.o.O.o
It was the last night before school started again and the twins were packing up their bags. The girls were excited to start school again and be with Miss Clavel. During the summer, when they were with Kathy, they did a bunch of chores. And only ran errands with Kathy.
However during the summer though Madeline accidentally broke a dinner plate and Kathy hit her very hard that it left a bruise. So Madeline worries what her friends will say. Another day Riley forgot to weed the garden so Kathy hit her as well.
That night Madeline says Riley are you awake?"
Riley nods her head yes
Madeline says I can't wait to see Genieve Marie again.
Riley nods and says yes and it will be awesome to see Pepito and Steven again.
Madeline giggles
but then the bedroom door slams open and Kathy storms into the room and yells "GO TO SLEEP BRATS! the twins wince and Kathy makes her point clear by slapping the twins for the third time this summer. After Kathy leaves the room, Madeline and Riley fall asleep.
The next day Both Madeline and Riley woke up happy and ready to go back to school. After getting dressed they went into the kitchen for breakfast. Kathy handed the twins a plate of toast with butter. While they were eating
Madeline asked "when are we going back to the old house Aunt Kathy.
Kathy said I'll take you back after you finish your chores.
And with that Kathy handed a list of chores. Madeline and Riley groaned but didn't say anything.
After breakfast the twins started on their chores and by the time they were done they were beat red in the face. "Whew I'm glad we're finally done." Riley said and Madeline nodded.
Both girls then walked into the Kitchen to get a drink of water. Riley got two cups and filled them up and she handed one to her sister. Both girls were about to take a drink when Kathy came in
. Kathy said in an angry voice "What do you think you're both doing?
Madeline and Riley gasped and turned around so sudden that the glasses fell out of their hands and shattered. Kathy's face turned even redder.
Kathy then yelled "Look what you brats did."
S…sorry Aunt Kathy both twins stammered.
Kathy huffed and said "Now start cleaning that mess."
The twins nodded. Riley said I'll go get the broom.
Kathy stopped her though and said "oh no you're going to pick up all those glass pieces by hand.
The twins looked at their aunt in shock.
NOW GET ON IT". Kathy screamed.
The twins sighed and by the time they were done with that,, both Madeline's and Riley's hands had small cuts and some were bleeding.
Kathy said now we can go.
Both twins hurried to get their bags.
As they were Leaving the twins saw Emily and Helen reading in their yard.
The twins called "Hi Emily hi Mrs Hellen.
The two neighbors waved.
Kathy then came up behind the two twins and yelled "Let's go Brats"! then grabbed the twins by their ears and pulled them away.
Helen saw this and gasped. Taking out a small note pad from her bag, Helen wrote down what had happened.
Kathy drove the twins to the school. Madeline and Riley were about to walk to the front door, when Kathy got out of the car and came around pulling the girls ears again and pulled them to the front door. Kathy knocked and Mrs Murphy answered the door. As soon as the cook saw Kathy though she sighed and said "hello Kathy" (Mrs Murphy didn't like Kathy at all.)
Kathy said hello and then pulled the twins inside the house with her. The cook looked down at the twins and her eyes winded as she saw the twins trying to hold back tears of pain.
Trying to not let her anger show, the cook smiled at the twins and said welcome back twins, why don't you go and put your stuff in the bedroom and then you can tell me what you did over the summer.
The twins nodded. Kathy let go of the twins. Both Madeline and Riley quickly grabbed their bags.
As they were both about to walk upstairs Kathy put her foot out and caused the girls to fall hard on the floor. Madeline and Riley got up and picked up their bags once again and painfully walked upstairs.
Mrs Murphy gasped and quickly walked back to the kitchen. Kathy was about to leave when she pulled a small round black object and very quickly hid it in a small hole that was on the wall. (The little object was a camera) Kathy smiled an evil smile and said now I'll be able to watch those twins from anywhere. Kathy then left.
After she left, both Madeline and Riley came back downstairs and walked into the kitchen.
Mrs Murphy turned around and smiled at the twins. The cook then poured two cups of lemonade and told the twins to sit and relax.
Once the twins were sitting at the table Mrs Murphy noticed the twins scratched up hands and instantly became concerned.
"What happened to your hands, girls the cook asked.
The twins looked at each other and in a low voice they told the cook what Kathy had done to them over the summer.
The cook was shocked at the abuse the twins had received. By the time Madeline and Riley finished telling the story, both girls had tear stains on their cheeks.
Mrs Murphy hugged the twins and said it's alright you're safe here.
The twins sniffed. The cook then got the first aid kit and then got to work bandaging up Madeline and Riley's hands. Where's Miss Clavel and the other girls Riley asked.
The cook told the twins about how their teacher had taken the other girls on a long walk.
Madeline told Riley "if we didn't have to pick up the glasses we would've been on that walk as well.
Riley agreed with her sister. Just then the girls heard the door open and heard laughter.
"Well it looks like they're back. The cook said.
The twins thanked the cook for fixing them up and they hurried to go see their friends. Miss Clavel heard footsteps and looked up and the teacher's face lit up seeing the twins.
Madeline, Riley it's so good to see you again." Miss Clavel gave the twins a tight hug.
The twins then got hugs from their other friends. After the greetings everyone sat down to dinner.
After dinner the girls went upstairs to get ready for bed. After brushing their teeth, Miss Clavel went up to the twins and asked them what happened to their hands.
The twins once again told their story to Miss Clavel.
Their teacher looked the twins over and saw more bruises on the twins. Miss clavel looked at her two little girls and said I'm sorry you both had to deal with that this summer.
The twins nodded. Miss clavel then said, you know what since you both missed the walk, I think we will go to the zoo tomorrow.
Both Madeline and Riley said yay and gave their teacher a hug.
After that Miss Clavel and the girls went into the bedroom where the other little girls were waiting. The twins got into their beds after saying good night to Miss Clavel, the girls fell asleep. Excited for the next day.
….
Madeline and the 40 thieves
Narrator: In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived thirteen little girls in two straight lines. They left the house at half past nine, in two straight lines, in rain or shine.
Miss Clavel counted her young charges "Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix, onze"- as Miss Clavel gasped in shock.
The older one was Riley and the smallest was Madeline.
at the Seine
Madeline and her sister were watching the boats float on the river. Madeline then said wouldn't it be nice to sail a boat? Riley turned around and saw her teacher.
"Um, Madeline - maybe we better wait until we are back at the old house to talk about that.." Riley suggested, as Miss Clavel's foot tapped the pavement angrily.
Madeline said "Oh, okay Riley!"
Narrator : On a windy day in early fall, Miss Clavel say"
Miss Clavel said "Let us not go outside at all!"
But the girls had other ideas. "We cannot stay inside, s'il vous plait, Miss Clavel?" they cried. Miss Clavel sighed she really didn't want to keep the girls inside.
"Oh, very well, little girls, but be sure to dress warmly," Miss Clavel conceded. The 13 girls cheered and nodded and hurried to get their coats.
Narrator: They had planned to go to the zoo, so they wrapped up in scarves red, green and blue, and headed down the avenue. The wind was blowing everywhere- it blew them to the polar bear! And to the tiger turning blue, Madeline could only say "
Madeline Achoo!" and started to shiver.
"Tut, my Darling, we must go home!" It's getting more windy and I don't need anyone getting sick. said Miss Clavel.
Narrator : The girls all lined up all set to go when Chloe suddenly exclaimed,
Chole said "Where is my chapeau?" "I had it on when we got here."
"We must find it!" Riley said.
"Where could it be?" asked Danielle.
Narrator: They searched high, and they searched low, but where the hat had gone, they did not know!
"We must count it as lost. I am sorry Chloe," Miss Clavel finally said, "Now allons-y!"
Narrator: But Chloe's cap was only the start. Soon, more and more things began to depart.
when they get Back to the house "My shoes! Where have they gone?" exclaimed Danielle. "How could shoes just go missing like the twins thought."
Later, as the girls played outside with Steven and Pepito, Riley asked "Madeline you didn't borrow brand-new mittens have you. "No I would've told you if I did Madeline said. Well they seem to have gone missing. Have you seen them, Steve?"
"Your very handsome red and blue ones?" Steven asked. Yes, he had begun to care very much for Riley by now.
"Yes. ," Riley said.
Steve looked sympathetic. "Sorry Riley, I haven't seen them," he said.
The next morning, as the girls was dressed, Chloe said "My sock- it is gone! Who took it?"
Narrator: Just as Miss Clavel feared, so many things had disappeared.
"Really, little girls –you are getting so absent minded!" scolded, reaching for her coat- but it was not there! "My coat!" she exclaimed, "It was here yesterday! Where could it be?"
The girls couldn't help laughing from the doorway.
Miss Clavel sighed. "Don't laugh, mes petites. How could this occur?" she asked. All the girls didn't know what was going on.
Narrator ; But the answer to that was left unsaid, and so, they sat down and broke their bread.
All the girls chorused "We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other!"
Narrator : They brushed their teeth and went to bed.
Bonne nuit, little girls. I hope you sleep well," said Miss Clavel as always.
"Bonne nuit, dear Miss Clavel!" the girls all said.
Narrator ; Then Miss Clavel turned out the light. But tonight, there was no pillow fight, for the little girls had a terrible fright!
As the clock struck 9:30pm
At the sound of loud creaking nearby,
Danielle asked "What is that?"
All of the girls gasped as they heard the sound again! "What is that?" whispered Chloe.
The sound got closer "Oh no!" the girls cried, and they all dove under their beds.
"It is only Madeline or Riley with one of their silly tricks?" suggested Danielle hopefully.
"Excuse moi, Danielle, but how that can be when Madeline and I are right here next to you?" Riley contradicted.
The loud creaking was heard once again! The girls squeaked in alarm, The door to the bedroom opened and the girls squeaked in fear but Madeline said in relief "It is only Miss Clavel!"
Sure enough, their teacher was in the room.
"Little girls, I heard a strange, strange noise!" Miss Clavel exclaimed.
And all the girls began talking at once. "We were so scared!" they said.
Then, they heard the creaking again, All the girls hurried and held on to their teacher. The creaking happened again.
Miss Clavel said "Shh! Here it is again, mes petites!" Madeline and Riley listened for a moment and heard where the sound was coming from.
"It is coming from the attic!" said Madeline.
"We'll go and see!" Riley said boldly, "Does anyone want to come with me?"
Narrator : The 11 little girls all hid in fright, afraid to find the awful sound that made the creaky noise that night.
"No not me!" they all quavered.
"I will not go up there!" said Chloe firmly.
Miss Clavel said "That's alright girls Madeline, Riley and I will go."
Narrator ; Miss Clavel, Riley and Madeline refused to be scared, and they hurried off to find the noise upstairs. The attic was a scary place. They tiptoed in with solemn grace. When they entered,
they cried "Eek!"
Narrator ; because something in the attic went creak!
"Do you hear it? Regardez, something is there!" Miss Clavel whispered. Riley went with Miss Clavel to see, while Madeline stood by the doorway.
as Miss Clavel laughed suddenly. "Oh ho, ho, ho, it is just the window screen!" she said.
Narrator: Then Madeline's eyes grew wide with fright, as she looked around. for something Had been there that night!
Madeline exclaimed, "Miss Clavel! Riley! Quick! Look here, our old winter clothing has all disappeared!" The twins and their teacher gasped as they looked at the smaller pile of old clothes. Suddenly a sound was heard as a shadow appeared.
Riley gasped. "Madeline, shh look, look- voile there he is!" she said.
All three gasped,
Narrator : Miss Clavel held Riley and Madeline very tight and watched the robber slipped away into the night. Miss Clavel called Detective Monroe. He quickly came and searched the house high and low as Riley, Madeline and Danielle watched from the top of the stairs. But in the end, he was had to leave without so much as a clue. No one in the house slept well- not the girls, the dog, or Miss Clavel. The next morning as they were awaking, the little girls were still shaking and were very tired. The 13 girls were so tired that they couldn't even do their classes.
Finally Riley nor Madeline could stand it.
"Mes amies do not stand there quaking. We must catch the thief!" Riley cried impatiently. Oui I agree with Riley. Madeline said standing next to her sister.
"But Riley, what can we do?" Danielle asked.
"Oui! We are only small girls!" Nicole wailed.
"He is a very big thief!" said Chloe.
How do you know if the thief is a boy? Madeline huffed at her friend. The little girl then told the group.
"We will catch Monsieur Thief!" Madeline said stoutly.
"But how?" Chloe asked.
Riley jumped up onto her bed
Riley:
We know exactly what to do. We will follow every clue!
Nicole:
He stole my hat! He stole my glove!
Chloe:
He stole my coat- the one I love!
Madeline:
Look out my friends! He'll be back for more!
Its shadow is coming through the door!
Call the captain, call the chief! we will catch that awful thief!
we will follow every clue until we capture you-know-who!
Danielle:
He stole my scarf! He stole my shoe!
Lulu:
He stole my earmuffs- they were new!
Riley:
Look out my friends! He'll be back for more!
it's shadow is coming thought the door!
Call the captain, call the chief! we will catch that awful thief!
we will follow every clue until we capture you-know-who!
All the girls:
It will steal our garden and our house!
Madeline shook her head at that statement in disbelief.
Riley:
He'll steal some cheese from Gus the mouse!
Madeline:
Look out my friends! He'll come back for more!
His shadow is coming through the door!
All the girls:
Call the captain! Call the chief! We will catch that awful thief!
We will follow every clue until we capture you-know-who!
"But Riley, what will you two do first?" asked Danielle, for she knew that every good detective must have a good plan.
"Hmm," said Riley, "Voila! I have it! Steven and Pepito liked our new mittens. Madeline nodded as she had the same thought as her sister. I wonder if..."
Riley and Madeline gasped at the thought and ran down the stairs and out the door and ran over to the house next door. Mystified, the rest of the girls followed them. Madeline, Riley wait for us the other 11 girls called.
Narrator: Because Steve and Pepito liked Riley and Madeline's mittens, both boys were now under suspicion.
"This is just the sort of bad joke Steve and Pepito might play on us," Madeline griped as she knocked on the boys' door.
The Ambassadress opened the door and looked surprised at the girls' upset faces. Hannah Little girls is everything alright?" The girls nodded.
"Oui we are fine. said Madeline, "May we speak with Steve and Pepito, sil vous plait?"
"Of course!" said the Ambassadress warmly, stepping aside.
Riley said, "You six come with me, to steven's room." whilst Madeline walked to Pepito's room with the other five girls.
Narrator: But Riley and Madeline were in for a surprise when they saw the strange hats Steven and Pepito had devised.
On the boys' heads were ridiculous little paper hats in place of their usual bad hats.
"I do not believe my eyes! What is that thing on your head!?" Madeline asked their friend. As she tried hard not to giggle.
"I am missing the bad hat. Someone has taken it!" Pepito explained glumly, taking off the paper hat and crumbling it up and he threw it into the garbage. "Steven lost his too!"
"Oh no!" the girls chorused.
"Someone had taken the bad hats? This thief has no taste at all!" Madeline exclaimed.
Meanwhile in Steven's room down the hall, Riley asked, "Steven, are you sure you and Pepito have looked everywhere?"
"It's not just the bad hats. We have lost coats, mittens, scarves and boots!" said Steven.
Riley's helpers gasped, prompting Steven to ask, "Have you been losing things too?"
Riley nodded and said, "Excuse moi, Steven, I hate to admit it, but Madeline and I suspected you and Pepito… never mind. I better go and tell Maddie the bad news!" All the girls said goodbye and hurried out of the boy's house. Outside Riley told her sister what Steven had said. "I know Pepito told me the same thing. Madeline said. The twins then decided right then and there that they would catch the thief.
Narrator: There wasn't any time to waste to catch the thief with bad taste.
"You care to join us, Steven?" Riley asked as her friend walked up to her
"Claro! Of course I do! I will see if Pepito wants to come too!" said Steven eagerly.
I see that Steven wants to help Madeline told her twin. "Oh, and Pepito is helping us too," she added.
Riley took her sister's hand and said let's go and ask around the neighborhood. and see if other things are missing too," she said.
"Let's go!" Madeline cheered.
Tell Miss Clavel that we will be back by dinnertime Madeline told the other 11 girls.
Narrator: And so their investigation started with a neighborhood interrogation.
Riley asked a woman in her garden, "Have you lost anything at all? Anything that is large or small?"
"My glove and my shawl," replied the woman.
Madeline nodded writing that down on her notepad.
Steven asked a man fixing a roof, "Bonjour Monsieur! Have you lost anything in the last few days?"
" Oui! My belt, my vest, and my best beret!" said the man.
Narrator: Things were missing from every block, from the horses' shoes to the milkman's socks! Madeline and Riley thought and thought about the thief. They had been wrong in their beliefs.
Madeline suddenly gasped.
"Madeline, what is wrong?" asked Pepito
"Oui, what is it, Maddie?" Riley inquired.
"Oh, Pepito- I have made a terrible mistake! Now I know what really happened!" cried Madeline as she began running back home.
"Come on, you two! We have to keep up!" Riley called to the boys as she followed Madeline.
Narrator ; Madeline rushed inside the old house and rang Danton 6-3.
"Detective Monroe, come quickly! Oui, oui!" she exclaimed.
Madeline What's wrong the detective asked from the other end of the phone.
Narrator : Madeline explained her miscalculation and need for a new explanation.
"So many burglaries can't be the work of one thief!" she told the detective when he arrived to the house.
"Oui, but many thieves, Detective Monroe! 10, 20, maybe even 40!" said Riley.
"Bien sûr, that explains it!" said Detective Monroe, "This is where the thief- or thieves- have struck."
Hmmm I have a map as I have been trying to find those thieves as well Detective Monroe said.
Narrator : He showed them a map filled with red dots. There were marks on buildings and marks on docks. It looked like the map had chicken pox! Detective Monroe was so very pleased, he made Riley, Steven, Madeline Pepito his deputies. And so, together they went around, following clues until the thieves were found.
Uh Maddie don't you think we should've told Miss Clavel about this? Riley asked her sister. "It'll be alright Riley as long as we are back before dinner time.
The small group of five searched high and low. They searched and searched even as the sun started to set.
"Hmm..." Riley murmured as shadows flew by them on the street.
"After them!" Madeline exclaimed, and they ran.
Narrator: They talked to people all over the city, from the Eiffel Tower to the streets less pretty. They came so close, but the thieves got away! They began to lose all hope that day. They went up and down and all around, but still the mystery did confound!
" How can these thieves get around so quickly ," grumbled Riley. "It's not like they have bikes or anything.
"Good thinking, Riley!" said Madeline rolling her eyes at her sister's statement.
Narrator: They had exhausted the sights; they walked around all day until it was dark, and then they reached a little park.
"Let's sit down and think," said Steven wearily. The group of five slumped down on the ground.
They thought and talked, but nothing made sense.
"This is dreadful. We have run out of clues!" Riley exclaimed.
Narrator: With no clues left, what could they do? Their search for the robbers was, alas, all through! But when things had reached their very worst, Madeline was the one who saw it first. The small redheaded girl was shocked at what she saw.
"Riley, Steven, Pepito, Detective Monroe- look!" she gasped.
"I cannot believe my eyes! It is the bad hats!" Pepito exclaimed.
"It is true! There are no others!" replied Steven.
"Oh, Detective Monroe, this is splendid!" Riley exclaimed happily.
"Oh, ho, ho, oui, oui!" said Detective Monroe giddily, "Perhaps we will catch one of these thieves!"
With that, the group of five all ran to the bench and gasped at the sight of two people. The two people (Who were only a little boy and girl,) Looked at the group with wide eyes.
"Who are you two, and why do you dare to wear Steven and Pepito's bad hats?" demanded Riley.
"Who are Pepito and Steven?" asked one of the thieves,
"No clue, sis," said the other, a boy named Jack.
"I am Steven, and this is my younger brother, Pepito, you bad bandito!" snapped Steven.
"Your life as a thief is now finito!" said Pepito. As he was about to grab the hat off Jacks head. Steven and Riley held him back though.
"Look we are not thieves!" Jack argued.
"Then why are you two wearing Steven and Pepito's hats?" Detective Monroe asked sternly.
"Are these the two boys' bad hats? We will gladly give them back!" Lily said, throwing Pepito's hat on his head. "Jack?"
"No way! I am keeping this bad hat! It suits me just fine!" Jack retorted. Riley and Madeline looked at the boys who's faces went red with anger.
"My hat or a fat lip and two black eyes. Now what will be, pal?" challenged Steven.
Jack looked scared. "Okay, okay! Here is your hat!" he said, throwing it at Steven.
Riley said Steven you know Better.
Steven blushed and said "I know but I've had this hat since I was little and it is my favorite.
"Who are you two, and where do you live?" asked Detective Monroe.
"Our home is this park, this bench, this limb," said Jack.
"Wherever we happen to be right now," added Lily.
"Where did you both get the bad hats?" asked Madeline.
"On the hats tree, of course, and we will find another! Come on Lily, let's go!" said Jack, and with that, both kids ran away so quickly that the group didn't even notice.
The group looked at each other confused. "The Hat Tree?" Madeline questioned. "I think they're crazy," Pepito said, shaking his head. Riley turned around about to ask the two children about this hat tree but seeing that the two children had run off,
"Wait, come back!" shouted Riley.
"We must follow them!" said Detective Monroe.
Narrator: The girl and boy were small, but they were faster than a fiddle. It was late and getting dark as they followed Jack and Lily deep into the park. They were just about to end their spree when they came upon a great big tree. The group stood with their mouths wide open. When they were finally able to speak again.
"Regardez, Pepito!" gasped Madeline.
"Regardez, Steven!" said Riley.
Narrator: On one branch were coats and mittens, and the little red head suddenly spotted a familiar sight dangling from the branch, right at the very end.
Madeline exclaimed "Riley, look! There are our new red and blue mittens." Madeline took her and Riley's mittens off the tree.
"And Chloe's hat and sock, and Miss Clavel's coat, Danielle's shoes and Lulu's earmuffs, and Nicole's glove. Oh! And hats, scarves, and tights, and there are capes, gloves, and sweaters!" gasped Riley. As she gathered her friends clothes they will be so happy to have this stuff back. Riley exclaimed. After gathering all of the missing clothes. The small group looked at the other clothing on the tree.
Narrator ; Some were old and some much better.
"Now this is a good hat!," said Lily, grabbing a nice, new hat from the tree and putting it on her head.
"Agreed, Sis." Jack said admiringly.
"But who could have brought all this clothing together?" Detective Monroe asked curiously.
"I do not know," said Madeline sadly.
"But if we wait, we will find out!" Riley suggested excitedly.
Both Steven and Pepito groaned "Do we have to? We are hungry and tired. However a stern look from the twins made the boys stop complaining.
Narrator: Soon, the fivesome was quite alone, and the autumn wind began to blow. The trees let out a groan, and they felt a fear they had never known. It was also getting very dark.
"I want to go home!" Pepito cried.
"Me too!" wailed Steven.
"There's nothing to be frightened about, boys, it's just a bit of lightning," answered Detective Monroe, jumping as lightning struck.
"Of course, we cannot leave, Pepito!" Madeline reminded her friend.
"Not until we've caught the forty thieves!" Riley said grimly.
Narrator ; The night grew long, and frightening; there was wind, hail, and so much lightning. But all of that could not compare to what flew through the air.
As the group waited Madeline suddenly heard a sound.
"Riley, Pepito, Steven, Detective Monroe, look!" Madeline cried, pointing.
"We must run for it, while we still can!" Pepito said, and he and Steven began to run.
But Madeline and Riley grabbed them. "Let us go, por favor! Listen!" they insisted.
Narrator ; Steven and Pepito listened, and they both let out a cry.
"Why, it is a bird!" exclaimed Pepito.
"The sly magpie!" added Steven.
Narrator ; They watched in awe as magpies dropped articles of clothing onto the branches of the trees: hats, shirts, and socks.
"My word, my word! The Forty Thieves were only birds!" cried Madeline and Riley.
A magpie landed on each girl's left hand, and another two landed on the boys' hats, all chattering loudly and fluttering their wings.
"You birds only wanted to help the needy!" Riley gasped in realization.
"You are really heroes!" Madeline exclaimed.
Narrator: They danced for the birds for nearly an hour before heading home in a pretty snow shower. Madeline and Riley looked at each other. "Uh I think we should be getting home. Madeline told her friends. The small group walked back to the old house. "Do you think Miss Clavel will be mad at us for being out so late?" Madeline asked. "I hope not," Riley said with a gulp. Suddenly the door to the old house opened, and Pepito and Steven's parents came out, as did Miss Clavel and the other girls.
Whilst the boys reunited with their relieved parents, Miss Clavel hurried out towards the twins. "Madeline, Riley, I was so worried I thought something bad had happened to you two. Let us come inside where it is warm!" she exclaimed, picking up both girls and hugging them tight. The twins hugged their teacher tightly. Both girls were relieved that their teacher was not mad with them.
Once inside the twins finally had their supper. Which they ate with glee. After they ate everyone brushed their teeth and before going to bed the twins gave their friends their missing clothing.
Narrator : the Next day' , the four young investigators had gathered everyone to explain the answer to the mystery.
"Dear Miss Clavel, there was no need for worry!" Madeline said. She and Riley dashed up some steps to speak to the people. "We have a message from the Forty Thieves!"
"We all have clothes in our closets we do not wear," said Riley, "Let us give them to people who need them!" Jack an Lily who had been hiding in the way back of the group. Looked at each other and smiled and then they ran off.
Narrator: So all over the neighborhood, in houses and in stores, people gathered up old clothes- their gifts for the poor. The 13 girls were shocked as the pile of clothes grew bigger and bigger.
That evening Madeline whistled, and the magpies swooped down. The birds picked up the clothing, and flew away.
Narrator : Then, the birds came back and took Madeline and Riley out for a special flight. To thank them for helping. They climbed and soared to new heights, and Madeline and Riley saw wonderful sights! At last, when it grew dark, Madeline and Riley were taken home and placed on the garden wall of the old house. Madeline giggled and did a handstand.
"Oh, Riley, Madeline, be careful!" Miss Clavel said, scooping the twins off the wall into a warm hug.
"Goodbye, dear magpies!" The girls chorused, waving to the birds who chattered back.
Narrator: The girls went home, and broke their bread…
"We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other!" the girls said as always.
Narrator: "And brushed their teeth, and went to bed."
"Sweet dreams! Sleep tight! I do not expect any more thieves tonight!" said Miss Clavel happily, and she closed the door.
"Now we can have a pillow fight!" Riley exclaimed, and the girls began laughing and throwing their pillows at each other.
Narrator: They ran back and forth upon the floor. And that's all there is. There isn't any more.