6. Stanley Lambchop, Super Spy

6 Stanley Lambchop, Super Spy When they were out of sight, Stanley walked back up the hallway and into the ballroom. He thought hard about what to do next. One thing was clear. Stanley could not just walk up to Lady Laura and test her ring. She would suspect what he was up to. Maybe she

suspected already! Why else would she be talking to the guard about Stanley? Stanley Lambchop was not an expert spy, but he knew a few things. A spy was supposed to be prepared for anything. A spy was supposed to think on his feet. He needed another plan. And he needed a little help. Stanley did not want to ask his mother or father. What kind of spy relied on his parents? Detective Bates was still here somewhere, but Stanley did not want anyone to know he was working with Scotland Yard. Luckily, there was another person Stanley could count on. He had wanted to be a part of the mission from the very beginning! Stanley headed over to Arthur. Arthur was in the middle of a group of children, playing charades. "We are supposed to keep quiet," he told Stanley in a low voice. Lady Laura's niece added, "Children should be seen and not heard." Her auntie had probably taught her that rule, Stanley thought. Good manners were no fun!

He scanned the kids' corner of the ballroom. He saw pads of paper and crayons, games and toys, and that giant trunk of costumes. Stanley smiled. Sometimes a spy had to use his imagination. He took a step away and motioned for Arthur to follow. "How is it going?" Arthur asked. "Shhh," said Stanley. "I need some help." "Really?" Arthur's face lit up. "What can I do?" he asked. Stanley looked at the box of costumes. "How would you feel about dressing up?" he asked.

A little while later, Stanley lingered at the edge of the dance floor while Arthur made his way toward Lady Laura. Not that anyone would know it was Arthur. His suit was now hidden in the Buckingham Palace bathroom. And instead, Arthur was wearing the same outfit as the servers who were passing the trays. He was all in black, with an apron tied around his neck and waist. Anyone who looked carefully would notice that the pants were rolled up because they were much too long. Anyone who looked carefully would see that Arthur's apron was the wrong color, since it was really just a costume.

But no one was looking carefully. The guests were enjoying the ball! A good spy never broke his cover. So, while Arthur did his job—walking through the crowd, toward the ring—Stanley's job was to act like nothing had changed. He was just a famous flat

boy, here to mingle with royalty and enjoy the ball. When a well-known actress asked Stanley to dance, of course he said yes! "You were in my favorite movie," he told her as he twirled. "I am your biggest fan!"