Dodsworth in London (3 page)

"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.