Egan Kate - On a Mission for Her Majesty

CATCH FLAT STANLEYS WORLDWIDE ADVENTURES:

The Mount Rushmore Calamity

The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery

The Japanese Ninja Surprise

The Intrepid Canadian Expedition

The Amazing Mexican Secret

The African Safari Discovery

The Flying Chinese Wonders

The Australian Boomerang Bonanza

The US Capital Commotion

Showdown at the Alamo

Framed in France

Escape to California

The Midnight Ride of Flat Revere

Stanley Lambchop loved Saturday mornings. He loved waking up without an alarm clock. He loved staying in his pajamas instead of getting dressed. He loved watching cartoons with his younger brother, Arthur. And he especially loved eating waffles for breakfast.

Thats enough syrup, Stanley, said his mother, Mrs. Lambchop. There was already a big puddle on his plate.

Okay, Mom. Stanley put down the bottle of syrup and picked up his knife and fork. The phone rang as he was about to take his first bite.

Mrs. Lambchop frowned. Who on earth is calling at this hour?

Stanley didnt care if it was too early for anyone to call their house. He had to grab that phone before Arthur did! Both brothers always liked to answer first.

I got it! Stanley sprang out of his chair. He raced across the kitchen toward the ringing phone. Arthur was already way ahead of him!

Mr. Lambchop was standing between the boys and the phone, pouring more batter into the waffle maker.

The thick batter moved slowly.

Arthur waited for his father to step out of the way.

Meanwhile, Stanley slipped around him and kept on running! He never knew when being flat would come in handy.

Ever since a bulletin board had fallen off his bedroom wall and onto him, Stanley had been barely thicker than a piece of paper. He could fit easily into tight corners and small spaces. Being flat had made him famous, too. Flat Stanley had traveled all over the world!

Stanley grabbed the phone before it rang again.

Hello! he said, a little out of breath.

Hello? a voice replied. It sounded crackly and far away. It also had an accent, which Stanley could tell by the way the caller said his name. May I speak to Stonley Lombchop, please?

This is he, said Stanley, as his mother had taught him.

Jolly good, Mr. Lombchop, said the voice. I am calling with an important request.

Um... yes... jolly good, said Stanley. May I ask whos calling, please?

This is Detective James Bates, from Scotland Yard.

Stanley almost dropped the phone.

Scotland Yard was the most famous police force in the whole world. It was not in Scotland, though, which was a little confusing. It was actually in London!

Detective Bates kept talking. Her Mojesty, the queen, would like your help.

Her Majesty, the queen of England? Stanley blurted out.

That got his whole familys attention.

The queen of England? repeated Mrs. Lambchop. She motioned for Stanley to give her the phone.

Stanley tried to explain. The queen isnt on the phone. Its someone calling for the queen... But his mother took the phone and started talking. After that, he could only hear one half of the conversation.

Mmm-hmm, said Mrs. Lambchop. We could do that. The boys have a school vacation coming up.

She was quiet for a minute.

Detective Bates said something Stanley couldnt hear.

That would be perfect! said Mrs. Lambchop.

She was quiet while the detective spoke again.

Yes, yes, said Mrs. Lambchop. We will be ready tomorrow. Tip-top. Cheerio!

Stanley knew they spoke English in England, but maybe it wasnt like the English he already knew. Stanley had never heard his mother use those words before. He had never heard anyone use those words before!

Mrs. Lambchop hung up the phone and turned to her family. Its a special case, she explained. Detective Bates would not say much on the phone. But he has an important job for Stanley. Were leaving for London tomorrow!

Stanley was so excited that he forgot all about his waffles. He was going to spend this Saturday morning packing his suitcase!

By Monday morning the Lambchops were in London, riding on a bright red double-decker bus. Stanley and Arthur had the front seat on the top level. Stanley felt dizzy whenever he looked down. And waitwas the bus tipping over? He planted his feet firmly for support. Being flat meant that Stanley was very light. He did not want to fly out of his seat!

Arthur saw what he was doing. Dont worry, Stanley! he said. The bus is only going around a corner.

Some of Londons streets were so narrow, the bus could barely fit. Stanley knew London was an old city. Of course, the streets were built before there even were buses, he thought.

Stanley looked out the window. Now they were passing a park. Up ahead, there was a long stone building. It looked like a really fancy school, he thought. Or maybe a fortress.

His mother tapped him on the shoulder. Look! she said.

Stanley turned around.

No, not at me! his mother said. In front of you! Its Big Ben!

She pointed to that same stone building. Now Stanley noticed a tall clock tower sticking out of one corner. A picture of this clock tower was on the cover of their guidebook!

Big Ben is a London landmark! his mother said.

Just then, the clock in the tower began to chime. Stanley counted eleven gongs of the giant bell. It was eleven oclock! They were supposed to be at Scotland Yard by now.

Luckily, just then Mr. Lambchop said, Here we are, boys, and the bus came to a stop.

Stanley thought they had arrived at a regular office building. Then he saw a spinning sign that said New Scotland Yard.

They were here!

Some of Londons best-known crimes have been solved at Scotland Yard, Stanley told Arthur. Even Sherlock Holmes worked with Scotland Yard, and he was one of the greatest detectives of all time! Stanley could not wait to hear about this case.

Detective Bates was waiting for them at the door. He was wearing a neat gray suit with a blue tie, and his accent was clearer than ever. Glod to meet you, Stonley, he said, shaking Stanleys hand. So hoppy to hove your help!

This way to the lift, Detective Bates told the Lambchops. They followed him down a hallway and into an elevator.

I think the lift must be the elevator, Stanley whispered to Arthur as they were whisked to the twentieth floor.

Come, hove a seat in my office, Detective Bates said, inviting them in. Would you like a spot of tea? he asked Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop, pointing to a tea set on his desk.

What in the world did he mean? Stanley wondered. The tea cups had no spots on them at all!