The Caper of the Crown Jewels (8 page)

Ivan the Incredible lifted his arms to the audience, as if he were begging for applause. The dutiful spectators did just what he asked. They broke into such a roar of claps and cheers that Jack could barely think.

“Welcome! Welcome!” Ivan called to the audience. “So glad you could be here for my very last show! Tonight,” he said, “is a very special night. It's special for two reasons. The first is that I have created a brand-new show just for you. Its theme is ‘Kings and Queens,' in honor of this great country.

“The second,” Ivan the Incredible continued, “is because an old friend of mine is sitting in the audience tonight.” He looked down at Jack as a spotlight was directed on top of him. “His name is Jack
Stalwart, and if you give him some encouragement, maybe he will join me on stage later tonight.”

The audience whistled and cheered for
Jack, who slumped down in his chair, trying not to be noticed.

How did he know I was here? he asked himself. Although Jack was sitting close to the stage, the lights had been out until Ivan had burst through the flames. This is terrible, thought Jack. Not only had Ivan changed the show, he'd ruined Jack's chances of making an arrest without causing a big fuss.

The crowd started chanting again: “Ivan . . . Ivan . . . Ivan . . .”

Ivan the Incredible looked at Jack and smiled before turning back towards the soaring flames. He walked through them again, but this time, as he did so, the fire vanished, taking Ivan with it. Jack sat bolt upright in his chair. He wondered whether Ivan had left the show for good.

Within seconds, a beautiful white bird
flew down from the rafters and onto the stage. Jack took a deep breath and settled back into this seat. This was one of Ivan's tricks. He hadn't left the show yet.

Almost as soon as the bird landed, it became Ivan the Incredible again. But this time, he was dressed like Henry VIII, who was King of England in the early 1500s.

From the right side of the stage, Jack could hear a noise. It sounded as if someone were pushing something heavy on rollers.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” said Ivan. “As promised, I have themed this show around the great kings and queens of Britain. For my first feat of illusion, I
would like to re-enact the beheading of Lord Hastings, ordered by Henry the Eighth. And I would like my kind friend, Jack Stalwart, to join me onstage.”

Jack's eyes widened. A large round block of wood was being rolled onto the stage by Ivan's assistant, Jazz. It looked like a tree stump. Stuck in the middle was a shiny, sharp ax with its handle pointing straight up in the air. Jack sat frozen in his seat. He gulped and looked around. He could hear the audience starting to chant his name. “Jack . . . Jack . . . Jack . . .”

He looked up at Ivan the Incredible, who was smiling and motioning for Jack to come onstage.

Jack didn't know what to do. He knew that magic was all about illusion. He knew that Ivan the Incredible wouldn't or couldn't actually behead him onstage.

But then again, this wasn't an ordinary evening. Ivan was trying to get away with a terrible crime and Jack was the only person standing in his way.

“No thanks,” Jack shouted to Ivan.

“Did you hear that, audience?” yelled Ivan. “He's a bit nervous. Why don't we give Jack some encouragement?” He lifted his arms and waved his hands at the throngs of men, women, and children in the theater.

The audience's chants grew louder. They were cheering for Jack. Above the noise, he heard a man from two rows back.

“Come on, kid!” the man shouted. “It's just a magic trick!” He's right, Jack told himself, trying to stay calm. It is just a magic trick. There was no way Ivan could hurt Jack in front of all these people. Besides, getting onstage might give Jack a chance to figure out where the Crown Jewels actually were.

“All right! All right!” said Jack as he grabbed his Book Bag and made his way onstage.

“So wonderful to see you again,” said Ivan to Jack as he placed his hand on Jack's back. Ivan led him towards Jazz, who was waiting next to the wooden block. The audience was chanting in the background.

“I know you took the jewels,” said Jack, looking up at Ivan. “Why don't you just tell me where they are and we can forget about the whole thing?”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Ivan said, smiling. “I don't see any jewels
around here.” He shoved Jack towards Jazz and turned back to his adoring audience.

“Ladies and gentleman,” said Ivan, assuming the role of Henry VIII. “The person before you is a traitor!” He turned around and pointed to Jack. “He has committed the crime of high treason and is therefore sentenced to death by beheading.”

While Ivan was talking to his audience, Jazz pulled the ax out of the wood. He motioned for Jack to put his neck in place. Jack knelt down before the block, looking at the deep cut where the ax had been. There was no doubt something sharp had made that cut. He just hoped for his sake it wasn't this ax. Jack reluctantly lowered his head.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” said Ivan as Henry VIII. “The beheading of Lord Hastings!”

Quickly, Jack closed his eyes. In the background he could hear Jazz pick up the ax and swing it into the air before letting it come down over Jack's neck.

He was aware of a funny feeling on his neck and then felt something warm dripping over his ears.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and lifted his head. To his relief and amazement the rest of his body came with it. Jazz hadn't cut his head off after all and the warm feeling was just fake blood that had oozed out of the magic ax.

The theater was filled with applause. This time, the cheers weren't just for Ivan and Jazz. They were for Jack, too. As Jack started to move offstage, Jazz came up behind him.

“Leave us alone,” he said, grabbing Jack's left arm tightly, “or we'll kill you for real.”