Mrs Brown and Judy exchanged glances. The same thought was running through both their minds. They both said “Paddington!” and rushed after the detective. Mrs Brown clung to the detective’s coat and Judy clung to Mrs Brown’s as they forced their way through the crowd on the pavement. Just as they reached the window a tremendous cheer went up.
“I might have known,” said Mrs Brown.
“Paddington!” exclaimed Judy.
Paddington had just reached the top of his pyramid. At least, it had started off to be a pyramid, but it wasn’t really. It wasn’t any particular shape at all and it was very rickety. Having placed the last tin on the top Paddington was in trouble. He wanted to get down but he couldn’t. He reached out a paw and the mountain began to wobble. Paddington clung helplessly to the tins, swaying to and fro, watched by a fascinated audience. And then, without any warning, the whole lot collapsed again, only this time Paddington was on top and not underneath. A groan of disappointment went up from the crowd.
“Best thing I’ve seen in years,” said a man in the crowd to Mrs Brown. “Blessed if I know how they think these things up.”
“Will he do it again, Mummy?” asked a small boy.
“I don’t think so, dear,” said his mother. “I think he’s finished for the day.” She pointed to the window where the detective was removing a sorry-looking Paddington. Mrs Brown hurried back to the entrance followed by Judy.
Inside the shop the detective looked at Paddington and then at his notebook. “Blue duffle coat,” he said. “Green woollen beret!” He pulled the beret off. “Black ears! I know who you are,” he said grimly; “you’re Paddington!”
Paddington nearly fell backwards with astonishment.
“However did you know that?” he said.
“I’m a detective,” said the man. “It’s my job to know these things. We’re always on the look-out for criminals.”
“But I’m not a criminal,” said Paddington hotly. “I’m a bear! Besides, I was only tidying up the window…”
“Tidying up the window,” the detective spluttered. “I don’t know what Mr Perkins will have to say. He only dressed it this morning.”
Paddington looked round uneasily. He could see Mrs Brown and Judy hurrying towards him. In fact, there were several people coming his way, including an important-looking man in a black coat and striped trousers. They all reached him at the same time and all began talking together.
Paddington sat down on his case and watched them. There were times when it was much better to keep quiet, and this was one of them. In the end it was the important-looking man who won, because he had the loudest voice and kept on talking when everyone else had finished.
To Paddington’s surprise he reached down, took hold of his paw, and started to shake it so hard he thought it was going to drop off.
“Delighted to know you, bear,” he boomed. “Delighted to know you. And congratulations.”
“That’s all right,” said Paddington, doubtfully. He didn’t know why, but the man seemed very pleased.
The man turned to Mrs Brown. “You say his name’s Paddington?”
“That’s right,” said Mrs Brown. “And I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.”
“Harm?” The man looked at Mrs Brown in amazement. “Did you say harm? My dear lady, through the action of this bear we’ve had the biggest crowd in years. Our telephone hasn’t stopped ringing.” He waved towards the entrance to the store. “And still they come!”
He placed his hand on Paddington’s head. “Barkridges,” he said, “Barkridges is grateful!” He waved his other hand for silence. “We would like to show our gratitude. If there is anything… anything in the store you would like…？”
Paddington’s eyes gleamed. He knew just what he wanted. He’d seen it on their way up to the outfitting department. It had been standing all by itself on a counter in the food store. The biggest one he’d ever seen. Almost as big as himself.
“Please,” he said. “I’d like one of those jars of marmalade. One of the big ones.”
If the manager of Barkridges felt surprised he didn’t show it. He stood respectfully to one side, by the entrance to the lift.
“Marmalade it shall be,” he said, pressing the button.
“I think,” said Paddington, “if you don’t mind, I’d rather use the stairs.”