The Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodfine

Author:Katherine Woodfine [Woodfine, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Egmont

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

At four o’clock that afternoon, Sophie was hurrying down the stairs to the Exhibition Hall. She felt sharper and more alert than she had for weeks, and her pulse was racing at the prospect of doing some real sleuthing with Lil. It had proved a little difficult to get away from Mrs Milton, who had been in rather a temper with her after she had arrived late that morning, and had been watching her with an eagle eye all day. She’d managed it at last by slipping out while the Head Buyer was distracted by an especially demanding customer.

Now, she soon caught sight of Jack, who was leaning against the edge of the fountain, staring rather too conspicuously at the door to the Exhibition Hall, marked with a sign reading Closed to the Public. A very young uniformed policeman was standing outside the door, looking miserable and blowing his nose at intervals upon a large white handkerchief.

‘Hullo,’ said Jack as she approached. ‘I went over there to see if we’d be able to have a squint around inside, but I’m afraid I haven’t had much luck.’

Even as he spoke, Lil came hurrying over to them too. She was wearing her outdoor coat and hat, and her cheeks were red as if she had been hurrying. ‘I say, am I late? Awfully sorry,’ she began. ‘Is that PC Potts over there? That’s a spot of bad luck. It’ll be harder to sneak in with him on the lookout.’

‘I know,’ said Jack. ‘I did ask him if I could just pop in and have a look – but no dice! He says that no one’s allowed in under any circumstances.’

Sophie and Lil looked at each other and then Lil giggled. ‘Did you really think they were just going to let you stroll in and have a look around?’

‘Well, I don’t see why not,’ said Jack. ‘I mean, I had been working on the exhibition after all. And I don’t see how else we’re going to get in.’

‘Oh, I think we’ll probably manage,’ said Lil airily.

All the same, they would have to be careful, Sophie thought. Mr Sinclair was back at the store now, and had spent most of the day shut up in his office with Detective Worth and Mr Lyle. She was quite sure that none of the three would be at all impressed if they were caught sneaking into the Exhibition Hall and interfering with the scene of the crime. She looked at Lil, nodded in the direction of the policeman, and Lil grinned back at once. ‘Just be quick about it,’ she murmured. ‘I have to be back at the theatre soon.’

Jack looked rather confused, but all the same, he went with Sophie as she beckoned him to follow her behind one of the large marble mermaids that surrounded the elaborate fountain. From here, they were out of sight of PC Potts.

‘What are we doing?’ asked Jack.

But Sophie didn’t answer. She was watching the Exhibition Hall door. A few moments later, Lil reappeared and strolled quite casually over to the young policeman.

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