A very tall teacher

Every October, Kenwood International School sent its oldest treasure to the National Museum for one week: a silver cross set with blue sapphires, a gift to the school a hundred years ago. This year, the job of carrying it there fell to Mr Brown.

Mr Brown was the school chaplain, and he also ran the library. He was a short, round, unassuming man who never seemed to want attention. His glasses were always slipping, his grey hair was always dishevelled, and he lost his umbrella at least once a week.

Hana Lee, in Year 11, read the news every morning. On Friday she saw a story about Duval, a jewel thief who had once sent flowers to the police before each crime. These days he was less flamboyant. He travelled quietly, under the guise of a doctor, a pilot or even a priest. But one thing no disguise could hide: he was nearly two metres tall.

That afternoon, a new history teacher walked into Hana's class. He had a kind smile and a neat beard, and he had to bend his head to get through the door.

Hana had an inkling, nothing more, that the man was an impostor. She went to warn Mr Brown, but the library was locked.

On Saturday morning, the guard told her that Mr Brown had left early with a parcel under his arm. The tall new teacher had kindly offered to go with him.