Page 183 - Cascade I SHPS School Magazine 2024

“This is going to be an interesting day. I “Ah,” said Pillai. “I think I have solved the
think I’ll write it in my diary,” remarked Dr mystery.”
Vasudevan excitedly taking his new notebook. “So, who is the culprit?” asked everyone.
“Ooh, and checkmate, by the way.” “Well, I don’t know who it is, but I do know
And so Detective Pillai, Arun the newspaper where we can find her. Follow me, comrades.”
boy and the journaling doctor set out in search So the three got into an auto- “To the great M
of the lost bicycle. S Street Bake-Off,” cried Mr Pillai.
“So, my boy, let’s retrace your steps. Where There were rows and rows of bicycles parked
did you start your day?” asked Mr Pillai. “I’ll at the side. “Arun, look for your cycle!” cried
take you there, sir, to my home.” They looked at Mr Pillai. “And I will apprehend the thief.”
every corner of Arun’s house but they couldn’t As they got in, the Bake-Off was announcing
find any clues. They even checked the neigh- the results. “The first prize goes to this wonder-
bour’s house, that is, until the neighbour’s dog ful cherry cake by Anita,” announced the judge.
chased them out!!! “Stop, thief!” cried Pillai.
That’s when Mr Pillai put his hands in his “Hey, why are you calling my sister a thief?”
pockets. And what did he find there? — his asked Arun, his cycle in hand.
trusted magnifying glass.
“Out of the way. Let me examine the ground
for tracks.” And sure enough, leading out of the
house were bicycle tracks.
The three diligently followed the tracks,
though it took the better part of the morning.
This was because the ‘master detective’ had fall-
en down several times, as he refused to look up
from his magnifying glass!!
The tracks led to the corner supermarket.
“Aha, the criminal should be in here,” cried Mr
Pillai. “You!” he shouted at the cashier.
“What sir?” asked the cashier, frightened by
the detective’s moustache.
“Did you steal this young fellow’s bicycle?”
asked Mr Pillai.
“No, sir. I am an honest businessman,” he “Oh, so it was your sister,” said Dr Vasude-
said, slipping some notes from the cash count- van, scribbling away in his journal. “That’s a
er into his pocket. “But someone with a cycle plot twist! My book will be famous.”
did visit here today. It was …” he whispered, “A Anita came down from the stage and hugged
young girl.” Arun. “Sorry, I didn’t tell you about the cycle.
Dr Vasudevan perked up at this. “A femme I couldn’t find you in the morning, and I was
fatale – a great addition to my journal,” he said running out of time. Here, you and your friends
scribbling away. should have a piece of my cake.”
“So, what business did the girl have here?” So, all four ended up munching on some
asked Mr Pillai to the shopkeeper. yummy cherry cake, and the master detec-
“Well, she bought some flour, sugar, eggs, tive thought — “I am just glad I can keep my
baking soda and strangely some imported cher- moustache this time.”
ries.”

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