Squeak! Squawk! The mystery of Professor Doctor Gutman’s little black bag under the table was soon solved. It wasn’t a doctor’s bag but a clarinet case. The case and the clarinet inside had belonged to the professor’s daughter, Sophie Harriet Gutman. Now it belonged to Francine Babette Katzenback, who had just completed a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle” for Fleabrain. “Of course, I’ll improve with practice,” she said. Leaping onto the arm of her wheelchair, Fleabrain clapped several claws in appreciation of her enthusiasm, if not her musical prowess. “Professor Doctor Gutman’s daughter died in Europe during the war,” Franny continued, peering at Fleabrain through Sparky’s Finest. “That’s why his eyes are often sad. But he wants the clarinet to be played again, so he’s giving me free music lessons.” Fleabrain already knew that, of course. The whole street did, too. Squeaks and squawks tooted from Franny’s window even when it was closed, sounding less like music than cries for help.
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