The Future Door (22 page)

Sir Henry's glittering black eyes scanned the crowd, noticing that all were riveted to his every word. Griffin squirmed with excitement as he spoke, thrilled to be hearing this story firsthand. It was one that he hadn't read about in any of his massive collection of Penny Dreadfuls.

“I had managed to kill a ferocious lion a few hours before, and felt certain that the rest of the pride would soon hunt me down. Unless we traversed the river, there would be little hope of throwing them off the scent. We were, in effect, doomed!” Sir Henry Moss said.

He paused for effect. “With no apparent way across the churning river, we were left with little hope. Suddenly, a series of loud roars sounded in the jungle not fifty paces behind me. I drew my pistol, having recently lost my elephant gun in a stampede of wildebeests. This was it! I would make my stand, taking down as many as I could before the inevitable happened.”

The crowd hung on every word. The entire theater was silent.

“But then, just as all seemed lost, I spotted a small herd of giraffe grazing nearby.” Sir Henry Moss smiled, showing rows of glittering white teeth.

“Now, the giraffe is a creature especially suited to crossing bodies of water, due to its extended neck, and they are quite excellent swimmers. So after working with my guides to surround a few of the docile beasts, we were able to make it across in short order, just as the pride of lions appeared.”

He raised his palm to his forehead in a theatrical gesture, pretending to wipe sweat from his eyes. “By Jove, it was a relief to escape the ferocious beasts. Their frustrated roars split the air, shaking the very trees to their roots. After landing on the opposite bank, I was so delighted by our harrowing escape that I fired off three rounds in a victory salute, sending the big pussycats running for cover.”

He sighed and opened his arms in a wide gesture. “It was one of my narrower escapes, to be sure,” he finished.

The crowd cheered. Sir Henry Moss bowed. Rupert, who was sitting next to Griffin, grinned at him, impressed like everyone else at the incredible ingenuity Moss had shown in escaping the great cats.

But Griffin didn't share his uncle's enthusiasm. He stared at the posturing man onstage, his face twisted in an attitude of stunned disbelief.

“What's wrong?” asked Rupert, looking confused.

“He's a fake,” Griffin said quietly. Then added, “I really shouldn't have wasted my pennies on those magazines.”

How did Griffin know?

Turn to page 209 for the answer.

THE CASE OF THE
MISSING MASTERPIECE
A Griffin Sharpe Mini-Mystery

G
riffin Sharpe gazed at the incredible paintings, taking in every detail and appreciating every brushstroke. Paris was absolutely beautiful, and its collection of art even more so. The Louvre Museum was the last stop on his vacation, a wonderful treat provided by his parents.

Griffin's mother and father had taken a steamship to London to visit their son and to announce the happy news. His father had received special permission from the Methodist Church to temporarily pastor a small country church in England. It meant that Griffin and his uncle Rupert could continue to work on cases together for a little while longer, something that made Griffin feel quite happy. He hoped that it would be several months before his family would return to Boston. He'd grown accustomed to life in London and would miss his routines, especially his frequent visits to Mrs. Tottingham's bakery!

“Look, Mother,” Griffin said excitedly. “That line over there is for the
Mona Lisa
!”

Mrs. Sharpe gazed down at her son, her eyes twinkling. “Well, we mustn't miss that one. Lead on, dear.”

Griffin took his place in line with his parents right behind. He gazed at his printed brochure, noting the important details surrounding the famous painting.

“Did you know that in the 1800s the
Mona Lisa
hung in Napoleon's bedroom?” Griffin asked his father.

Mr. Sharpe, who was in the middle of eating a delicious-looking French pastry, swallowed and said, “Is that so?”

“Yes!” said Griffin excitedly. “I just read it here.”

He paged through the small brochure, eagerly soaking in the details as the line slowly inched toward the painting.

“Oh, and how about this?” Griffin said. “Leonardo da Vinci never sold the portrait to the family who commissioned it. In fact, he never sold the painting at all!”

Griffin's parents were used to their son's excitement over learning something new and listened patiently as the line wound back and forth through the long rows of paintings. Finally, after almost two hours, they reached the viewing area.

Behind velvet ropes was the masterpiece. Griffin's breath caught in his throat as he gazed at the beautiful, serene woman in the painting. He took in the famous expression, her knowing glance, her eyebrows slightly lifted to give way to her gentle smile.

But the reason his breath caught wasn't because Griffin was awed over her beauty. He glanced back down at the brochure, noting the reproduction of the painting enclosed therein. Then he folded up the brochure and put it in his pocket.

He turned to his father and said, “I think we'd better notify the police.”

Griffin's parents stared back down at him, concerned.

“Why? What happened?” they asked simultaneously.

“Because,” Griffin said as he marched toward the French security guard standing nearby, “the
Mona Lisa
has been stolen!”

How did Griffin know?

Turn to page 209 for the answer.

HOW TO BREW THE PERFECT
POT OF BRITISH TEA

E
ver wonder how they do it in Britain? This is the perfect technique for a wonderful pot of tea. Don't forget the scones!

1. The proper way to brew a cup of tea is to start with boiling water. This is essential! Don't just heat the water . . . boil it!

2. The tea bag should be placed in the cup or pot before the water is added, not afterward. The water has to be at the boiling point when it makes contact with the tea or it will not brew properly.

3. Make sure the cup or pot is nice and hot
before
you start. You can rinse the cup or pot with hot water and keep it covered while the water is coming to a boil.

4. Leave the bag in the water for at least two to three minutes, depending on how strong you like it. And don't “bob” the bag up and down while you wait. Your patience will be rewarded!

5. English Breakfast is a good tea to use in America. Twinings is a popular brand.

6. If you take your tea with milk, put the milk in the cup first and then pour the tea over it. If you like sugar, use white sugar, not brown. One lump or two? It's your choice!

7. Sit back and enjoy your cup while reading about Griffin Sharpe's adventures. Of course, a nice plate filled with Mrs. Tottingham's Lemon Scones is the perfect companion while you drink! (You can find that recipe in the first book about Griffin Sharpe,
No Place Like Holmes
.) Enjoy!

ANSWERS TO GRIFFIN SHARPE
MINI-MYSTERIES

ANSWER TO “THE CASE OF THE BIG GAME HUNTER”
Giraffes don't swim and will always refuse to cross large bodies of water, including rivers.

ANSWER TO “THE CASE OF THE MISSING MASTERPIECE”
When Griffin noticed the
Mona Lisa
's eyebrows, he knew the painting to be a fake. The real
Mona Lisa
doesn't have any, and she doesn't have eyelashes either!

Travel back in time to London and solve
mysteries with Sherlock Holmes's protégé!

Griffin Sharpe notices everything, which makes him the perfect detective! And since he lives next door to Sherlock Holmes, mysteries always seem to find him. With Griffin's keen mind and strong faith, together with his uncle Rupert's genius inventions, there is no case too tricky for the detectives of 221 Baker Street!

By Jason Lethcoe

www.tommynelson.com
www.jasonlethcoe.com/holmes

Check out all of the great books in the series!
No Place Like Holmes
The Future Door

IF YOU WERE DESCENDED
FROM ANGELS, HOW WOULD
YOU USE YOUR POWERS?