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

Griffin 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.