Read Online Dodsworth in London by Tim Egan - Free Book Online

CHAPTER THREE
TOURING LONDON

    Another bus pulled up.
    The wrong duck walked up to the top of the bus.
    Dodsworth followed him.
    "This is the greatest," said Dodsworth.
    The duck smiled politely.

    "You're awfully quiet," said Dodsworth.
    "Is everything okay?"
    "Splendid," said the duck. "I don't believe we've met. I am the Royal Duck," he said. "The queen's duck." Dodsworth laughed.
    "You're ridiculous," he said.
    He
still
thought it was his duck.

    The bus drove around London.
    "Hey, look," said Dodsworth. "It's London Bridge."
    "Actually, that's Tower Bridge," said the duck. "London Bridge is just up the river a bit."
    Dodsworth looked at him.

    "How do you know that?" asked Dodsworth.
    "It's common knowledge," said the duck.
    Dodsworth just shook his head.

    A moment later, Dodsworth said, "Look, there's Big Ben. Now,
that's
a clock."
    "Indeed," said the duck, "although its proper name is the Clock Tower. Big Ben is the name of the giant bell inside."

    "What?!" said Dodsworth.
    "How in the world do you know that?"
    "I studied at Oxford," said the duck.
    Dodsworth looked confused.

    "Okay, what's going on here?" asked Dodsworth. "You never went to Oxford.
    How is your accent so perfect?
    Why aren't you being silly, like always?"

    "I'm afraid I don't understand," said the duck. "I am the Royal Duck. Her Majesty's Duck. I honestly have no idea who you are."
    And as the bus drove along the River Thames, Dodsworth finally realized that this was
not
his duck.

    Dodsworth went into a panic.
    "Where's my duck?!" he shouted.
    "I have a friend who looks exactly like you, except for the hat, and I've lost him! This can't be happening!"

    "Now, now," said the Royal Duck.
    "Stay calm. We'll find your friend. I'll have the bus turn around."

    The bus raced back to the station.
    The duck was not there.
    "What am I going to do?" said Dodsworth.
    He was very upset.
    "I'll ring Scotland Yard," said the duck.

    A moment later, a police car pulled up.
    "Okay," asked a detective, "what does the duck look like?"
    "Like him!" shouted Dodsworth.
    "He looks exactly like him!"

    Dodsworth was beside himself.
    "I don't even know where to start looking," he said.
    "We'll find him," said the Royal Duck.
    "Trust me."
    They all hopped in the car and started searching all over London.

    Down by the Parliament.
    Over in Kensington Gardens.
    Up by the Royal Academy.
    There was no sign of him anywhere.

    They looked for eight hours straight.
    The sun was setting.
    The duck was nowhere to be found.
    Dodsworth fought back tears.

    "I can't take this," he said.
    "What if he's hurt? What if he's scared?
    "What if I never find him?"
    He was a nervous wreck.

CHAPTER FOUR
BUCKINGHAM PALACE

    All this time, Dodsworth's duck was just fine.
    He was slowly making his way to Buckingham Palace.
    He saw a Shakespeare play in the park.
    He had crumpets and tea for lunch.
    He splashed in the fountain near Pershing Square.
    He was asked to leave Pershing Square.

    He finally made it to Buckingham Palace.
    The guards at the palace were very serious.
    The duck did a little dance to make them laugh. The guards opened the gates.

    Meanwhile, still searching, Dodsworth was sick with worry.
    "I can't believe this," he whispered.
    "I've lost my friend..."
    He dropped to the ground in grief.

    "There, there," said the Royal Duck.
    He thought for a moment.
    "Perhaps the queen can help," he said.
    "Driver, take us to the palace at once!"

    They raced to Buckingham Palace.
    The Royal Duck ran up to the gates.
    "Hold on there," said the guard.
    "But I am the Royal Duck," said the duck.
    "Nice try," said the guard.

    "The Royal Duck has been here for hours," said the guard. "But you do look exactly like him."
    "Wait a minute," said Dodsworth.
    "My duck!" he shouted.
    He burst through the gates.
    The Royal Duck followed him.

    Dodsworth ran into the Grand Ballroom.
    His duck was dancing on the piano.
    The queen was clapping along.
    "You're right," said the Royal Duck.
    "He does