“Isn’t it exciting that your new pen is missing?” said Hari.

“Not at all,” said Mohan coldly. “My parents will be most displeased that I’ve lost it.”

“It’s been stolen, not lost. We have a mystery to solve,” said Hari eagerly. “Jagdish heads my list of probable pen pilferers.”

“Just because he once broke your pencil?” said Mohan, shocked. “Anyway, you surely don’t believe that any of our classmates is capable of theft.”

“They are all suspects,” said Hari. “Now, did anyone admire your pen when you displayed it this morning?”
“You did,” snapped Mohan.

“Apart from me, of course,” said Hari. “Wasn’t Prakash examining it closely?”

Mohan shook his head. “He lost interest when he saw that the pen was made in India.”

“He might just have pretended indifference,” said Hari “As for Naresh, he’s been acting strange all day.”

Mohan smiled. “That’s because he’s terrified that Mrs. Shastri will notice he has copied Sohrab’s homework.”

“That leaves - - -Sohrab!” Hari pounced on a bespectacled boy, writing in a corner. “How can you use stolen property so openly? Return the pen at once.”

“But this is mine,” protested Sohrab.

Hari grabbed the pen and handed it to Mohan. “Case closed,” he announced.”

“Don’t be an ass, Hari,” said Mohan, giving the pen back to Sohrab. “My pen is gold and green, not gold and blue.”

“Sorry, Sohrab,” said Hari. “Even the best detectives make mistakes.”

“This is not crime fiction, Hari,” said Mohan wearily. “It’s my fault. I should have locked my desk. I deserve to lose my pen.”

“It was stolen,” insisted Hari, “and since the culprit is usually the least likely person, Mrs. Shastri is the thief.”

“Quite right!” said the teacher, coming up quietly. As Hari turned red, she added, “I did take Mohan’s pen, but only for safekeeping. Put it away carefully, Mohan, before you miss it a second time, and Hari turns Holmes once again.”