Read Online Jacob Two-Two-'s First Spy Case by Mordecai Richler - Free Book Online Page A

Order.
    â€œâ€“ innocent,” said the Officer-in-Charge.
    â€œWhen my father comes home,” said a frightened Jacob Two-Two, “I’m going to tell him everything you said.”
    A sudden change came over Law, Order, and the Officer-in-Charge.
    â€œWhy, you pint-sized criminal,” said Law, turning pale, “are you …”
    â€œâ€“ threatening us?” asked Order, retreating a step.
    â€œHe sure is,” said the Officer-in-charge, “and that’s not very nice.”
    â€œIt’s horrid.”
    â€œShame on you.”
    â€œBully.”
    Emboldened, Jacob Two-Two pointed at the first car to turn the corner. “There comes my bad-tempered, mean, two-fisted father right now,” he said.
    â€œIt’s every man for himself,” said the Officer-in-Charge.
    And Law, Order, and the Officer-in-Charge raced for their car, stumbling, leading with the elbows,shoving, and pinching, each one trying to get into the driver’s seat.
    â€œIt’s my turn to drive,” said Law, kicking Order in the shin.
    â€œNo, it’s mine,” said Order, pulling Law’s cap down over his eyes.
    â€œForget it,” said the Officer-in-Charge, bopping both of them over the head with his nightstick. “I will be driving.”
    And Law, Order, and the Officer-in-Charge stumbled into their car and were about to drive off, when Jacob Two-Two rapped on the window.
    â€œWhat is it now?” asked the Officer-in-Charge, lowering his window.
    â€œAccording to every police TV show I’ve ever seen,” said Jacob Two-Two, “if an emergency call is made to the station, a record is made of the phone number the call came from.”
    â€œAre you trying to teach us,” asked Law.
    â€œâ€“ our own business?” said Order.
    â€œSmarty-pants,” said the Officer-in-Charge, and then the car roared off, brakes squealing.
    But they had only gone a couple of blocks when the Officer-in-Charge said, “Maybe we should look into it.”

    â€œTomorrow,” said Law, yawning.
    â€œOr the day after,” said Order, beginning to snore in the back seat.
    A brooding Jacob Two-Two was still outside, raking autumn leaves, the first to fall, when he looked up and saw a parachute descending onto the next-door lawn. His heart leaped. It was Mr. Dinglebat, wearing a general’s uniform. As soon as he had landed safely, Jacob Two-Two helped him gather in his chute. “Boy, am I ever glad to see you, Mr. Dinglebat!”
    â€œAnd me, you, dear boy, because we have more work to do.”
    â€œI’m in such bad trouble,” said Jacob Two-Two, and he told his friend about all the things that had happened to him since they had been to Mr. I.M. Greedyguts’ office together.
    â€œNot to worry,
amigo
, because we shall shortly proceed with the second step of our operation. But we will require back-up support. Helpers who are trustworthy.”

CHAPTER 20
    hat night poor Jacob Two-Two, his sleep troubled, dreamed that he was appearing in court before Mr. Justice Rough. His lawyer was Louis Loser, who was quite the scruffiest, skinniest, and most untidy man Jacob Two-Two had ever seen. He had tangled gray hair and weepy blue eyes. His shirt collar was frayed, and his tie soup-stained. His suit was rumpled. His shoes were scuffed, the laces broken.
    Louis Loser had defended Jacob Two-Two in front of Mr. Justice Rough once before, in an earlier dream,unsuccessfully, of course, enabling him to keep his alltime trial-losing streak intact.
    Mr. Justice Rough glared at Louis Loser. “How does your client plead, Loser, you nerd, you disgrace to your profession?”
    â€œInnocent,” said Loser in a tiny voice, “if you don’t mind?”
    â€œWhy should I mind? We’re here to see justice done,” said Mr. Justice Rough, winking at the jury, “so why don’t you make things easy for yourself, you deadbeat, and