8. High Above London

8 High Above London Lady Laura gasped. She held the ring in her fingers and gazed at it as light bounced all around. This ring flashed even more than the imitation ring that was still on her finger. Its red, white, and blue stones were as clear as water and as radiant as the sun. "One of the genuine crown jewels," said Mrs. Lambchop. "Part of England's history." She shook her head in wonder.

"It will be back where it belongs," said Mr. Lambchop. "Ready for the next coronation, whenever that is." Stanley took out his flashlight again. He was still thinking like a spy! "We should test it to be sure it's the real one." "How about I hold it, just for safekeeping?" said the guard. He held the ring up so the entire group could see Stanley cover it in ultraviolet light. This time there were no clouds in the stones. Stanley could see the beam of light pierce the gems and come out on the other side!

Detective Bates shook Stanley's hand. "Well done, Stonley, old chop!" Lady Laura smiled for the first time since Stanley had met her at Harrods. Her manners were still very formal, though. "I am quite grateful to

you, Stanley," she said. "Now everyone will know the truth." "You're welcome," Stanley said automatically. "You're welcome," Arthur added. "Now, can I get out of this costume? I don't love wearing a suit, but anything is better than wearing this apron!" No one had thanked Arthur, but Stanley would thank him later. He had thought that being a spy would be a job for only him, but it turned out he needed a whole team—Detective Bates and Lucy and especially his brother—to find the Windsor Ring. It was kind of like his flatness, Stanley thought. Being flat had helped him on his spy mission, but it was not the only tool he needed. It also helped to be famous. It also helped to be quick on his feet! Speaking of quick... Stanley raced back to the plate of desserts he had left behind. And it was still in the same place! And then, before the ball was over, he rushed back to the dance floor. No one could dance quite like a flat kid, after all! He flapped and rippled his body in time to the music until the last musicians

packed up to go home. The ball at Buckingham Palace would always have a bright place in Stanley's memory, shining like the Windsor Ring. The next morning, soon after the Lambchop family woke up, Mrs. Lambchop noticed something near the door of their hotel room. "What is this?" she asked. She took a thick white envelope off the floor. "Can I see?" Arthur asked, grabbing it out of her hand. "Oh, it's an invitation!" Stanley yanked it away from his brother and read it out loud:

Her Majesty the Queen requests the honour of your presence this morning at the Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace. The Changing of the Guard, it turned out, was a huge parade in front of Buckingham Palace. One group of the Queen's Guard marched in, with a band leading the way, and replaced the group that had been guarding the palace since the night before. There was a large crowd watching the ceremony. Stanley was not sure why they had needed an invitation. Stanley stood wedged between two visitors with cameras, straining to catch a glimpse of the one guard he knew. "I wonder if we'll see the guard from the ball," he mused.