1 Chapter 1: The Missing Pencil Case

"Riiiiiiiiiing!"

The ringing sound of the bell filled the entire classroom. Most of the people packed their school bags immediately and left, humming happily.

John and Sam were still in the classroom. They were doing their homework and revising for the coming Maths test.

Suddenly, Mary, who sat at the back of John, cried "Hey!" and John turned his head.

"What happened?" asked John. "My pencil case is missing!" replied Mary, who seemed to be quite sad.

"Was it there in the last lesson?" John asked. "Yes," replied Mary. "I last saw it when the teacher was talking about question 8 of the exam."

"Hmm..." said John. "Did you notice anyone suspicious?" "Not really," said Mary.

"Who sits near you?" asked John. "Tommy sits on my left," said Mary. "and Peter on my right. Daisy sits in front of me, and Cherry sits at the back."

"I remember you put your pencil case on the right side of your desk," said Sam suddenly, who sat near Mary as well. "Is it possible that Peter stole it?"

"I don't think so..." replied Mary. "I was chatting with him at that time."

"YOU WERE CHATTING WITH HIM???" said Sam. "The teacher told you not to last time!"

"Umm..." Mary was embarrassed.

"Never mind," said John. "Hmm... I think Tommy and Daisy are the most suspicious. When you were chatting with Peter, Cherry was blocked by you, so maybe Tommy or Daisy steal it. Let's talk to them tomorrow."