes for

the train

don’t leave anything on the train

and don’t sit on the flowers

someone will lift your case up for you

don’t forget to say please

i can lift the case up said emil i’m not

a baby

all right

his mother was looking serious again

you must get out at the right station in

the city she said

it’s the east station

not the west station

your grandmother will be by the ticket

office

i’ll find her mother

don’t throw paper on the floor of the

carriage when you eat your food

and don’t lose the money

emil opened his jacket and felt in his

pocket

don’t worry he said it’s safe

the train came into the station

emil kissed his mother and climbed into

a carriage with his case his mother gave

him the flowers and food

is there a seat for you

she asked

yes

said emil

be good and write to me

you must write to me too

of course now be nice to your cousin

polly

the carriage doors were shut and the

train moved slowly out of the station

mrs fisher waved her hand for a long

time

then she turned round and went home

she felt sad but she only cried for a

short time

she had to do her work

chapter 2

the thief

emil took off his school cap and said

good afternoon

to the other people in the carriage

he sat opposite a fat lady

she was only wearing one shoe

because her left shoe hurt her foot

she was sitting beside a man with a big

nose

boys are not usually so polite

she said to the man

as she talked she moved her painful foot

up and down

emil put his hand in his pocket

he wasn’t happy until he felt the little

bag

he looked at the other people in the

carriage they didn’t look like thieves

there was another woman sitting to the

right of the man with the big nose

she was sewing making a cap for a baby

at the window next to emil a man with a

black hat was reading a newspaper

suddenly the man put down his paper and

took some sweets from his pocket

would you like one

he asked emil

thank you very much

said emil taking one of the sweets

my name’s emil fisher he said

the other people in the carriage smiled

in a friendly way

the man lifted his hat and said

my name’s green

then the fat lady asked emil

does mr smith still own the cloth shop

in newton

oh yes said emil do you know him

yes

i’m mrs james from greenfield

i hope he’s well can you tell him that

yes of course replied emil

are you going to the city mr green asked

emil

yes

my grandmother’s meeting me at the east

station ticket office

he felt in his pocket the paper money in

the bag made a little noise it was still

there

do you know the city

well

it will surprise you

some of the houses there are 600 meters

high

they tie the roofs to the sky

then the houses don’t move in the wind

and what do you do if you want to get to

another part of the city quickly

do you know

no emil answered thinking this is a

strange man

you’re put in a box at the post office

and then you travel by post

and if you have no money you can get 50

pounds from a bank

but you have to leave your head there

is your head at the bank the man with

the big nose said

stop telling the boys stupid stories

the two men began to shout

fat mrs james stopped moving her foot

and the other woman stopped sowing

emil was happy because the strange man

couldn’t talk to him now

he took out his food and began to eat

his bread and butter

then the train stopped at a big station

the two ladies and the man with the big

nose got out

mrs james was almost too late because

she couldn’t get her shoe on

mr smith what i said

she called to emil as she left the train

now emil and the man with the black hat

were alone

emil wasn’t very pleased about this

he didn’t want to be with a strange man

who gave away sweets

a man who told silly stories

emil wanted to feel the money again

but not in front of the other man

then the train started again

emil went to the washroom at the end of

the carriage

he took the little bag out of his pocket

and counted the money

it was still there

but how could he make it safer

then he remembered

there was a pin in his jacket

he took out the pin

and pushed it through the bag the paper

money and the cloth of his inside pocket

the money was safe now

emile went back to the carriage

mr green was asleep

emil was glad

now he didn’t have to talk to him

he looked out of the window

he enjoyed watching the trees the fields

and the houses

mr green continued sleeping

sometimes he made little noises

emil watched him

why did he always keep his hat on

emil noticed his long face and thin ears

suddenly emil jumped with surprise

i nearly went to sleep i mustn’t do that

he told himself

he didn’t like being alone with mr green

emil wanted more people in the carriage

but nobody came

he kicked his foot to stay awake he

sometimes did this at school in history

lessons

for a short time this helped him

he thought about his cousin polly

what did she look like now

it was two years since he last saw her

he couldn’t remember her face very well

some minutes later

he nearly fell off his seat

have i been asleep he thought

he kicked his foot again

then he counted the flies on the window

he counted them from the bottom to the

top

he counted them from the top to the

bottom

and then he counted them again

first there were 24

then there were 23

why does the number change emil asked

himself

then he fell asleep

when emile woke up he was lying on the

floor of the carriage

the train was moving

he remembered his dream

it was a bad dream

the policeman from newton was running

after him

he caught him and took him to the stone

judge

the judge was alive and said

emil fisher

you painted my nose

so you must go to

prison slowly emil began to remember

of course

he was going to the city

did he fall asleep

like the man in the black hat

but the man wasn’t there

emil was alone in the carriage

he sat up

his knees were shaking

he got up from the floor

his clothes were dirty so he cleaned

them quickly with his hands

then he felt in his inside pocket

the money wasn’t there

emil felt a sharp pain and pulled his

hand from his pocket

there was blood on his finger from the

but there was no little bag there

emil began to cry

of course he was not crying about the

blood

he was crying about the money

his mother worked so hard

and now there was no money for his

grandmother or for his visit to the city

i’ve been careless

and a thief has stolen my money

now what can i do

he thought

how can i get off the train and say to

my grandmother

here i am

but i have no money for you

and you must give me the money for my

ticket back to newton

i can’t stay in the city

i can’t go home again

there was an alarm above the window at

one end of the carriage

emil thought

if i ring the alarm

the train will stop

a railway guard will come to the

carriage

he’ll ask

what’s happened

what’s the matter

and i’ll say

someone’s stolen my money

why didn’t you look after it he’ll

answer

what’s your name

where do you live

you stop the train

now your family will have to pay 25

pounds

in fast trains there is a corridor that

you can walk along

it takes you to the place where the

guard sits

then you can report a crime

but emil was in a slow train

there is no corridor on slow trains

you must wait until the train stops at

the next station

what’s the time emil thought

the train began to pass large houses

with bright gardens and tall buildings

with dirty windows

the train was moving more slowly now

emil knew what to do

at the next station i must call the

railway guard

and tell him everything the railway

company will tell the police

but then

i’ll have problems with the police he

thought remembering his dream

they’ll ask the newton police about me

he imagined the newton police chief

officers report

emile fisher of newton is not a good boy

he paints the noses of statues

i do not believe that his money was

stolen perhaps he was careless and lost

but he probably hid it because he wanted

to use it for himself

emil fisher is the thief

we must put him in

prison emil thought about the report and

was afraid

he couldn’t tell the police

he took his case down and put on his cap

then he put the pin back in his jacket

and got ready

the train stopped

emil looked out of the window and saw a

sign on a wall

it said

west station

the doors were opened and people got out

of the carriages

friends were waiting to meet them

suddenly

he saw a black hat in the crowd

it was some meters away

was it the thief

perhaps he stole emil’s money but didn’t

leave the train

perhaps he just moved to another

carriage while the train was at one of

the stations

emile got out quickly

then he remembered the flowers

he put down his case and jumped back

into the carriage

he got out again with the flowers and

picked up his case

then he ran as fast as he could towards

the gate

where was the black hat

there it was

or was it a different hat

emil’s case was heavy he wanted to put

it down and leave it

but someone will steal it he thought

at last he got through the crowd

he was now closer to the black hat

was it the thief

there was another one

that man was too short emil ran in and

out of the crowd

there

there was mr green the thief

he was passing through the gate and he

seemed to be in a great hurry

i’ll get you

thought emil angrily

he gave his ticket to the railway man

put his case in his other hand

and with the flowers under his right arm

ran after the black hat

it’s now or never he thought

chapter three

emil goes after the thief

emile wanted to run after the man and

shout give me my money

but he thought

the man won’t say

of course dear boy here it is i promise

that i’ll never steal again

now he could only watch the man

a very fat lady was walking in front of

emil

he hid behind her and followed the thief

out of the station

if i ask that lady for help emil thought

she probably won’t believe me

the man walked into the station square

he crossed the road

an electric tram with two carriages

turned into the road from the right the

man got into the first carriage

and sat down next to a window

emil ran after the tram

the tram started moving as he reached

the second carriage

he jumped on the tram

put his case in a corner and stood in

front of it

cars hurried past the tram

there was a lot of noise and there were

a lot of people

there were newspaper boys at every

corner and wonderful windows filled with

books gold watches shoes and food

and the buildings were very very high

so this is the city emil thought

he wanted to look at everything

but there was no time

the man with my money will get off the

tram and escape into the crowd

then everything will be hopeless

he thought

emil thought about his grandmother

she was waiting for him at the ticket

office in east station

the tram stopped

emil watched the carriage in front a

crowd of new passengers got on

but nobody got off

one man was angry because he fell over

emile’s case

a man inside the tram was selling

tickets

he rang the bell and the tram moved

again

suddenly emil thought

oh no

i haven’t got any money

if i can’t pay for the ticket i’ll have

to get off

he looked at the other passengers

can i say to one of them

please give me some money for my ticket

he thought

one man was reading a newspaper

two others were talking about a bank

robbery

the thieves made a hole underground

one of them was saying

and they went through the hole into the

bank they stole thousands of pounds

the other man laughed

who can believe what people say he asked

perhaps only a little money was taken

no thought emil

they won’t believe me

the ticketman came nearer and nearer to

emil

tickets

tickets please

he called out

people gave him their money and received

their tickets

he reached emil

and you

he asked

i’ve lost my money sir

emil said

lost your money

i’ve heard that story before and where

do you want to go

don’t know yet

said emil

well then

get off at the next stop

i can’t do that

i must stay here please sir

if i tell you to get off you get off do

you understand

oh give the boy a ticket

said the man who was reading a newspaper

he gave the ticketman some money and

emil received his ticket

a lot of boys tell me they’ve lost their

money said the ticket man then they

laugh at me behind my back

this one won’t laugh at you

said the man with the newspaper

thank you very much sir emil said

oh that’s all right

the man with the newspaper said

excuse me sir

where do you live

why do you want to know

i want to give you back your money

i’m staying here for a few weeks so i

can bring it to you

my name’s emil fisher from newton

oh forget about it said the man

the tram stopped again

emil watched

did the man in the black hat get off

he saw nothing

the tram continued its journey

emil looked at the beautiful wide roads

he had no idea where he was going

the thief was still sitting in the other

carriage

nobody seemed interested in emil

even the kind man was reading his

newspaper again

the city was so large and emil felt so

small

it didn’t matter to anyone that he had

no money

two million people lived in the city

and nobody was interested in his

problems

what’s going to happen emil thought

he felt very unhappy

emile’s grandmother and his cousin polly

were waiting for him at east station

they were standing near the ticket

office looking at the time every minute

a lot of people passed them carrying

boxes cases and flowers

but not one of them was emil

perhaps he passed us and we didn’t see

him

said polly

she stood on the platform with her

shining new bicycle

she wanted to show it to emil

he’ll want one too when he sees it she

thought

polly’s grandmother was worried

what is the matter what is the matter

i think the train arrived a long time

ago

they waited a few more minutes then

polly went to ask about the train

a man was standing at the gate looking

at people’s tickets

has the train from newton arrived yet

polly asked him

newton oh yes said the man that train

arrived a long time ago

polly went back to her grandmother and

gave her the news

oh dear what’s happened

what happened

the old lady said

i think he got out at the wrong station

said polly boys are so stupid

they waited for another five minutes

we can’t stay here

said polly the next train from newton is

in two hours let’s go home now

i’ll come back here on my bicycle and

meet him

i don’t like it

said the old lady

when she was worried about something she

always said things twice

at home

polly’s father and mother didn’t know

what to do

bonnie’s father wanted to write to

emil’s mother

no don’t do that said his wife perhaps

he’ll be on the next train

i hope he will said polly’s grandmother

but i don’t like it

i don’t like it

i don’t like it either said polly

shaking her head wisely

chapter 4

emile’s friends make a plan

at last the man in the black hat got off

the tram

emil picked up his case and the flowers

thanked the man with the newspaper

and followed the thief

the thief walked in front of the tram

crossed the road and continued on the

other side

the tram moved away and emile saw the

man go into a cafe

now thought emil i must be very careful

there was a house at the corner of the

road

he ran into the doorway

it was a good place to hide

from there

he could see the thief easily

mr green was sitting close to the cafe

window

he was looking very pleased with himself

he ordered some coffee

emile didn’t know what to do

i can’t stay here and watch the man a

policeman will come along and tell me to

move he thought

suddenly a horn sounded just behind emil

he jumped and turned round quickly

a boy stood there laughing at him

don’t be afraid

said the boy

did you make that loud noise asked emil

of course

said the boy

you’re not from here are you

everyone here knows me and my horn i

always carry it with me

no i’m not from here said emil i’m from

newton

i’ve just come from the station

newton

from the country

is that why you’re wearing those silly

clothes

don’t talk like that or i’ll hit you

said emil angrily

the other boy looked surprised

i don’t want to fight he said it’s too

hot but i will if you want to

i haven’t got time to fight now said

emil i’m

busy busy

you aren’t doing anything just standing

in this doorway

yes i am emil answered

i’m watching a thief

what

did you say thief

that’s right said emil

he told the boy about losing all his

money

wow

this is wonderful

said the boy as emil finished the story

it’s like a detective film at the cinema

what are you going to do next

i don’t know

look

there’s a policeman over there let’s

tell him he’ll help you

i don’t think so said emil

i did something wrong in newton

i think the police want to catch me

i see

said the boy

he thought for a minute then said

i’ll help you if you want me to

i’d like that said emil

my name’s paul

said the boy

and mine’s emil

well emil said paul

we must do something

have you got any money now

not a penny

paul sounded his horn softly it usually

helped him think

but it didn’t help this time

can you bring some of your friends here

asked emil

good idea

said paul

i’ll run round to their houses and sound

my horn

then they’ll come out and help us

okay but come back soon said emil if the

thief leaves i’ll have to follow him

then you won’t know where i am

that’s true

but i don’t think the man will leave yet

he’s eating some eggs

paul ran off emile felt much happier

friends are a great help when you’re in

trouble

emil watched the thief

he was enjoying his meal

perhaps he was paying for the food with

mrs fisher’s money

but things were different now

emile had help at last

ten minutes later emil heard the horn

again

he saw about twenty boys coming up the

road towards him

paul was in front

what do you think of this

he asked emil

great

said emil looking at all the boys

i’ve told them what happened

paul continued

he turned to the other boys

this is emil

and the man who stole his money is

sitting in that cafe he mustn’t escape

we’ll soon catch him

said a boy with a loud voice

this is the captain

paul said

he then told emil the names of all the

other boys

well

said the captain wisely we must begin

first everyone must give me their money

each boy threw his money into emile’s

cap

a very small boy called little tuesday

put five pence into the cap

he was very excited because it was his

job to count the money

we have eighty five pence

little tuesday reported

three of us will keep the money

if we can’t stay together there’ll

always be someone with money

good idea said the captain

he and emil each kept 20 pence

paul took the rest

emil thanked everyone and said

i’ll return the money after we catch the

thief

but i can’t do much with this case and

these flowers

i’d like to leave them somewhere safe

give them to me said paul

i know the man who owns that cafe

i’ll leave them with him

and i’ll have a good look at the thief

while i’m there

be careful

said the captain we don’t want the thief

to know you’re watching him

when paul came back emil said

now i think we should have a meeting but

not here

everyone can see us

we’ll go over to the square and sit on

the grass said the captain

but some boys must stay here and watch

the thief

they can be the watchers

two can watch the cafe and five or six

others can stand along the road

if anything happens they can run to the

square

then we’ll come back here

i’ll choose the watchers paul said to

emil and the captain

and i’ll stay here too and watch the

cafe

you take the rest of the boys with you

hurry it’s getting late now

paul chose the boys that he needed

the rest went to the square with emil

and the captain

they sat down on two long seats in the

middle of the square by the grass

they all looked very serious

then the captain began to speak in a

loud voice

his father was a soldier and always

spoke like that when he gave orders

it’s possible

the captain said

that later we won’t be able to stay

together

if that happens we’ll need a telephone

who has a telephone at home that they

can use

i have

little tuesday called out

my family’s out at the cinema tonight

and what’s your telephone number the

captain asked

west five four seven eight

the captain thought for a minute

he turned to a boy named john

take this pencil and paper

cut the paper into 20 pieces

write little tuesday’s telephone number

clearly on each piece

then

give everyone a piece of paper with the

number on it

little tuesday’s house can be our

telephone office

our detectives must telephone that

office when anything new happens

and when we want to know the news we can

telephone that number too

but i’m not at home

said little tuesday

but you will be the captain answered

listen to me

we’ll finish talking and then you’ll go

home

and sit by the telephone

it’s very important work

john gave out the pieces of paper

each boy put his piece carefully in his

pocket

the captain continued

some of you must follow the thief

but the others must stay here in the

square

then we’ll know where you are

we’ll find you if we need you

you can go home now

tell your families that you’ll be very

late tonight

but one after the other not all at the

same time

john

you can go home with little tuesday

run back here when there’s something to

report

i think that’s all isn’t it we’ll need

something to eat said emil

five boys ran off to get some food

i think you’re all being silly

said a boy called peter

you’re talking about food and telephones

but we need to talk about catching this

thief

how are we going to catch him

can we get his fingerprints

said a boy who read a lot of detective

stories

of course not said john

we can only hope to get back the money

that he’s stolen

but if we steal the money from him

said the captain we’ll be thieves too

that’s right said emil it’s wrong to

take something from someone if he

doesn’t know about it

okay

we’ve talked enough

said the captain now let’s do something

we don’t know yet how we’re going to

catch this man but one thing sure he

must give back the money

i didn’t understand what you said about

stealing said little tuesday

how can i steal something that belongs

to me

i own it even if it is in another

person’s pocket

you’re too young

said the captain

you can’t understand

are you sure we can all be good

detectives asked peter

we don’t want the thief to know what’s

happening he’ll escape

yes we’ll need some good detectives

cried little tuesday

that’s why you need me

i can be a wonderful police dog too

i can make a noise like a dog

nobody listened to him

perhaps the thief has a gun

said peter

then we need brave detectives said emil

if anyone’s afraid they can go home to

bed

nobody moved

there’s one more thing emil continued

i must send news to my grandmother

she doesn’t know where i am

she’ll go to the police and we don’t

want that can someone take a letter to

15 bridge street for me

i’ll do it

said a boy called robert

emile asked for a pencil and paper

he wrote

dear grandmother

you probably want to know where i am

please don’t worry

i am in the city

i cannot see you yet because i have some

important business

but when everything is finished i will

come

do not ask what this business is

the boy who is bringing you this letter

is a friend

he knows where i am

but he cannot tell you because it is a

secret

give my love to uncle aunt and polly

your loving grandson emil

emil wrote the number of the house and

the name of the street on the other side

of the paper

robert took it

the captain gave him the money for his

tram ticket and robert hurried away

the five boys came back with the food

emil gave some food to each of the

detectives

some of the boys were still at home

their families did not want them to come

out again

the captain gave them all a secret word

the word was

emil

because it was easy to remember

when they phoned little tuesday they had

to say this word first

if a caller knew the word they were a

friend

the captain turned to little tuesday

please telephone my father

tell him that i have some important

business i won’t be home until late

all right

said little tuesday

he went home taking john with him

won’t your father be angry

asked emil in surprise

my father knows i’m sensible answered

the captain

i’ve promised him that i’ll never do

anything wrong

i can do what i like but i mustn’t break

that promise

why aren’t all fathers like that

said peter

the captain turned to the rest of the

boys

i’ll leave my money here he said

we have enough without it

gerald you must be the chief

wait here until we send for you

john will come from little tuesday’s

house if we need help

are there any more questions

is everything clear

our secret word is emil

don’t forget

secret word emil

the boys cried loudly

all the people in the square looked at

them with surprise

emil was really enjoying himself now

i’m almost glad that thief stole my

money he thought

chapter 5

following the thief

three of the watchers ran into the

square waving their arms

this was the sign

mr green was leaving the cafe

let’s go the captain cried

and he emil and three other boys ran

back to paul he was waiting for them in

the doorway of the house

the thief was standing outside the cafe

buying a newspaper

he opened the newspaper and began to

read he’s looking over the top of the

newspaper

he wants to see if anyone’s watching him

said emil

i watched him very carefully said paul

and he didn’t look at me once he just

continued eating

the thief put the newspaper in his

pocket and looked around him

a taxi came past

he shouted

and it stopped

he got in

shut the door and the taxi drove away

the boys got into another taxi

follow that taxi

paul said to the driver

follow it carefully please

the man inside mustn’t see us we’re

following him

what’s the matter the taxi driver asked

it’s a secret paul said

the man’s done something wrong

all right but have you got any money

of course

they drove through the streets

a few people looked surprised when they

saw so many boys in one taxi

down

paul said in a low voice the boys threw

themselves on the floor of the taxi

what’s the matter

asked the captain

the traffic lights are red

we can’t move until they change

the other taxis stopped too and we’re

just behind it

if the man turns round he’ll see us

the driver looked round at the boys and

began to laugh

then the lights changed to green

the boys got off the floor and sat in

their seats again

i hope this isn’t going to be a long

journey

said the captain

he was thinking about the money

but soon the first taxi stopped in a

square at the door of a hotel

the thief got out paid the driver and

went into the hotel

follow him paul

said the captain if the hotel has

another door he’ll

escape paul ran after the thief and the

other boys got out of the taxi

emil paid the driver

then they followed the captain through a

gateway and into a large courtyard

behind a cinema

the captain sent a boy called tony after

paul

i hope the thief stays in that hotel

emil said we can watch him easily from

here

this courtyard is a wonderful place for

our head office

yes and it’s near the trams and the post

office telephones too

the captain agreed

he sat on a seat in the courtyard

he looked very serious

like someone who was planning a war

paul came back

the thief took a room in the hotel he

said excitedly

and there’s only one way out i checked

we’ve got him

is tony watching the hotel the captain

asked

of course

the captain gave a boy called walter

some money

phone little tuesday he said

walter ran to the post office

is that you tuesday

speaking

little tuesday replied

secret word emil

walter speaking

the thief is staying at the west end

hotel princess square

our head office is in the courtyard

behind the west end cinema

little tuesday wrote everything down

very carefully

and then walter told him about the taxi

journey

why can’t i be there with you

little tuesday said

he felt sad and lonely sitting by the

telephone

have any of the others phoned you

goodbye for now

walter went back to the courtyard it was

getting late

i’m sure we won’t catch him today

said paul

the boy is thought deeply for some time

the sky was growing dark

they weren’t sure what to do next

suddenly they heard a bell

it was coming nearer

a shining new bicycle came into the

courtyard

a girl was riding it and behind her was

robert

emile jumped up and said

that’s my cousin polly

the captain offered polly his seat and

she sat down

well emil polly began

we were just going to the station to

meet the next train from newton

then your friend robert arrived with the

letter

you have some very nice friends

robert looked pleased

and now

polly continued

father and mother and grandmother are

probably asking where i am

i didn’t tell them anything

i just left the house with robert

we phoned your office and spoke to

little tuesday

and so here we are

but i must go back home now

where the family angry with me asked

emil

grandmother just talked and talked until

father and mother told her to be quiet

polly stood up

i hope you catch your thief tomorrow

who’s your chief detective

this boy said emil

he’s the captain

i’m pleased to meet a real detective

said polly

the captain looked proud of himself

and now i must go polly said i’ll come

back in the morning goodbye

polly rang the bell on her bicycle and

rode away

time passed slowly

emile went to see walter and tony the

two boys who were guarding the hotel

then he went to the hotel looked in and

went back to the courtyard

we can’t go home

he said someone should stay and watch

for us

there’s a boy in the hotel who works in

the lift

let’s speak to him perhaps he’ll help us

that’s a good idea

said the captain you’re not as silly as

most people from the country

city people don’t know everything emil

replied

he felt a little angry

the other boys didn’t want the thief to

see emil so paul went to speak to the

lift boy

emil and the captain went out of the

courtyard

they stood by the gateway eating bread

and butter

it was nearly nighttime

electric lights shone everywhere

the noise of trams bicycles and taxis

seemed even louder now

there was dance music coming from the

west end hotel

crowds of people were going into the

cinema

the city is wonderful of course emile

said

but i wouldn’t like to live here all the

time newton is much smaller but it’s big

enough for me

there’s too much noise here

i like the city said the captain and if

you live here you don’t notice the noise

about an hour later peter and a number

of other boys came into the courtyard

they were carrying a lot of food

the captain was very angry

what are you doing here he shouted i

told you to stay in the square

don’t shout said peter we want to know

what’s happening here

john didn’t come from little tuesday’s

house with any news said gerald so we

thought something was wrong that’s why

we came

how many boys are in the square

asked the captain

three or four

said one of the boys

no i think there are only two said

another that’s enough shouted the

captain

is there anyone in the square

stop shouting said peter you can’t tell

us what to do

i don’t think you should be a detective

said the captain we don’t want you

peter said some rude words and went away

a boy came through the gateway he was

dressed in green and there was a green

cap on his head

is that the lift boy asked the captain

nobody answered

the boy came towards them

suddenly a horn sounded and the boy in

green began to laugh it was paul

don’t you know me

he asked

everyone laughed

a window above the courtyard opened and

someone shouted be quiet down there

the captain looked serious

we mustn’t make a noise he said come

here paul

why are you dressed like that

well

i went to the hotel

paul began and the lift boy was standing

by the lift

i waved and he came over to me

i told him everything about emil and the

thief

he wanted to help so he gave me some of

his

clothes people will think you’re another

lift boy he said

you can watch the thief

he won’t know who you really are

and that’s why i’m wearing these clothes

but what about the hotel doorman emil

asked

the lift boy told him about us replied

paul the hotel doorman is the lift boy’s

father so it’s okay

now i can stay there all night

and i can take one of you with me too

the thief is in room 61.

i went up and stood near the door in

these clothes and watched

after about half an hour he came out and

went to the toilet at the end of the

corridor

when he came back i stepped in front of

him

is there anything i can do for you sir i

asked

oh yes he said

tell them to call me at eight o’clock

tomorrow morning

don’t forget

yes sir i said

then he went back into his room

the captain was very pleased and thanked

paul

emil thanked him too

now everyone was very excited about the

next day

they were all thinking the same thing

tomorrow we’ll catch the thief

we can’t do anything more tonight

said the captain you can all go home to

bed but you must be back here early

tomorrow morning

and try to bring some more money

i’ll phone little tuesday now and tell

him to send the others home

i’ll go to the hotel with paul emil said

soon

everyone was asleep

most of the boys were in their beds at

home

but not all of them

paul and emil were sleeping in a room at

the west end hotel

and little tuesday was asleep in his

father’s chair next to the telephone

he was dreaming of hundreds of telephone

calls

sometime later little tuesday’s father

and mother came home

they were surprised to find him asleep

in a chair

his mother carried him up the stairs

secret word emil

little tuesday said in his sleep

of course his mother didn’t understand

chapter 6

the thief is caught

early next morning the thief was

dressing

he looked out of his window and noticed

a large crowd of boys in the street

below

some of them were playing football in

princess square

the others were standing there talking

the schools are probably closed today he

thought

at the same time the captain was having

a meeting in the courtyard at the back

of the cinema

there were more boys than before and he

was very angry again

i didn’t want you to tell anyone about

our plan

he shouted and what do you do

you bring a lot of boys that we don’t

know

our plan was a secret it isn’t now

don’t be angry captain

said gerald we’ll catch the thief

you can send all these boys home said

walter he was trying to help

no i can’t said the captain they won’t

there’s only one thing to do then said

emil we must change our plans

we can’t follow the thief secretly now

there are too many boys

so he must see what we’re doing

when he comes out of the hotel

we’ll make a circle of boys around him

that circle will follow him everywhere

he goes

he won’t be able to escape

good idea said the captain i was

thinking that too

the boys in the circle should make a lot

of noise said emil

then other people will notice what’s

happening

the thief will want to give us the money

back before the police arrive

there was the sound of a bell at the

gateway everyone turned round

polly rode into the courtyard

good morning detectives she said

she jumped off her bicycle and took a

bag from the front

i’ve brought you some coffee she said

and some food

the boys weren’t really hungry it was

too soon after breakfast to eat again

but they didn’t want to be rude so they

took the bag they ate and drank

everything

suddenly they heard paul’s horn

he ran into the courtyard shouting quick

let’s go

the thief’s leaving the hotel

all the boys ran through the gateway

polly was left alone with her bicycle in

the empty bag

she wasn’t very pleased

she jumped on her bicycle and rode after

the boys

i don’t like it i don’t like it she said

she sounded like her grandmother

the thief came out of the hotel and

turned to the right

the captain sent tony and walter to the

different groups of boys

they gave them their orders

in three minutes there was a large crowd

of boys all around the thief

he didn’t know what to do

the boys were talking laughing and

following him everywhere

and why are they looking at me all the

time he thought

he couldn’t understand what was

happening

suddenly a ball flew past his head

he didn’t like that and began to walk

more quickly

but the boys walked faster too

he tried to turn into a side street but

another crowd of boys stood in his way

walk in front of me emil said to paul

the thief mustn’t see me yet

polly rode at the side of the crowd

ringing her little bell

the thief was feeling more and more

nervous

he didn’t know what he should do next

he tried walking faster but he couldn’t

escape

suddenly he turned round and ran back

along the street

the crowd followed then walter ran in

front of the thief and the man nearly

fell

what’s the matter with you

mr green shouted go away or i’ll call a

policeman

oh yes please said walter that’s what

we’re waiting for

of course the thief didn’t want to call

a policeman

he looked up people were looking at him

from their windows

was anyone phoning the police

if the police come he thought they’ll

start asking questions

he was beginning to feel afraid he

didn’t know what to do

then he saw a bank across the road

it gave him an idea

he ran through the crowd of boys and

hurried into the bank

the boys followed the captain stopped

them at the door and said

paul and i will go inside

emil can stay here until we’re ready for

him

when paul sounds his horn

emile and ten boys must come into the

bank

he turned to emil

bring some good boys emil

this will be a difficult business

paul and the captain walked into the

bank mr green was standing in front of a

desk

behind the desk a bank assistant was

having a telephone conversation

the captain got close to the thief

paul stood behind him with his hand in

his pocket ready to sound his horn

the bank assistant finished telephoning

and came to the desk

what can i do for you he asked mr green

can you change these 70 pounds for me

please

i’d like

five pound notes for the ten pound notes

and one pound notes for the five pound

notes

he took the money out of his pocket

stop the captain called out that money

was stolen

what

said the bank assistant in surprise

the other people in the bank looked up

from their work

this man stole that money from my friend

said the captain

but if he changes the money into smaller

notes nobody can prove it

you crazy boy

shouted mr green

he hit the captain in the face

the captain hit him back hard in the

stomach

all the bank workers ran to the desk to

watch

paul sounded his horn

ten boys came running into the bank

emil was in front they all stood around

mr green

the bank manager came out of his office

what’s all this noise about he asked

emil pointed to the thief

yesterday afternoon

this man here stole my money

he took it while i was asleep on the

train from newton

can you prove this the manager asked

mr green laughed

of course he can’t

i’ve been here for a week yesterday i

was in the city all day

that isn’t true

emil shouted angrily he was almost

crying can you prove that this is the

same man the man who was on the train

yesterday the manager asked

emil thought for a minute

his friends began to look worried

yes i can emil said at last

there was a lady in the carriage for the

first part of the journey

her name is

mrs james

and she lives in greenfield

i remember because she asked me to speak

to her friend mr smith

he owns a cloth shop in newton

the bank manager turned to the thief

and can you prove that you were in the

city all day yesterday he asked

of course i can

the thief answered

i was at the west end hotel in princess

square that’s where i’m staying

but only since yesterday evening

paul said i know that for a fact i’ve

been there dressed as a lift boy

the other bank workers smiled they

wanted to believe the boy’s story

but the bank manager looked serious

i must keep this money for now

he said

he took a piece of paper and began to

write down their names and addresses

the man’s name is green

emil said

the thief laughed loudly you can see

that there’s been a mistake my name’s

miller not green

in the train yesterday he called himself

green

emil said

can you prove that your name’s miller

asked the bank manager

i have no papers with me said the thief

but i can get them from the hotel

don’t believe him emile cried it’s my

money and i must have it back

my mother asked me to take the money to

my grandmother she lives here in brit

street

perhaps that’s true said the manager but

i’ll have to ask you again

can you prove that the money is yours

is your name written on the back of the

notes

did you write down their numbers

of course not said emil i didn’t think

that i could lose the money

were there any marks on the notes

i don’t think so

well that’s the end of it then

the thief said everything that i’ve told

you is true

that money is mine i never steal from

children

wait a minute

emil cried

now i remember

there is a mark on the notes

the mark of a pin

i wanted to be sure that the money

stayed in my pocket

so i put a pin

through the cloth of my pocket and threw

the bag with the money in it

if you look closely at the notes you’ll

see the holes from the pin

the bank manager held the notes up

against the light

everyone watched in silence

the thief stepped back

the boy is right

said the manager

there are holes in these notes

and here’s the pin that made the holes

emile said

he put the pin from his jacket on the

desk

then he held his finger up

and here’s the place where i pricked

myself the thief

turned and pushed through the crowd of

boys

some of them fell down

he ran through the door of the bank and

disappeared

catch him

cried the bank manager

everyone ran to the door

the thief was outside

there were about thirty boys around him

some of them held his legs some of them

held his arms and some of them held his

coat

there was no escape for him now

a policeman came running towards them

polly was with him

the bank manager said to the policeman

take this man to the police station he’s

stolen this boy’s money

the policeman held the thief’s arm

right he said you come along with me

the bank assistant took the money and

the pin and went with them

all the boys and polly went too

they were a strange group

first there was the policeman and the

assistant from the bank with the thief

between them

then came all the boys and finally there

was polly on her shining new bicycle

she called to emil

i’m going to ride home and tell the

family

she rang her little bell turned into a

side street and rode away

chapter 7

policemen and reporters

at the police station the policeman told

his chief everything that he knew

emile added more information

he also had to give his name

date and place of birth and address

the police chief wrote everything down

and what’s your name he asked the thief

john turner

the man answered

when they heard this emile paul and the

captain laughed loudly even the bank

assistant laughed

first his name’s green paul said then

it’s miller and now it’s turner so

what’s his real name

why don’t you ask him

silence

said the police chief

mr green miller turner gave the date and

place of his birth

he was staying at the west end hotel

no he couldn’t prove who he was he

didn’t have any papers with him

and

where were you before you came here

yesterday the police chief asked

in greenfield

that isn’t true cried the captain

silence the police chief shouted he

turned to the thief

mr turner did you steal 70 pounds from

the school boy emile fisher of newton

yesterday

yes

said the thief sadly

i don’t know why i did it

the boy was asleep in the corner of the

carriage

i saw the bag with the money and it fall

out of his pocket

i picked it up

i only wanted to see what was in the bag

but because i didn’t have any money

this isn’t true

emil said the money didn’t fall out of

my pocket there was a pin through it

and he did have some money the captain

said he paid for food and a taxi

yesterday and today all emile’s money

was still in his pocket

silence

the police chief said again i didn’t ask

you to speak

he wrote everything down can i go sir

the thief asked

i made a mistake and i’m sorry

you know where i’m staying

i’m in the city on business and i’d like

to finish it today

the police chief didn’t listen to him he

phoned the main police station for a car

to take the thief away

when can i get my money back emil asked

i don’t know

they’ll tell you at the main police

station you must go there now and report

to the chief detective

the police car arrived a few minutes

later and took the thief away

the other boys were standing outside the

police station

emil gave them the news

he asked them to telephone little

tuesday with the news too

finally he said

thank you everyone for all your help

soon i’ll be able to pay back the money

that you lent me

the boys were happy to help they said

they didn’t want the money back

only emile paul and the captain went to

the main police station a policeman took

a meal to see the chief detective

the others waited outside his office

the chief detective was a pleasant man

he listened to emile’s story and then

gave him back the money

look after it now he said

i will

said emil i’m going to take it to my

grandmother

you and your detectives did a very good

job

said the chief

thank you sir said emil

can i ask a question

of course

what will happen to the thief

we’ll take his photograph and his

fingerprints

then we’ll check on our list of

criminals we’ll see if he’s there

list of criminals

yes

it’s a book

we keep photographs of all the people

who’ve been to prison

it also has the fingerprints of thieves

that we’re trying to catch

perhaps your thief is one of the men

that we’re looking for

the telephone rang

just a minute the chief said

he spoke into the telephone

yes

come up to my office

he turned to emil

a few people are coming up to see you

they’re reporters from the newspapers

are they going to write about me in the

newspapers

i think so the chief smiled when a

schoolboy catches a thief he becomes

famous

the door opened and four reporters came

into the room

the chief detective shook hands with

them and told the story of emil and the

thief

the four reporters wrote everything down

carefully

this is a wonderful story

one of the reporters said a boy from the

country becomes a detective

he should join the police

said another man

why didn’t you go to the police at the

beginning and tell them everything asked

a third reporter

emil

suddenly felt afraid

yes why didn’t you do that

ask the chief detective

because

emile began slowly

i painted a red nose on the statue in

the station square at newton

do i have to go to prison

the reporters and the chief detective

all laughed

of course not emil said the chief we

aren’t going to send one of our best

detectives to prison

i’m very happy about that emil said

he turned to one of the reporters

don’t you remember me he asked

we were on the same tram yesterday

you paid for my ticket because i had no

money

of course said the reporter and you

asked me where i lived you wanted to

come and give me back the money

can i give it to you now said emil

taking some money out of his pocket

of course not said the reporter

i’ve got a better idea

come with me and i’ll show you the

offices of our newspaper

but first we’ll go and have some tea and

cakes

i’d like to go with you very much

said emil

but paul and the captain are waiting for

me outside

then they must come to

said the reporter

but they had to wait a few more minutes

the other reporters wanted to ask some