Kidnappers Incorporated

Lord Ransom

Unbeknown to Clover and Daphne, they were about to get some company. Sam and Alex had just finished picking the cellar lock and were about to emerge into the manor hallway, when Sam urgently pulled Alex back into cover behind the cellar door.

"What is it, Sammy?" asked Alex.

"I just saw two guys in medieval suits of armour coming down the main stairway," explained Sam in a whisper as Alex carefully peeped through the door to see for herself what was happening.

"Hey, you don't think it's the kidnappers do you? Why would they go around dressed up all weird like that?" wondered Alex.

"I don't know, but if it is them, we are not going to let them get the better of us a third time," said Sam resolutely. "When I say 'go', we'll leap out and tackle them to the ground."

"Right behind you, Sam", nodded Alex who was just as keen to take down those two criminal butlers.

"Three... Two... One... GO!"

Sam yanked the cellar door open and the two spies leapt out, delivering a karate kick to each of the two unsuspecting knights who were knocked right onto the hard marble floor.

"Okay, you two clowns. Now what have you done with our friend?" demanded Alex fiercely.

"Oh, you mean the friend who you just attacked without warning? Rude much, don't you think?" grumbled one of the knights who raised her visor to reveal the infuriated expression on her face.

"Oopsie! Sorry, Clover," apologised Sam as she and an equally embarrassed Alex helped the two knights back to their feet.

"No big," sighed Clover before she smiled and pulled her friends into a big hug. "I'm just glad you guys are here."

"Ahem, so are you going to introduce us all now, sis, before they wallop us again?" muttered the other knight who lifted her own visor.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Sam and Alex, this is my sister Daphne. Daphne, these are my best friends, Sam and Alex."

Alex immediately dashed excitedly over to greet Clover's sister. "Hi there, great to finally meet you! I just love the stuff you've done for 'Fashion World'! I don't suppose I could get your autograph could I?"

"Alex! This is hardly the time and place!" chided Sam irritably.

"No, it's okay. Believe me, I'm used to it," assured Daphne with a smile. "Love your outfits by the way. Spy-chic is like so in! You guys have got to get me in touch with your designer."

"Well as it happens, she's standing right beside you now," grinned Sam.

Daphne looked at her sister in surprise. "Clove? You designed these way cool catsuits?"

Clover tried her best to look modest. "Oh, just something I quickly came up with when we first joined WOOHP. I mean, there was no way we were going to go around wearing way drab business suits all the time!"

"Ugh, that does sound really wishy-washy and dull!" agreed Daphne.

"Hang on, wait a second there. Clover, does this mean your sister now knows about the... you know, spy-thing?" asked Alex.

"Yeah, Jerry kinda gave the whole thing away," explained Clover sheepishly.

"Well, we'll worry about all that later," said Sam assertively. "Right now, we need to get your sister out of here and then nab the bad guys."

Suddenly, the door to the main study swung open and the girls found themselves facing a bald-headed man dressed in an expensive Victorian-style suit with a monocle in his left eye, an elegant goatee on his face and a glass of sherry in his right hand. The man regarded the girls with an expression of mock amusement.