The Magical Fruit

by Jo Nesbo

  “The one who said he was Napoléon and saved the world from moon monsters?” Nilsen said, chuckling. “He’s not easily forgotten.”

  “I know,” the voice said. “But I just want to give you this supersecret tip that he’s Beckadona Hamarooney Sherl.”

  “The player who scored the goal against Chelchester in the World Cup finals and just disappeared?”

  “Yes. Unfortunately, he had more important things to do than hang out in England and revel in the glory, becoming rich and famous and running away from English girls who wanted to kiss him. But you might find it interesting to know that Nilly, aka Sherl, is going to be on display as a wax figure in Madame Tourette’s Wax Museum.”

  “This is totally unbelievable!” Nilsen said, thinking that there was something very familiar about that voice.

  “You could mention this on your stupid show, that that Nilly had the goods after all. Good night.”

  “I see. This wouldn’t happen to be Nilly I’m talking to, would it?”

  But the caller had already hung up.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

  1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

  www.SimonandSchuster.com

  First Aladdin hardcover edition October 2013

  Text copyright © 2012 by H. Aschehoug & Co. (W. Nygaard)

  English language translation copyright © 2013 by Tara Chace

  This work was originally published in Norway in 2012 as Doktor Proktor og det store gullrøveriet by H. Aschehoug & Co.

  Published by arrangement with Salomonsson Agency

  First US edition 2013

  Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Mike Lowery

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Aladdin is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and related logo is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Book design by Karin Paprocki

  The text of this book was set in Perpetua Regular.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Nesbø, Jo, 1960–

  [Doktor Proktor og det store gullrøveriet. English]

  The magical fruit / by Jo Nesbø ; illustrated by Mike Lowery ; translation by Tara Chace. —

  First Aladdin hardcover edition.

  p. cm. — (Doctor Proctor’s fart powder ; [4])

  Summary: When a Russian billionaire robs the Norwegian Gold Reserve and melts the last remaining gold bar into the Premier Soccer League trophy, it’s up to Doctor Proctor, Nilly, and Lisa to recapture it.

  [1. Robbers and outlaws—Fiction. 2. Soccer—Fiction. 3. Inventors—Fiction. 4. Adventure and adventurers—Fiction. 5. Flatulence—Fiction. 6. England—Fiction. 7. Humorous stories.]

  I. Lowery, Mike, 1980– illustrator. II. Chace, Tara. III. Title.

  PZ7.N43825Mag 2013

  [Fic]—dc23

  2013017537

  ISBN 978-1-4424-9342-1

  ISBN 978-1-4424-9344-5 (eBook)