âEnglandâ appeared on the map.
From inside the country, a red light began to glow. Jack pulled his Book Bag out from under his bed and checked his Watch Phone for the code of the day. After receiving it, he punched the wordâQ-U-E-E-Nâinto the bagâs lock. Almost instantly, it opened, revealing what was tucked inside.
In addition to the usual gadgets, there was the Encryption Notebook, the Ear Amp, and the Tornado. The GPF had just added the Heli-Spacer, a device that enabled you to fly using your hands to control your direction. Although Jack hadnât needed it yet, he was hoping heâd get a chance to use it on this mission.
Jack closed his Book Bag and ran over to the map. As the light from inside the country grew to fill his room, he smiled and yelled, âOff to England!â
With those words, the red light burst, swallowing him into the Magic Map.
Chapter 3:
The Tower of Infamy
As soon as Jack arrived, he was aware of something sinister above him. He quickly hit the ground, rolled over twice, and got himself out of harmâs way. Looking up, Jack noticed a row of iron spikes hanging inside a rounded arch.
âDonât worry,â said a male voice from behind him. âThe only way that portcullis comes down is if I let it down.â Jack knew that the word portcullis meant a gate or grating that slid up and down.
Jack whipped round. Standing nearbywas a man dressed in a long blue jacket with a red crown and two lettersâ E and R âembroidered on its chest. He also had a red and gold badge attached to his arm. Because of the way he was dressed, Jack knew not only what the man was but also where he was. The man was a Yeoman Warder, a legendary protector of the Tower of London.
âYou must be Jack,â he said. âThe GPF said theyâd be sending you. My name is Tommy,â he added. âIâm one of the Yeoman Warders.â
Jack took a good look at Tommyâthe GPF trained him to look at details. He was middle-aged, of average build, and had grey hairs sprouting within his brown beard.
âNice to meet you,â said Jack, excited to be speaking to a real Yeoman Warder. He was fascinated by the history of the Tower of London and had been there several times with his mum and dad. He knew that Yeoman Warders were sometimes called Beefeaters because in the old days they were probably paid their wages in beef.
Jack looked past Tommy to the cobblestone street ahead. Because heâd been here before, he knew that the Towerof London was a popular tourist attraction. Hundreds of tourists usually filled the streets. Today, however, there was no one around.
âWhatâs wrong?â asked Jack, figuring something bad must have happened if there werenât any visitors.
âWell,â said Tommy, taking off his hat and scratching his bald head. âWe have a slight problem.â Before Jack could respond, he added, âSomeone has stolen the Crown Jewels. And between you and meââhe leaned towards Jackââthe Queenâs not pleased.â
Chapter 4:
The Caper
âWhat?â said Jack, who was completely shocked. âI canât believe someoneâs stolen the Crown Jewels!â
âNeither can I,â said Tommy, his face looking serious.
âHave you contacted Scotland Yard or MI5?â asked Jack, referring to the countryâs finest law-enforcement agencies.
âNot yet,â he said. âThe Queenâs given the Warders four hours to locate the crooks before she notifies them herself.â
âHow could this have happened?â asked Jack.
âI donât know,â said Tommy. âItâs very embarrassing. The Jewel House is locked up tighter than you would believe. We have some pretty hi-tech security equipment in there,â he added. âThe jewels were there one second and gone the next. Weâve even looked at the footage from the security
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