12-THE GOBLET OF THE SILVER RODENT

THE GOBLET OF THE SILVER RODENT The next day, we looked for the third clue: the Goblet of the Silver Rodent. Thea and I went back to the mouseum to examine it. But the display cabinet was empty, except for this note: The Goblet of the Silver Rodent ca 1000 B.C. On loan to the famouse film director Steven Spielmouse We returned to the office. Trap was busy playing video games and slurping a bowl of cheese soup. "Trap, it's still morning. What are you doing eating soup?" I asked.

Trap crumbled crackers into his bowl. "It's my after-breakfast snack," he said. Cracker crumbs tumbled all over my nice clean desk. "Would you mind eating somewhere else?" I asked, annoyed. Trap shrugged and turned off the game. As he stood up, he knocked over his bowl of BOILING-HOT soup. It spilled all over my desk! "SLIMY SWISS ROLLS! MY PAPERS!" I shrieked. Do you think Trap stopped to clean up the mess? Of course not. He went to get a fresh bowl. But Thea stopped him. "Trap, do you know the film director Steven Spielmouse?" she asked. "Of course I do," Trap answered. Then he frowned. "Although I strongly advise you not to mention my name. If he finds

out that we are related, deny everything!" I had no idea what Trap might have done to upset the great director. But we had to try to find the clue anyway. Thea and I rushed to the film studio. The film set was covered with sand and fake palm trees. We saw Steven Spielmouse squeaking orders into a bullhorn. "Who is the cheddarface who turned on the SNOW machine?" he yelled angrily. "Can't you see this movie takes place in a desert? A DESERT!" "What a loudmouse," I remarked to Thea. But my sister had spotted something. "I think I see the silver goblet," she whispered, pointing. To the side of the set was a small room with glass windows— the film

director's office. Inside we could see a mouse dressed like a Roman gladiator. The mouse was inspecting the goblet. Then he set it down and sneaked out of the office. How strange! I thought. Who else could be looking for the silver goblet? As quiet as churchmice, Thea and I sneaked in. Thea picked up the goblet. Then we heard an angry voice behind us. "Paws off that cup!" It was Steven Spielmouse! "Who are you, anyway?" the director demanded. "My name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton. This is my sister, Thea," I blurted out. Thea stepped on my tail, but she was too late. I had forgotten Trap's warning.

Spielmouse frowned. "Stilton? Stilton? Are you related to a mouse named Trap?" "Um, he's a distant relative," I stammered. "Very distant." "I've been trying to track down that rat for two years!" the director shrieked. "When I was filming Ship of Mice, he drove a speedboat into the ship right before I had to shoot the scene. The ship sank! You can't have a movie called Ship of Mice without a ship!" Spielmouse stomped around his office. "If I ever get my paws on Trap Stilton..." While the director fumed, Thea and I slowly backed out of the office. Then we scampered out of the studio as quickly as we could. "Don't worry, Gerry Berry," Thea said, giggling. "I saw a letter engraved on the cup. It's an H!"