3. Hanging in the Louvre

3 Hanging in the Louvre After breakfast it was time for Stanley to climb back into his painting. Agent Lunette repacked him in his crate, but at Aunt Simone's insistence, the top of the crate was only gently shut. This meant Stanley was able to raise the lid a tiny bit and peek out as Agent Lunette and the other officer carried him toward the Louvre.

They were walking by a giant modern glass pyramid in the courtyard of a very large, old, important-looking building. "The Louvre is one of the greatest art museums in the world," Agent Lunette said in a low voice. "More than eight million people from all over the globe visit each year."

They passed by a line of security guards and entered the building. "The thieves have targeted the finest museums in Paris. Centre Georges Pompidou. Musée d'Orsay. One after the other, their most famous paintings have been stolen in broad daylight, during museum hours." "But how?" Stanley whispered as they passed a statue of a sphinx the size of a lion. Now they were walking past a series of mummies. Stanley hadn't seen one of those since he'd been to Egypt.

"We do not know," Agent Lunette said. A statue of a woman with wings but no head towered over them. "They were swapped with fakes, without anyone noticing until it was too late." They walked through hall after hall lined with paintings in gold-colored frames and filled with glowing faces against dark backgrounds.

Finally Agent Lunette and the other officer set the crate down gently. "Because of the thefts, all museums in Paris are closing early. The Louvre will close at three o'clock this afternoon. You will guard the Mona Lisa until then." Agent Lunette carefully lifted Stanley's frame and peered into his eyes. "You are a spy here, Monsieur Lambchop," he whispered. "Do not give yourself away. Do not smile. Do not sneeze. Do not move a muscle. You are a great painting by a Renaissance master. Act like it." "Absolument!" said Stanley, pulling himself up straighter as he said his fourth French phrase. Agent Lunette hung him carefully on the wall and stepped back to assess the painting. Then he moved forward and straightened Stanley's frame. "Très bien," he said. "That means 'very good.'" He turned to walk away. "If by some chance you are stolen, do not panic," Agent Lunette murmured. "We will find you eventually."

Stanley's eyes widened. "What?" Agent Lunette looked at his watch. "The museum opens in three minutes and will remain open until three o'clock. After that, you will be able to stretch your legs before returning to your aunt's for dinner at seven. Bonne chance, Monsieur Lambchop." And then he translated: