‘There’s definitely something funny going on up at End House,’ whispered Spud, as the two pups lay in their baskets in Gran’s cosy kitchen, ‘and, as Spy Pups, I think it’s our duty to investigate.’
‘I agree,’ whispered Star. ‘We need more information. Maybe there is an innocent explanation, like Mum said; if so, we’ll find out what it is.’
‘In that case we need a plan,’ said Spud sleepily. ‘Every mission needs a proper plan …’
There was a short silence while both puppies thought hard. Then Star had an idea. ‘Remember that tracking device the professor gave us to practise with? We could go back now and fix it on Strange’s car while he’s asleep.’
Spud yawned. His tummy was full of sausage rolls. It was past his usual bedtime and his blanket was just getting nice and warm. ‘Mmm, or we could go tomorrow morning – really early before anyone is awake.’
‘Oooh yes! A dawn raid!’ said Star. ‘I’ve seen them do that on the telly! But we won’t have to break down any doors, or do anything dangerous, will we, Spud? Spud?’
Her only reply was a little snuffly snore.
At five o’clock the next morning, the two pups, armed with a tiny tracking device, were creeping up the drive towards Stanley Strange’s house. ‘Don’t walk on the gravel, Spud,’ whispered Star. ‘It’s too crunchy. Follow me along the edge where there’s grass.’ Star scampered ahead, springing lightly. Spud lolloped behind, his tummy swinging heavily.
It was completely dark and didn’t feel like morning at all. Heavy clouds covered the moon, and one or two snowflakes flew about in the wind.
‘Look, Star! Snow! Wow! Do you think we’ll have snow for Christmas? Wouldn’t that be great!’ Spud went cross-eyed as he examined a snowflake that had landed on his nose.
‘Concentrate on the mission, Spud,’ said Star strictly. ‘There’s the car. Now, let’s see if the Santa outfit is still inside.’
The pups jumped on the bonnet and tried to peer through the car’s windows but this time it was too dark to see. I wonder if we could pick the lock, thought Star. But what if the car’s got an alarm?
She looked for a winking light on the dashboard. ‘Hey, wait a minute!’ she said.
‘I think he’s forgotten to lock it!’ She went round to the back door, leapt up and pushed hard against the handle. Sure enough, the door swung open and the car’s interior lights came on.
‘Great!’ said Spud, jumping in. ‘Now we can have a proper look.’
The hat, the boots and the white beard were still lying on the back seat but the rest of the outfit had gone. Something else had been added instead – a sack packed with objects of different shapes and sizes.
‘It’s filled with presents!’ said Spud excitedly. ‘Toys, I bet! Maybe we’ve got it wrong and Stanley Strange is nicer than we thought. I wonder if there’s a pirate ship in there? Or a racing car? Or maybe some choccies?’
Spud burrowed into the sack until only his short, plump back legs and his wagging tail could be seen poking out of the end.
‘Well,’ Spud’s voice sounded disappointed in the depths of the sack. ‘There are a lot of boxes wrapped in Christmas paper, but they all feel really light. I think they’re fake presents, not real ones …’
‘Is that all?’ asked Star from the outside, addressing Spud’s tail.
‘No, there are some other things too – a giant box of matches and – yikes! A rope … and a blindfold and … and … a big heavy baseball bat.’ Spud began to wriggle backwards. ‘I don’t like this, Star. Let’s get out of here!’
Just then Star heard the sound of footsteps crunching across the gravel from the direction of the house.
‘Spud!’ she squeaked. ‘It’s Strange. He’s coming this way!’
Spud’s rear end scuttled straight back into the sack. ‘Shut the door quickly and hide in here with me,’ he hissed. ‘Hurry! That man is dangerous!’
In the nick of time, Star pulled the car door gently closed and slithered into the sack. The two pups huddled together, trying to keep perfectly still as the footsteps drew nearer and Strange climbed into the driver’s seat. He was talking quietly into his mobile phone.
‘OK, you’ve got the name of the shop, haven’t you?’ said Strange in his thin, whiny voice. ‘Yes, that’s right, the big department store in London.’
He’s planning something – I knew it! thought Spud. We’d better listen carefully.
Strange went on, ‘Why today? Because it’s the biggest shopping day in the biggest shopping week of the year, that’s why! All those mummies and daddies buying expensive Christmas presents for their nasty little sprogs. The shop will have taken millions. It’s the perfect day for a robbery.’
A robbery! He’s planning to rob a big London store! Spud fought to control his wagging tail.
Then Strange laughed. It wasn’t a nice laugh, either. More of a snigger, thought Star.
‘Don’t worry. All I need is a few minutes on one of the store’s computers and I can move all the money out of the shop’s bank account and straight into ours … Yes, all of it! No, of course they won’t be able to trace it! What do you think I’ve been working on all these weeks? I can guarantee no one will ever know how – or where – the money went. It’s the perfect crime! But you have to do your bit too … OK … Twelve o’clock, midday … Right. See you!’
Then Stanley Strange, looking unusually plump in his jolly red, padded Santa outfit, drove off through the sleeping village, along the empty roads and out towards the motorway.