Prosper, they can't send you to the orphanage.
- They can't. You're a brother. We have to stick together.
Prosper, please don't leave me. Don't leave me.
Bo.
Prosper.
Have you got your things?
- We have to go fast. - I knew you wouldn't leave me with them.
Come on.
Jump.
Quick, Bo. Jump.
I pumped it up yesterday.
I knew it. I knew it! That wretched brother!
Come back here, you... kidnapper!
You'll be locked away for good this time!
Oh! Oh, my poor little baby!
Prop, where's this train going?
Hopefully south.
Hey, Bo, give us a hand.
Oh, push! Bo, push!
Are we nearly there?
Almost.
Look, Prop, gondolas.
What are you doin' opening the boxes? Put 'em back.
I didn't. This one was open already.
Put 'em back anyway. They don't belong to us.
Buongiorno. You'd appear to be looking for me.
"Victor Getz, investigations of all kinds." Follow me.
I came across these tortoises at the fish market.
Poor wrinkled things.
Freezing their little bottoms off amongst all that ice.
- Come on. We have to go. - What's the matter?
Just do as I say, all right?
Oi! Oi, what do you think-
Where do you think you're going? Won't have little thieves on my boat!
- Get off! Let go! - Give 'em here!
- Give it! - What have you stolen?
Come on, Bo. Come on.
Come on. Come on. Hurry up! Hurry up!
Disguise, madam. A necessity in my line of business, you understand?
So, what can I do for you?
Anything lost or stolen?
This is what we have lost.
Oh, children.
I've tracked down many things in my time-
suitcases, dogs, the occasional husband-
But you're the first clients who've ever mislaid their children...
- Mr. And Mrs. - - Hartlieb.
Mr. And Mrs. Maximilian Hartlieb.
And they are not our children.
Prosper and Boniface are my late sister's sons.
She raised the boys on her own.
Oh, Prosper and Boniface. What peculiarly charming names.
Yes, well, my late sister had a fondness...
for anything peculiar.
However, when she died, three months ago...
my husband and I applied for custody of Boniface.
Well, we could hardly be expected to take on his older brother as well.
I mean, any reasonable person could see that.
- Prosper kidnapped Bo a week ago- - Mm-hmm.
And brought him here to Venice.
And what makes you so sure that they came here...
- if you don't mind- - Their mother loved Venice.
She planned to move here with the boys...
filled their heads with all manner of hocus-pocus...
about the magical things that happen here.
I'm hungry.
It's the last one.
Have we got any more money?
Don't worry. I'll find us enough to eat.
I know, 'cause you're my big bro.
Okay.
Wait here, okay?
Where are you going?
Scusi.
- I was gonna put it back! - That's what they all say!
Come on!
Stop, thief!
Get back here!
I think we lost him.
I think we lost ourselves as well.
- Prop? - Hmm?
When you have no money, do you have to run away from everyone?
We're not running away anymore, Bo.
Mum wanted us to be here.
- This is where we live now. - Here?
No, silly. In Venice. There must be a reason why she loved it so much.
- What? - Th-The fish man looked at me.
You're tired. The shadows can play tricks on you in the night.
- Are you lost? - No.
You look lost to me.
Who are you? What do you want?
Questions better put by me to you.
Prosper. My little brother, Bo.
Have you lost your mummy and daddy?
- Yes, as a matter of fact. - Then I'll help you find them.
You can't. They're- They're not with us anymore.
Ah, orphans. And so young.
Now, tell me...
what did you steal?
Money, jewels? Are you lock-pickers?
Purse-pickers? Pocket-pickers?
We're not thieves.
Please just leave us alone. We have no money.
Now run along home, wherever that may be.
- This is where we live now. - Don't be ridiculous.
Do you know what happens here after dark?
Things little eyes should never, ever see.
- We're not scared. - Not scared?
Well, aren't you the little tiger?
We're not scared of here. We're not scared of you.
Good. Then follow me to safety.
Right this way.
Or would you rather sleep in the dark and damp doorways?
Did I mention the rats?
What have we got to lose, Prop?
Gentlemen, my humble abode...
the Stella...
our star lair.
Strictly no grown-ups allowed.
You're not a grown-up, are you? Only some of them are very small.
You wouldn't be trying to trick me on my own turf, would you?
I'm six and a quarter.
That makes you a V.I.P.
You give me the willies every time you're late.
- Have I ever let you down? - What are they doing here?
They need my help, just like you did, Riccio, dear boy.
Remember?
We've been stakin' out the Palazzo Pisani for days, like you told us.
- It's always crowded. Parties and things. - Then I'll fit in perfectly.
- Are you thieves or something? - Not just any thieves.
Scip's the Thief Lord, the greatest thief in Venice.
Aren't you scared of the police?
2:00. Typical. Steal a watch next time. We were gonna send out a search party.
This little fellow has a nasty cough. Do you have anything for it in your medicine cupboard?
- Who are they? - They're friends of mine.
They need to crash here. Enough said?
Here comes Matron with her magic potion.
It's all right. I won't bite. I'm Hornet.
This is the wardrobe.
- You're burning up. Does it hurt when you cough? - Help yourselves. Really.
Well, he won't get better in these sodden old rags.
We have to go back and pick up my haul. I left it somewhere near the Contarini.
- In the middle of the night? - What's it, past your beddy-byes, Mosca?
I don't think it'd be good for him, walking around in the night.
I don't recall saying anything about walking.
Whoa, Scip! How'd you steal this?
Nothing's safe from the Thief Lord.
Go faster, Scip! Faster!
- Hold on! - The best.
This is the police. Slow down your boat and stop.
Come on, Scip. Step on it.
- Step on it! - Quicker, Scip!
I repeat, this is the police.
- Slow down and stop the boat!
Quick, Scip. They're gettin' closer!
Faster! Faster!
- Scip, come on!
- Shouldn't we stop? - What, and ruin the fun?
- What do we do now? - Watch this.
Look out!
Oh, no!
Is it gold?
Gold, silver, glittering jewels, plucked from the grown-ups.
Put it down. They stole it.
Boy, one day, they're gonna catch you, Scip.
Take everything to Barbarossa, and try and get a decent price this time.
How? He just laughs at us. The fat pig.
- Prop can do it. He's great at selling things. - Hey.
When we sold my old toys at the secondhand shop...
they tried to give us peanuts, so he just went-
like a stone, so they gave us lots more money.
- Bo. - Okay. You try.
And if you manage to outfox the old scoundrel...
you and your brother can stay as long as you like.
Your big moment, Mr. Stoney Face.
What are you smiling at, hedgehog boy?
Go and wait in the office.
Don't touch anything, understood?
What a rude man.
I call him fat, oily slaphead slimeball.
All right, let the dog see the bone.
There are a couple of decent items here, so I'm going to offer...
a hundred, which is very generous.
Well, let's just say I'm in a generous mood today.
A thousand or no deal.
Have you lost your mind, boy?
I make you a generous offer- too generous-
and you insult me with fanciful nonsense.
Tell the Thief Lord to send the boat boy or the hornet girl next time...
if he wants to continue doing business with Ernesto Barbarossa.
I'm the Thief Lord's official negotiator now.
300 for the lot. Most of it's rubbish.
Eight.
Four.
- Seven. - 475.
687 and a half.
You're a clever lad...
so...
I'm going to give you...
500.
That's the last time I let you treat me like a child.
One more thing.
A client of mine is looking for someone who will-
Shall we say, procure a certain item for him?
If he's sick, why doesn't he go to the doctor?
He's looking for someone who'll steal something for him.
Is that clear enough for your mucky ears?
And tell the Thief Lord...
that there's big money in it for him.
Mmm? Mmm, mmm, mmm.
Stop it. It tickles.
Just a little more.
You need to stay in bed for a bit.
Where were you goin'? And what would you have done if Scipio hadn't picked you up?
I think we could've managed it.
Prop's very brave, and I'm good at cheering him up...
so we make a good team.
We all take care of each other here. All of us are orphans too.
I'm not an orphan! My dad went away in a ship, and he hasn't come back here...
but he thinks of me all the time.
- That's what he keeps telling us. - It's true!
One day, I'll sail all over the world, and I'll find him!
I believe you, Mosca.
Prosper, Scipio will never let anyone sell his loot ever again.
Boy, we never dare talk to Fatty Slaphead like that.
Yeah, well, those things are probably worth even more.
Prosper, come back!
Prosper, come back. I've got to get some of this.
Look at all this stuff. Let's celebrate, Prop.
We should get the money back to the others first.
Excuse me, son. Your name's Prosper, isn't it?
Whoo-hoo! Take that, furry face!
Hey, come back! What's the matter?
Victor?
Ciao, Victor.
You can't fool me with that mustache.
Oh, excuse me, Ida, but I'm on a case. I can't talk now.
Oh, hope I didn't ruin anything. Suits you though.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Why are you running?
- That man knew my name. - So what?
So what?
Okay. Cool it. So what if he knew your name?
- I think he's trying to get me. - I think you were trying to nick our money.
Yeah, and leave my brother behind?
All that cash- I thought you were trying to trick me.
Oh, man. Maybe you're right.
I know. This way.
- Who is he? - Some kind of private detective.
Victor the snooper- That's what they call him.
Hey! Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa.
Hey!
Here's to Prop.
Cheers.
From now on, our chief loot seller.
In fact, you've done so well, I think I'm gonna give myself a little break.
But you can't stop. Not now. Barbarossa's got a customer.
He's lookin' for a thief. Said there's big money in it.
And I'll help you, Scip. I'll come with you.
No, you won't. Don't be so stupid.
Scipio gave me the kittens, so I'm gonna help him with the stealing, and that's that.
I'll do it. Bigger money equals bigger plans.
- And bigger cakes to buy. - See?
Va bene.
My customer will meet the Thief Lord in the confessional...
at the back left of the Basilica San Marco.
Mmm. And the Conte...
likes to shroud himself in mystery.
- Is he a real conte? - Are you deaf? What did I just say?
As far as your stupid head is concerned, he is the Conte.
Now, is there anything more you need to know?
No need to fly off the handle.
- What time? - Tomorrow afternoon, 3:00 sharp.
And I reserve the right to fly off the handle whenever I feel like it. Thank you very much.
3:00, back left chapel...
basilica, confessional.
- Got it. Come on, Prop. - Hold on, hedgehog boy.
Now, you and your snotty little friend can tag along if you want...
but your master has to be there in person...
- Got it? - But the Thief Lord won't like that at all.
Won't he? Well, he'll have to live with it.
Otherwise he doesn't get the job.
Hey, Victor.
You know, I preferred you with a mustache.
Ida! What brings you here?
Oh, I'm just out and about with my camera.
Oh, am I, uh, interrupting important detective work again?
- Well, I am still on the case. - Oh, how exciting.
- What sort of case? - Well, I can tell you that it involves kids.
Well, I'm sure they're innocent.
No, no, no. This case isn't about guilt or innocence.
Look, if children are in trouble...
it's usually because they've been misled or used by adults.
You should lock up the parents.
Well, I'm sure I'll be running into you again, when you're up to no good.
Anyway, drop by and see my new house one of these days...
instead of loitering on San Marco all the time.
- Well, it's just that they say everyone crosses San- - Ciao!
Never mind.
Prosper, Mosca, you come inside with me, and the others wait here.
But I don't want to wait here.
Me neither! Why can't we all go?
Because Scipio said so, or is that not a good enough reason for you?
I don't like churches.
They give me the creeps.
Perhaps he's not here yet.
One should not wear a mask in church...
any more than a hat.
One should not plan a theft in a confessional either...
and that's what we're here for, right?
So, you are the Thief Lord.
Well, keep your mask if you must. I can still see that you are very young.
Yes, and you're very old.
- Does age matter in this transaction? - Not in the least.
So-
Signor Barbarossa has surely told you...
that I am looking for someone to retrieve something for me-
something for which I have searched for many long years.
What about the payment?
I see you are a businessman.
Your fee will be 50,000, payable upon delivery.
50,000?
Sounds like a fair price.
Come on, little boy. Look at me.
Look at the silly old fool who's playing scarecrow.
Come on.
Hornet, Riccio, look!
What?
Nothing.
- Buongiorno. - You will see that what you are to steal...
is of great value only to me.
It is made neither of gold...
nor of silver...
but of wood.
- When should we deliver it to you? - As soon as your skills permit.
I am an old man.
I have only one wish left in this world-
to hold in my hands that which you are to steal for me.
How do I know how to find you?
You will find everything you need in this confessional when I have left.
Send me word of your success, and you will receive...
a letter from me the very next day at Barbarossa's.
So, what's your name...
kind fellow, noble knight?
- Bo. What's yours? - Vict-
Victor?
I'm- I'm a victim of circumstances.
All these rotten pigeons.
A basket. What's inside?
Whatever it is, I think it's alive.
Don't open it. It could be a poisonous snake.
It's a homing pigeon.
Don't think it's poisonous.
Hey, you know, uh, I live in a hotel just near the Grand Canal.
- What about you? - In a cinema.
You live in a cinema?
What, so you can watch movies all day long?
- No, it's broken, but Mosca's trying to mend it. - Oh.
Yeah, what's it called?
Can't remember.
Wouldn't it be nice...
if you had a proper house to live in?
I mean, don't you have any relatives who could take care of you?
There's my Aunt Esther, but she's not nice, and she never smiles.
Uh-huh. You're telling me.
Where's Bo?
I've got to go. It was nice talking to you.
You take care of yourself, all right?
It's many times more magnificent than any photograph can portray.
Furthermore, this city is alive with tales of magic and enchantment.
... but paying close attention to the stories and details...
which make Venice so alluring to-
This Victor thingummy- What did he ask you?
He asked me my name.
Did you tell him?
What else did you tell him, Bo?
I'm not sure.
Did Aunt Esther send him?
- But he was friendly. - Bo, how many times do I have to tell you?
- Do not talk to strangers. - I know. I know.
- But he was funny. - What was he wearing?
Blue jacket and a red cap.
And his watch had a moon on it.
Scusi.
I wonder if you'll be so kind as to tell me the time.
- Yeah, quarter past 4:00. - Thank you.
That's a truly remarkable watch you have there.
Does it tell the time on the moon too?
Mmm. Perhaps you're a tourist. Where are you visiting from?
- I'm an Eskimo. Can't you tell? - Really? That is fascinating.
Uh, everything's shipshape and Bristol fashion with your false beard now.
Let me go! I don't want to go with you!
- Let me go! - Get off me! I'm not doing-
- In broad daylight! - Someone call the police!
I took his wallet, so you can find out some more about the snooper.
- Thank you. - Come on, Scip. What is it?
- Is that your uncle's? - Uh, some kind of wing.
Must be a lion's wing.
It's probably an angel's wing, made of wood, just like the Conte said.
50,000 for a wooden wing? We must be missing something.
Perhaps this'll explain it. "The wing in the photograph...
"is the counterpart to the wing I'm looking for.
"The pigeon's name is Sofia, and she's a friendly and dependable creature.
When you have the wing, set her free, and she will find me."
Sofia.
Sofia, do you like pussycats?
Stake out the house. Find out everything you can.
I'll meet you there Wednesday at 10:00.
I have to go now. I'll be out of the city again for a couple of days.
Scip, please, let us help you with this job.
I mean, not just the staking out, but the stealing.
Okay. Why not?
You're right. I might need my trusty cohorts for this assignment.
Buongiorno, Dottore. Victor Getz.
I, um-Yeah, I understand that you own a disused picture house- the Stella-
and as I'm writing an article on the history of Venetian cinema...
I was wondering if I could have your permission to look around it.
- Father, I think the cat's sick. - Scipio, can't you see I have a visitor?
How often do I have to tell you to knock?
I just thought-
I just thought we could, uh, see the vet.
I don't give a damn about your wretched cat!
It's sick because it's just had kittens. I'm not wasting my money on a vet.
Continue, um, Signor-
Getz.
As I was saying, the history of the Venetian cinema has many fascinating stories...
a lot of them involving the Stella.
The tenants couldn't pay their rent anymore.
Ah, excuse me, Mr. Getz.
I believe my distinguished guests from Rome have just arrived.
Yes, you have my permission. Scipio, will you find this gentleman the key to the Stella?
Good day, sir. Send me a copy of your article as soon as it is published.
My son here will find you the key.
Hey!
Where do you think you're going?
To warn your pickpocket girlfriend?
I spent five hours with the carabinieri because of her.
Hey! Get-
When's your film going to be finished?
Any day now, but we need to fix the projector to watch it.
What's it about?
Let me in!
- Okay, I'll go see who it is. - I'm coming with you.
Hey! You stay here.
- Scipio. - Who else did you think it was?
- You said you were going away. - Lock the door. Quick!
- You have to get out of here now. - Get a load of you!
No time to explain. The snooper's found out about this place.
- Get what you need, and let's go. - How did the snooper find out?
Where are we supposed to go?
We're staying right here.
So, hide-and-seek, is it?
You think just because I'm a grown-up I'm no good at this.
Well, sorry to disappoint you...
but I just happen to be a first-class seeker.
You can't hide forever, you know!
What are you gonna live on? Begging and petty thievery?
Hey, Victor.
Have you got a gun?
Yeah, of course. You want to see it?
I'm not scared. It's probably a fake one anyway.
Well, aren't you the smarty-pants?
Now!
Get him on the floor!
You! Ya brat!
- That'll teach you to cross swords with the Thief Lord.
- Ask him how he found us. - Why? He'll just tell us lies like all grown-ups do.
Just throw him in the canal then.
Your boss give you permission to do that?
- Bet he was trying to poison me with that rag. - Please calm down.
I'm sorry about the gag.
I have to ask you-What are you doing here? Go back to sleep.
What are you doing here? Are you going to throw him in the canal?
Bo, I'm serious! Go back to bed.
Please don't send me back to Esther.
Well, someone's got to look after you.
But Prosper already looks after me, and Hornet.
Yeah, well, I'm afraid they're not really old enough.
And the Thief Lord? He's nearly 16.
Oh, the Thief Lord.
I could tell you a thing or two about your Scipio.
The Thief Lord is none of your business.
Prop, why does he need that? We're the only ones who can hear him.
Thanks, little un.
Fear not.
I have no compunction about offering you my services 24-7.
As you know, my wife and I are separated...
but my son is nothing more than a minor nuisance.
I often wonder what all the fuss is about with children.
In a few days' time, my brother, who is a retired army captain...
will be moving in to assume responsibility for his education...
on a full-time basis.
Then, at least, we shall get some sense and discipline knocked into him.
So what do we do now? How do we get in?
Hey, look.
- That must be the housekeeper.
I'll go have a little chat with her.
Oh, watch out!
What the devil were you meaning running into me like that?
Are you a thieving little pickpocket or something?
No, I'm not. Sorry about your shopping.
I'm just looking for Dr. Spavento. He's my new dentist.
Is that his surgery?
What does he think he's doing?
- Let me help you with your shopping. - But-Well-
Where are you going? Well, what are you doing with my shopping?
- Is this your house? - Well, it's not mine, of course.
It's Signora Spavento's.
Wait for me!
Goodness, you may as well carry it into the house.
What about Scip? Shouldn't we have waited?
Nah, he probably got held up somewhere. Don't worry. He trusts us.
What are you kids doing? If you don't want to buy a paper, then get lost.
We're not annoying anyone.
You're annoying me and giving me heartburn and disturbing my valuable customers.
They're not disturbing me.
Hmm. Very well, signora. If you say so.
So, what are you all up to?
None of your business.
Charming.
Sorry, signora. He's just a bit upset.
Well, why don't you go and find an adventure?
We're not allowed to do anything without permission from my mother.
Oh, that's a shame.
I was always getting into trouble when I was your age.
But it was worth it. The excitement of the unknown.
That's what my mum used to say when she was alive.
You must miss her very much.
I do.
Where's Mosca? I told you not to come to the door.
Mosca's busy. He's fixing the projector with Victor.
He doing what?
I don't believe it! Is this your idea of keeping watch?
- Who said you could untie him? - Calm down, Riccio.
- He gave me his word of honor that he wouldn't run away. - Victor's our friend now.
Friend? Are you barmy, you silly baby?
I'm not a silly baby. And he is my friend, so there.
He's our prisoner, our enemy! Scip's gonna go ballistic when he finds out about this.
- Where is he anyway? - He didn't show up.
Oh, you don't say.
What's that supposed to mean? Spit it out, fat face!
Oh, aren't you the charming little rodent?
Well, I'm afraid you've all fallen under the spell of a liar.
Stop. Stop it. And you stop talking in riddles.
- We won't hold him back next time. - Oh, what a threat.
I could show you where to find the answer to these riddles...
but I don't suppose you'd believe me.
Good evening, signora.
- Do you happen to know a boy called Scipio? - What is this, some mischief?
We were supposed to meet him today.
Bo, Prosper, Hornet, Riccio and Mosca-
- That's us. We're his friends. - Va bene.
Wait, wait! Two of you is enough.
Look at this, Prop.
Prosper.
Hey, Scip!
What are you still doing here?
- Don't you have a tutorial this evening? - Not for an hour.
And who are these urchins?
They're my friends.
What did I tell you about mixing with the hoi polloi?
How are you going to become officer material...
if you insist on fraternizing with the unwashed?
Thank God your uncle will be here soon.
They're leaving anyway.
What that your dad? Have you got a mum as well?
Don't look at me like that.
I was going to tell you anyway.
You could tell everybody right now. The others are waiting outside.
I've got my lesson now.
But I can get away tonight.
As for the break-in, everything stays as planned, okay?
Don't make me laugh.
All that loot was taken from this house, wasn't it?
The Thief Lord is a little rich boy's game.
And we were your fools.
See?
- It wasn't our Scip. - Yes, it was.
- And his dad's a meanie. - His what?
- His dad. - What are you talking about?
Scip doesn't have a dad.
Why don't you go introduce yourself?
Scipio! Scipio, I know you're in there!
Come out now and tell me it's not true!
Now open the door! Open the door now!
What the devil's going on?
I don't know who you are or what business you have with my son here...
but if you know what's good for you, you'll stop this infernal racket...
and take yourself and your disgusting little friends away from here...
and never let me see you around this house again!
"Victor's word of honor-
"The Hartliebs will not hear a word from me...
unless I find out about a strange break-in."
We have to catch him again. And this time I swear he's going in the canal...
and Scipio can go with him for all I care.
And what does this mean? "Enjoy the show"?
I don't believe it!
He must've done it!
Whoo-hoo! Mosca Films presents...
- a film by Mosca in Scratch-Vision.
To the ends of the world.
Wow. Mosca's dad is waiting for him on an island.
- Dad!
Dad, I've missed you!
I miss you too, Son.
Yea! I'm so glad to see you!
- Yea! - Oh, that's cool.
Yea!
He fixed it. Even the curtain and the dimmer work.
See, I told you Victor's our friend now.
Okay. Your buddy fixed the projector. Whoop-de-do.
What about the deal with the Conte? We can't forget that just 'cause Vic the sneak says so.