London Art Chase Read Online Free PDF Page A

their stomachs.
    â€œOuch, Lulu!” Mia said.
    â€œOof!” Maddie said.
    Lulu rounded on them with fingers in the air. “Our great-great-great . . . well, whatever . . . old guy in our family invented the police. That means we should be excellent at solving crime. Like the mystery of who stole my suitcase, for instance.”
    â€œNo one stole your suitcase, Lulu,” Mia said. “It was just lost along the way.”
    â€œYou don’t know that,” Lulu said. “Anything could have happened to it.”
    â€œI’ll bet they’ve delivered it to our hotel room already,” Mia said.
    â€œBut what if they haven’t? What if someone took it and—”
    â€œAnd what? They’re playing with your toys? Do you really think that would happen?” Mia asked.
    Lulu started to sing a few notes that sounded like the beginning of a theme song. “The Glimmer girls are on the case!”
    Maddie couldn’t help laughing. At least Lulu wasn’t crying over the suitcase anymore.
    â€œIt would be fun to be detectives, wouldn’t it?” Maddie asked Mia.
    â€œBut what would we investigate?” Mia asked. “Who would the suspects be?”
    â€œWe can look for clues!” Lulu shouted, continuing on with her theme song.
    Another bobby clopped past on his horse, and Lulu shouted after him, “We’re related to Sir Robert Peel!”
    â€œIs that right?” The bobby circled back and dismounted.
    â€œActually, it is,” Mom said. “I was just telling the girls about their great-great-great grandfather, and about why London police are called bobbies.”
    â€œFascinating,” he said.
    â€œSo, we’re going to investigate our first crime,” Lulu said.
    â€œReally, and what is that?” the bobby asked.
    â€œSomeone stole my suitcase,” Lulu said.
    â€œActually, it got lost on our flight,” Mia said.
    Maddie looked from Mia to Lulu, praying her sisters wouldn’t get in a fight right now, not in front of a police officer.
    Instead of looking annoyed, though, the bobby nodded and pursed his lips. Then, after consideration, he said, “I suppose the suitcase could have been stolen. Or it could have been lost. When something goes wrong, the first thing a bobby must do is to think through all of the possibilities. We must never rule out any scenarios until we’re sure they’re impossible.”
    â€œWhat’s the second thing a bobby does?” Lulu asked.
    â€œWell, usually we’d look for obvious clues. Then, if it appears the situation truly is a crime, we’d call for backup. That’s because three minds are always better than one.”
    â€œSo we should look for clues!” Lulu bounced up and down on her toes. “About my suitcase!”
    â€œYou can certainly keep your eyes open,” the bobby said. “Are the airline officials looking for your suitcase?”
    â€œYes,” Mia said.
    â€œWell, then, if it were me, first I’d see what they discover. If they can’t find your suitcase in a reasonable amount of time, maybe it’s time to dig a little deeper. In any case, it’s good to have such clever minds on the case. Particularly minds that descended from Sir Robert Peel.”
    â€œWhat does descended mean?” Lulu asked.
    â€œThat means he’s your relative from a long time ago,” Mom said. “And now, Glimmer girls, I think it’s time for us to say good-bye to our new friend.”
    â€œTrue. I should head out on my patrol,” the bobby said, remounting his horse.
    â€œGood-bye!” they all called and waved.
    Mid-wave, Lulu let out a huge yawn. Maddie found herself yawning too.
    â€œWe’re all tired,” Mom said. “But every girl deserves to see the lights of London. Let’s ride around a little and then we can go back to the hotel and get a great night’s sleep.”
    â€œSounds