Part Six: Failed Robberies, Duels, and Everything

Creak, creak. A lock on a museum case squeaked as Carmen Sandiego struggled
to get it open. She applied more force.

It worked. The lock opened. The master thief reached into the case and pulled
out a minature of William Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna.

"Carmen," Hannah Lulu entered the exhibit hall. "You told Harold and me to
steal the first publication of Hamlet in the South Wing. Isn't that play
supposed to be cursed?"

"You're thinking of Macbeth," Carmen said impatiently.

At Acme Headquarters, Valerie entered the control room. "Chief, I need a new
partner."

The Chief looked surprised. "Why? What happened to Nigel?"

"Hiding in the hospital closet, trying to escape Sara Bellum." Valerie
paused. "What's Carmen planning to steal from the museum anyway?"

"I don't know, but she's rounded up enough of her cronies to steal a lot."
The Chief thought a moment "I think Armando's without a partner. I'm sure you
two can work together. I'll C-5 you to his coordinates."

Back at the hospital, Nigel stayed in the closet. He had heard the Chief's
message and debated what to do. He decided. "C-5 me to Stratford upon Avon."
He threw open the closet door, dashed past Sara, and leaped into the
corridor.

In the North Wing of the Stratford museum, Stuffy and Tuffy Vandersneer were
stealing a manuscript of As You Like It. Stuffy opened the box Carmen had
given him and pulled out a large sheet cake with lit candles. He blew out all
the candles except one. "Hey! What's with the flaming pastry?" He snuffed out
the remaining candle by removing it and jamming it in the cake.

"That's one of Carmen's clues, dear," Tuffy informed. She patted the sword in
the sheath she wore. "We're supposed to grab the manuscript, leave the clue,
and go."

"Oh," Stuffy said. "I thought it was a birthday cake."

Outside the hall, Valerie and Armando were watching the two criminals.

"I'm so sorry, Armando," Valerie whispered.

"Love means never having to say you're sorry," Armando whispered back.

Across the museum, Anna Litical and Art Issan were breaking into an exhibit
in the East Wing.

Art removed a manuscript.

Anna read over his shoulder. "Oh, I love The Merchant of Venice! Portia is
brave, rich, and bored--"

Art elbowed her. "Anna, can you put that analysis on hold so we can
skiddadle?"

Meanwhile, Zack and Ivy were staking out another hall.

Sure enough, Carmen came in. "Have you ever considered Shakespearean acting?"

There was a loud crash.

Nigel ran in, followed by Sara.

Nigel dashed around Carmen, Zack, and Ivy and through the open side door.

"Vait for me, sweet sprrrocket!" Sara called. She bumped Carmen's hand. The
minature of Susanna flew through the air.

Ivy leaped up and caught the tiny portrait just before it hit the ground.

Zack shrugged. "I've heard of brides jilting grooms at the altar, but never
the guy running before the date's even started!"

Carmen blinked. Hadn't she seen Nigel and Sara dressed in eleventh-century
clothing?

In the North Wing, Tuffy and Stuffy were about to leave when Valerie and
Armando blocked their entrance.

Stuffy groaned. "Tuffy, what is the entry for this part?"

Tuffy unsheathed her sword. "I challenge them to a duel."

Valerie picked up a sword from a display. "I accept the challenge."

Tuffy snickered. "I will not be defeated by a lowly teenager. I'll have you
know I have been the Bulgarian champion for the past six years running. I
would have been in the Olympics, but the judges caught me cheating in the
trials."

Armando said nothing, only quietly picked up the cake box from the floor.

Nigel crashed into the West Wing, with Sara in hot pursuit.

Harold and Hannah glanced up.

Harold picked up the manuscript. "Just like Hamlet and Ophelia." He thought a
moment. "Only backwards."

In the central exhibit, Carmen faced her two adversaries. "I'd love to stay,
but I must get going." She threw an old velvet curtain over herself.

Ivy ran over. "She's not going to give us the slip this time." She grabbed
the curtain and lifted it. Carmen was gone.

Click. Meanwhile, Tuffy and Valerie were fighting their duel. Eventually,
Valerie got the upper hand.

"It's not fair!" Tuffy whined. "It's just not fair!" She began to cry.

Armando picked up the cake box, opened it, removed the cake and threw it in
Stuffy's face.

Stuffy screamed. He spat out a wax candle."That's it! I've had it! I hate to
be dramatic, but I draw the line at being in a food fight." He continued
fussing until Armando had handcuffed him.

Valerie handcuffed Tuffy. "Say, you better get a hankie for those tears. Your
eyes may also get a little puffy!"

"Help!" Nigel ran in. "The psycho! She's loose!"

"Think you can outrun her?" Armando asked.

"I don't know, but it's worth a shot." Nigel ran out.

Sara rushed in. "Vhere did my sweet sprrrocket go?"

Stuffy nodded his head. "He went that way. I think."

To be continued...