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Little Stories Everywhere early and ad-free

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right now. Join Wondery Plus in

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the Wondery app or Wondery Kids

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Plus on Apple Podcasts. From

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Wondery, I'm Virginia Madsen and

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this is Little Stories

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Everywhere. Each episode

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will bring you stories for kids

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that spark the imagination, take

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you to other worlds and bring joy. This

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story is called Ant Prove,

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Super Sloot. It's

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1:51

you, baby. was

2:00

cold. Angeline had

2:03

just turned 11 the day before. She

2:06

had dark, curly hair and intense

2:08

thoughtful eyes. She

2:10

stood wrapped up tightly in her windbreaker

2:13

and jeans next to her nine-year-old

2:15

sister Emma, whose long black

2:17

hair whipped in the wind. Mom,

2:20

why do Emma and I have to spend the end of

2:22

the summer vacation here with

2:24

some boring old lady we don't

2:27

even know? Angeline, Dad

2:29

and I have an important archaeological

2:31

dig. We can't be looking out

2:33

for you and Emma. But

2:35

I promise, Aunt Pru

2:38

is never boring. Dad

2:43

called out from the car. Our

2:45

flight leaves in an hour. Mom

2:47

gave them each a kiss and left the sisters

2:49

on the porch. Angeline was

2:52

determined not to cry. So

2:55

instead, she made a decision.

2:59

Emma, let's make a pass. We

3:02

won't do anything Aunt Pru says the

3:04

whole time we're here. We'll be so

3:07

awful that she'll have to send us

3:09

to be with Mom and Dad. Do

3:12

you really think that's a good idea Angeline?

3:15

Angeline rang the doorbell smiling devilishly.

3:18

I think it's a great idea.

3:22

Just then, the door opened and

3:24

a small bright red chicken with

3:26

little yellow spots bolted past the

3:28

girls squawking loudly into the garden.

3:31

Grab that bird! And

3:33

there she was, Aunt

3:36

Pru. Angeline

3:39

had never seen anyone like her. She

3:42

wore sparkly rhinestone glasses,

3:44

a dark shawl, a

3:47

polka-dot dress and pointy red boots.

3:51

At the flash, Aunt Pru captured

3:53

her feathered friend and was

3:56

back on the doorstep petting the

3:58

chicken who gave a disgruntled You must

4:00

be Angeline and your

4:03

Emma. Oh, you got us mixed up. I'm

4:06

Emma and she's Angeline. Mildred

4:09

told me so and I didn't listen. I'm

4:12

sorry, Millie. You were right. As always. The

4:16

chicken squawked in approval. Your

4:19

chicken's name is Mildred? Of

4:22

course. What else would you name

4:24

a chicken? Now follow me

4:26

inside, girls. We have a chocolate cake

4:28

to make for dinner. Don't you mean dessert? I

4:32

do not. This is my house and we

4:34

are having cake for dinner. That

4:36

will be that. Aunt Prue turned

4:38

on her heel and marched Mildred back

4:41

into the house. Emma and Angeline exchanged

4:44

a look. This

4:46

was not what they were

4:48

expecting. I bet you can't

4:50

say no to cake. This is all just

4:52

a joke. I bet you can't say no

4:54

to cake. This is all

4:56

just to make us like her, but it won't work. After

5:02

dinner, Emma was so full

5:04

of chocolate cake she could barely breathe. But

5:07

Angeline hadn't touched hers. She

5:10

pushed it around with a fork and tried to look

5:12

disinterested. Well, girls, time

5:15

for dessert. Munch's ice cream

5:17

parlor has the best rocky road. Angeline

5:20

forced a frown. I'm

5:24

tired and I want to stay home. Then

5:27

I guess we'll have to solve the mystery

5:29

without you. Aunt

5:32

Prue grabbed her keys with a flourish

5:34

and flopped Mildred into a purse with

5:36

a squawk. Emma

5:39

couldn't contain herself. Angeline

5:41

did her best to keep her

5:43

excitement under wraps by counting kitchen

5:46

tiles. What mystery?

5:49

Aunt Prue's eyes sparkled as she told

5:51

them. The

5:55

biggest, grandest house in all

5:57

of Selena, Massachusetts for over 20 years.

6:00

200 years was owned by

6:02

two extravagant people, Mary

6:05

and Richard San Pietro. They

6:08

traveled the world doing what they loved, drinking

6:11

champagne and eating the finest

6:13

food. When they

6:15

died, they'd spent their entire

6:17

fortune. In their will, they

6:20

left their daughter Lita only

6:22

two things, a house

6:25

and a single diamond. Angeline

6:29

was on the edge of her seat, but trying

6:32

her best to look bored. A

6:34

diamond? Aunt Prue leaned

6:36

in close. You see, Lita's great

6:39

grandmother, Marguerite, was given the diamond over 150

6:41

years ago, as

6:44

an engagement present from a Danish

6:46

prince, Prince Claus. Bloring.

6:50

They got married so

6:53

what? Aunt Prue grinned,

6:56

but they didn't get married. Marguerite

6:59

left Prince Claus Johansen and

7:01

married a young man named

7:03

Raphael San Pietro instead. But

7:06

she kept the diamond, and

7:09

it's been in the family ever since. Well,

7:12

until last week. Last

7:15

week, said Emma, Lita

7:18

recently decided to turn the house into

7:20

a museum to honor her family. There

7:23

was a huge party planned to

7:25

celebrate the opening with the San

7:27

Pietro diamond on display. And

7:31

it was stolen. We have

7:33

to figure out who took it. Exactly.

7:36

Angeline, you're welcome to join us.

7:40

Angeline shrubbed. She

7:42

was still determined to have a bad time. No

7:45

mystery or cake or diamond could

7:47

change that. I

7:50

don't want to be alone in this creaky

7:52

old house, but I'm not

7:54

solving any mysteries. They

7:59

walked towards you. town with

8:01

Angeline dragging behind them kicking

8:03

pebbles. Then they

8:06

saw in the distance the

8:09

San Pietro house. It

8:13

sat on a big hill looming above the

8:15

sea. Someone lived

8:17

there. A shiver went

8:19

up Angeline's spine. A

8:21

few people still do. Shall

8:24

we look for clues? I don't think

8:26

the police looked in the right place. As

8:29

they got closer, they could see the

8:31

house was falling apart. The

8:33

roof was sliding. The

8:35

paint was peeling. And the

8:38

big menacing gargoyles were covered in

8:40

vines. Aunt Pru

8:42

didn't seem fazed. Put

8:45

on a fresh coat of bright pink

8:47

lipstick. Smet her lips together

8:49

and asked, hmm,

8:54

Emma, are you good at

8:56

climbing trees? But Angeline

8:59

answered. She's scared of

9:01

heights. I can do it so

9:03

that Emma doesn't have to. Oh,

9:06

that's very kind of you, Angeline. I

9:08

promise it will be no fun. In

9:12

a moment, Angeline was halfway up

9:14

a pine tree while Emma searched through

9:16

the flower bed. Angeline

9:18

called up from high up in the

9:20

branches. There's a piece of

9:23

torn clothing up here. Angeline

9:25

waved a small piece of cobalt

9:27

blue fabric like a tiny flag.

9:30

Well done, Angeline. Bring it

9:32

down, Emma. It will be

9:34

our scribe and write down our clues. And

9:38

there's a footprint on the windowsill all

9:40

the way up here, 20 feet off the

9:42

ground. Aunt Pru pulled

9:44

Mildred out of her purse to dig

9:46

through her bag. She

9:48

removed a hair dryer, three

9:50

pieces of bubble gum, a wooden

9:53

spoon, a live snail, and then

9:55

an old notebook. Only

9:57

bring the essentials. And

10:01

this is my clue notebook. I've

10:04

used it for years. I've solved

10:06

hundreds of mysteries in this town,

10:08

and now it's your turn." Emma

10:11

smiled wide. And

10:13

even Angeline couldn't hide her excitement.

10:16

They tucked the fabric into Aunt Pru's

10:18

bag and plopped Mildred right on top.

10:22

Emma whispered to Angeline, "'Seems

10:25

like you're having a little fun. Well,

10:28

I don't want your summer to be ruined." "'So,

10:31

I'll have some fun. For you. Thanks, Angeline.'"

10:37

As they made their way to

10:39

Munch's parlor, Aunt Pru explained,

10:42

"'If he goes, Mr. Munch knew the

10:44

fans. He might have an idea

10:47

of who the thief could be.' They

10:49

arrived at the shop, painted with

10:51

red and white peppermint stripes and

10:54

a counter covered in chocolates and lollipops

10:56

that stretched the whole length of the

10:58

store. "'Hello, Mr.

11:01

Munch. Three rocky roads,

11:03

please.' And a worm coned

11:05

for the lady. She gestured

11:07

to Mildred inside her purse, who made

11:09

a satisfied clock. Mr.

11:12

Munch was a tall man with a tiny

11:14

mustache. "'And who

11:16

are these young ladies? These are

11:18

my great-nieces. They're detectives, you know.

11:22

And Angeline is a super tree-climber.'

11:25

Angeline blushed. "'Were

11:27

you there the night the diamond was stolen?'

11:30

"'I was. I catered the party and cleaned

11:32

up after.' "'Do you know why someone might

11:34

want to steal it?' "'I've

11:37

got nothing against the family, but they

11:40

never paid my mother for the last year

11:42

she worked there. She

11:44

was loyal, though. I

11:46

wonder who else they didn't pay.' "'Emma

11:50

scribbled everything down as they walked

11:52

outside. It could be

11:54

Mr. Munch. He was cleaning up and

11:56

could have stashed the diamond away with

11:59

his kitchen support.' Hi. Maybe he

12:01

stole. It for his

12:03

mother Angelina. A fabulous

12:06

observations. But what

12:08

about the fabric in the tree? And

12:10

the footprints? Way high up Mister

12:12

Months didn't need to climb

12:14

a tree to get inside

12:16

inside his said ama. Ah,

12:20

Of very good question. Angeline

12:24

face dropped. Ama was

12:26

right what a south.

12:28

African country. And

12:30

this was. Back

12:35

at home, Angeline and Emma snuggled

12:37

into twin beds. And

12:39

prove came in to turn out the like

12:42

saying. Tomorrow. To. The

12:44

museum again. Super Sleuths. Good

12:47

night. Don't. Let the bedbugs

12:49

dance the poker in. Your dreams

12:51

and prove close the door.

12:54

Sea salt ears. Yeah.

12:57

Good. Weird. Said. Angeline.

13:02

The next morning. They. Went to visit

13:04

the museum and were greeted. By the tour

13:06

guide deacon. He. Ushered

13:08

them in with a toothy grin

13:11

and a French accent that sounded

13:13

suspiciously fake. But no

13:15

one dared comment on it.

13:17

The front hall, covered with

13:19

tapestries and marble columns echoed

13:21

with every footstep. Well

13:24

can be engineered to the said

13:26

beautiful house museum. Deacon

13:29

new everything about the house

13:31

and he showed them beautiful

13:33

artwork, sculptures, and even secret

13:35

doors that looked like bookshelves.

13:38

Dakin your wonderful story teller.

13:40

You must have been on

13:42

the stage in another life.

13:44

Ah, I wish to have

13:47

been an actor but the

13:49

closest I got the was

13:51

an acrobat that I had

13:53

a million jobs. I've been

13:55

a panther, an electrician, a

13:57

dog walker, And even. These.

14:01

Are the world's his? Age if

14:03

you block and the interrupted

14:06

where. Were you when the diamonds

14:08

asked happened? I live in the basement

14:10

so I went down. Right

14:12

after the party Annie lead

14:14

to secretary saw me both

14:16

the door. Want

14:18

any party guess to wander and I

14:20

discussed. And. Another.

14:24

Crew for the notebook. Again

14:29

and his hair and a bright

14:31

green dress rounded the corner and

14:33

almost collided with a group. Of

14:37

Visitors Welcome. Deacon,

14:40

Why aren't you wearing your

14:42

uniform? A little red

14:44

and costs. And. Get it

14:46

back in shipshape soon enough, madame be

14:48

a throw. The. Young

14:51

woman turned quickly. Hello

14:53

I'm lead us Mph room Are

14:55

you enjoying the museum? Were.

14:58

Investigating your diamond robbery.

15:00

Said. Angeline at are quite thorough.

15:02

Where were you after the party

15:05

miss? Be a true. I

15:07

went straight up to my room. And.

15:10

Can tell you that wherever she is. Annie

15:13

brings me my t every night. Leader

15:16

checked her watch. Any

15:18

were late. Leaders,

15:21

skittered at the front door,

15:23

and Annie, a slim woman

15:25

in a green dress and

15:27

gigantic classes. Hurried. After. But

15:30

n est her. Excuse

15:33

me. One

15:35

pristine before you leave. Any

15:38

turned like I do jumpy

15:41

terraces mouse M guess. After

15:44

the party did you see

15:46

didn't lock is door. Yes

15:49

and see didn't come out all night.

15:52

I. Sleep in the next room

15:54

and I'm a light sleeper.

15:57

recess and scuttled. After meeting. That

16:00

girl. Says odd

16:02

she started year. Before the

16:04

diamond was stolen. Call the in

16:07

sit there. And

16:09

this girl's everything down very odd

16:11

indeed. At

16:16

the red breakfast table the next

16:18

morning ama an aunt proved discuss

16:20

their notes over eggs and a

16:23

slump weren't and for Mildred of

16:25

course they had to cruise and

16:27

three suspects. Angeline

16:30

listen closely. Well.

16:32

I think it's Mr. Months or

16:35

any. They were the only ones

16:37

around the building when that time

16:39

and was stolen. This an he

16:41

could have stolen in before she

16:43

delivers. It's nice Months put a

16:46

stab at while cleaning up. Ama

16:49

scrunched her face mask and

16:51

thought. But

16:53

what about Deacon? He

16:56

was in his room

16:58

all night. Angeles' i

17:00

got wide berth. Curler

17:02

was Beacons uniform. Almost

17:06

slipped through a team of

17:08

acting. oh we don't know,

17:11

We never saw him in his life. And

17:14

to me and quickly dug through

17:16

can't post purse and pulled out

17:18

a piece of torn tap and

17:20

prove. Picked up the phone and

17:23

confirmed with leaders at Yes. The

17:25

museum tour guide uniform was cobalt

17:27

blue. Angeline

17:30

grabbed the phone from and prove

17:32

she asked leader and it didn't

17:34

leave today. He

17:36

is taking a train sister just for

17:39

the weekend. I sent a check his

17:41

room. I bet he took. Everything.

17:44

He has the diamond. The

17:48

police arrived just. in time to stop

17:51

the train the passengers watched leaning

17:53

their heads out of windows as

17:55

the police check deacons pockets and

17:57

quickly found a small box Inside

18:00

it was the San

18:03

Pietro Diamond. Without

18:06

a hint of a French accent, Deacon

18:08

screeched, That belongs to my

18:11

family. I am Prince Claude's

18:13

great-great grandson. The diamond is

18:15

rightfully ours. Lita

18:18

arrived just in time to hear the confession. She

18:21

couldn't believe her eyes as

18:23

Deacon was put into the back of a police

18:25

car. Deacon

18:28

retrieved the diamond and handed it to

18:30

Lita. I believe this

18:32

belongs to you. Lita

18:35

turned to Aunt Pru in shock. How

18:38

did you know? That

18:40

was all my great-nieces. Quite

18:43

good detectives. Angeline, would

18:45

you tell us how you figured it out? Based

18:49

on the clues, Deacon

18:51

used his skills as an acrobat to climb

18:53

out of his window, the

18:56

tree, and back into the museum.

18:59

Annie never heard him leave the room because he didn't

19:01

leave through the door, which is

19:04

why he left a footprint on the

19:06

window sill. He ripped

19:08

his jacket as he was climbing, which left

19:10

a little piece of it in the tree.

19:13

And Emma's amazing note-taking helped

19:15

us remember every detail. Being

19:18

a sleuth runs in our family, girls.

19:21

I heard a rare book was stolen from

19:23

a bookshop. Might

19:25

we give that case a whirl and then

19:28

ice cream? Mildred

19:30

peeped her head out of her bag

19:32

with an excited wack-ah! Angeline

19:36

and Emma nodded. This

19:38

wouldn't be such a bad summer after all.

19:48

From wondering, this is

19:50

Little Stories Everywhere. This

19:53

is Aunt Prune Super Sleuth, written

19:55

by Kate Villa. I'm

19:58

your host, Virginia Madsen. Brian

20:01

White is our associate producer, audio

20:03

assistant by Sergio Enriquez. This

20:07

episode is sound designed by Aaron

20:09

May. Our story editor is Matt

20:11

Wise. Our senior producer

20:13

is Sochi Dorsey. Executive

20:16

producers are Janine Cornello, Stephanie

20:18

Jenz, and Marcia Louie

20:21

for Wondering. Hi,

20:29

I'm Mindy Thomas, co-host of the number

20:31

one science podcast for kids and their

20:33

grown-ups, Wow in the World. Wondery

20:36

and Tinkercast are teaming up to bring

20:38

you a Summer of Wow. To

20:40

help celebrate the Summer of Wow, I'm

20:42

excited to share that I am

20:44

hosting a very special episode of

20:46

Who's Amazing Life. Each episode of

20:49

Who's Amazing Life brings a new

20:51

adventure where listeners of all ages

20:53

can immerse themselves in the life

20:55

of someone amazing and experience the

20:57

challenges and triumphs that they faced

20:59

on their journey before everyone on

21:02

the planet knew their name. Listen

21:04

closely for clues because we won't

21:06

reveal who the person is until

21:08

the very end of each episode.

21:11

This episode is the mathematician.

21:14

You are brilliant at math. The only

21:16

problem is other people don't see you

21:18

as a genius. They judge you for

21:21

how you look instead of what's in

21:23

your mind. Grown-ups, you can listen to

21:25

Who's Amazing Life on the Wondery app or

21:27

wherever you listen to podcasts.