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
on
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
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
no
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
pin
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
it
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
no
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
no
there was another one
no
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
no
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
i
i
don’t know yet
said emil
well then
get off at the next stop
no
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
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
oh
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
no
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
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
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
no
ok
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
no
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
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
go
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
so
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
oh
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
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
oh
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
more questions
emil told them everything that they
wanted to know
they wrote it all down
is this the first time that mr greene
has stolen anything one of them asked
the chief detective
i don’t think so he replied
phone me in an hour it’s possible that
i’ll have a big surprise for you
the reporter from the tram put emil paul
and the captain into a taxi and they all
drove away for tea and cakes
paul sounded his horn on the way
in the cafe the boys ate a lot of cakes
and told the reporter about their
exciting adventure
they told him about the meeting in the
square and how they followed the taxi
they told him how paul dressed as a lift
boy and about the fight in the bank
you are three of the finest boys that
i’ve ever met the reporter said at the
end
they all felt very proud of themselves
after tea the reporter took emil to the
newspaper office
it was a very large building
people were running in and out of rooms
all the time
everyone seemed very busy
the place was filled with the sound of
people typing
they went into a room where a young lady
was sitting
the reporter walked up and down telling
her emile’s story
emil watched as she typed it all
then the reporter telephoned the chief
detective’s office
he listened for some time
really
is that true
emil heard him say
you don’t want me to tell him
thank you very much
it will be a wonderful story for the
newspaper
the reporter turned to emil and said
come with me quickly we must take your
photograph
why
asked emil in surprise
the reporter smiled
they went up in the lift and into a
large room
emile tided his hair and someone took
his photograph
then the reporter took emil down to the
street
he called a taxi to take a meal home
goodbye
the reporter said
and don’t forget to read the newspaper
this afternoon
i think you’ll be very surprised
chapter eight
with grandmother at last
on the way to bridge street emil asked
the driver to stop at the cafe
his case and the flowers were still
there
he took them thanked the owner of the
cafe and got back into the taxi
at last they arrived at his
grandmother’s house
emil rang the bell
the door opened and his grandmother was
standing in front of him
she kissed him pulled his hair and said
emil you wild boy
we’ve heard some very strange stories
about you
polly and her mother came running from
the kitchen
they both looked very pleased
did you get the money back polly asked
of course
emil answered
he took the notes from his pocket and
gave his grandmother 60 pounds
here’s the money grandmother he said
it comes with mother’s love
she’s sorry that she couldn’t send any
for the last three months
but business wasn’t very good
now she sent you more than usual
thank you very much my child
the old woman answered
she gave him back one of the pound notes
and said
that’s for you
because you’re an excellent detective
emil thanked his grandmother
then he gave the flowers to his aunt
she took the paper off them and polly
brought a pot of water from the kitchen
but it was too late the flowers were
dead
oh dear
they look like dry grass said polly
they were fresh when mother gave them to
me emil said sadly
but i couldn’t give them any water
yesterday
it doesn’t matter his grandmother said
now we must have our dinner
uncle won’t be home before this evening
can you help me please polly
after dinner emil wanted to ride polly’s
shining new bicycle so he and polly went
out into the street
his grandmother laid down to rest
his aunt made an apple cake
her apple cakes were famous
as emil was riding along bridge street a
policeman came past
do you know where number 15 is he asked
yes
why
has something happened emil replied
he was thinking about the statue again
no no
said the policeman
are you the school boy emil fisher
yes sir
the policeman didn’t say another word he
just walked to the house and rang the
bell
emile’s aunt asked the policeman to sit
down in the sitting room
his grandmother woke up
she wanted to know what was happening
too
emil and polly stood near the table they
were all excited
i have some news for you the policeman
began
emil and his detectives followed a bank
thief
the police have wanted to catch the man
for a long time
we found his fingerprints in our list of
criminals so he had to tell us
everything
and this time his story was true
most of the money that he stole was in
his hat and inside his coat
it was all in hundred pound notes
really said polly she couldn’t believe
it
the policeman continued
two weeks ago the bank promised a reward
to the person who found the thief
and you caught the man he said turning
to emil
so you’ll receive the reward
the chief detective is very pleased
the policeman took some notes from his
pocket and put them on the table
fifty pounds he said
emil looked at the money
he was too surprised to speak
his grandmother gave the policeman a cup
of coffee and then he left
the old woman put her arm around emil
saying
i can’t believe it i can’t believe it
emile still couldn’t speak but polly
could she jumped up and down shouting
now we can invite all the boys here to
tea
yes emil said but first we must invite
mother
chapter nine
emile’s mother goes to the city
the next morning mrs fisher’s neighbor
mrs martin rang her doorbell
how are you mrs fisher she asked
i’m worried about my son mrs fisher
replied he hasn’t written to me since he
went to the city
i’m watching for the postman all the
time
well now you can stop worrying my dear
said mrs martin i came to tell you that
he’s fine he sends his love
where is he
how do you know
he’s very well
he’s also famous
he caught a thief and was given a reward
of 50 pounds
you must go to the city on the next
train
but who told you all this
your sisters just phoned me you must go
and see them immediately
later that afternoon
mrs fisher had another surprise
she was sitting on the train and a man
opposite her was reading a newspaper
suddenly she saw something on the front
page
that’s my son she cried pointing to a
photograph of emil
the man put down the newspaper and
looked up in surprise
really
he said
so you’re emil fisher’s mother
i’m sure you’re very proud of him
here you can read the story
and he gave her the newspaper
country boy acts as detective
she read
100 children follow a thief
then came emile’s story
mrs fisher read every word carefully
when she finished she felt very proud of
her son
so she read the story again
seven times
emil was waiting for her at east station
isn’t it wonderful
he said
and do you know what i’m going to do
i’m going to buy a new coat for you and
a football for me
his mother smiled
that’s very nice dear dear but i’ve got
a better idea
we’ll put most of the money in the bank
and save it
when you’re older it will be very useful
to you
well
okay
said emil but you’ll still have your
coat
and now
i’d like you to meet my friends
where are they at grandmother’s house
aunt has made one of her apple cakes and
we’ve asked all the boys to a tea party
they’re there now making a lot of noise
and it was noisy when they arrived
all emil’s new friends were there
paul the captain
gerald walter robert tony
john
little tuesday and the others there
weren’t enough chairs for everyone
polly was running from one table to
another with a big pot of tea
everyone was eating apple cake
the old grandmother was laughing happily
emile’s mother thanked the boys for
helping her son
suddenly the old grandmother stood up
now listen to me boys
she began
there was silence
i’m not going to tell you how wonderful
you are she said it isn’t a good idea to
be too proud of yourselves
it’s true that you caught a thief
but there’s one boy here who wanted to
follow mr green with the rest of you
he wanted to go after him in a taxi and
dress in a lift boy’s clothes and watch
him secretly
but he didn’t
he did what you told him to do
he stayed at home by the telephone and
helped in that way
everyone looked at little tuesday
yes
i’m talking about little tuesday the
grandmother continued
he stayed by the telephone for two days
it was a boring job but he did it well
now let’s all stand up and thank little
tuesday
and that is exactly what everyone did
the party ended and all the boys went
home
but first they promised to meet again
before emil went back to newton
the family sat and talked about emile’s
adventure
well
said emil
i’ve learned one lesson
you can’t believe everything that
strangers tell you
and i’ve learned something too said his
mother it’s not a good idea for boys to
travel alone
emile’s grandmother didn’t agree
you’re wrong dear she said you’re wrong
perhaps said emile’s mother but isn’t
there a lesson that we can learn from
this
the old lady smiled
yes there is she said
life is difficult sometimes
but there are many kind people in the
world
she turned to emil
and a true friend comes when you need
help
you