The Thief Lord

“Victor looked through the balustrade at the canal below, and at the house, whose stony feet were washed by the water day in, day out. He had lived in Venice for more than fifteen years and he still didn’t know all the city’s nooks and crannies—but then again no one did. The job wouldn’t be easy, particularly if the boys didn’t want to be found. There were so many hiding places, and so many narrow alleys with names no one could remember—some of them with no names at all. Boarded-up churches, deserted houses...the whole city was one huge invitation to play hide-and-seek. Well, I’ve always liked playing hide-and-seek, thought Victor, and so far I’ve found everyone I’ve ever looked for.”

This quote sets up Venice as a setting and a character. Its complicated alleys and canals provide a hideout for the boys and make them feel safe. The passage also introduces Victor’s childlike character by establishing that he likes to play hide-and-seek. This foreshadows that he will get along with the children; he understands children and doesn’t belittle them like the Hartliebs.

“Scipio, the Thief Lord. He liked to act grown-up, although he was not much older than Prosper, and a good bit smaller than Mosca—even in his high-heeled boots. These were much too big for him, but he always kept them well polished—they were black leather, as black as the strange long coat that reached down to his knees. He never went anywhere without them.”

Scipio’s outfit as Thief Lord makes him seem like an adult. This introduces the theme of Coming of Age Versus Wanting to Grow Up and foreshadows the choice Scipio will make on the merry-go-round.

“‘Well, I don’t only read comics,’ said Hornet, putting her arm around Riccio’s shoulder, ‘and I’ve never heard or sugar tongs. And even if I had, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to get all stuck-up about it!’

Scipio cleared his throat, avoiding Hornet’s look. Finally he said more gently, ‘I didn’t mean it, Riccio. You can get through life perfectly well without knowing what sugar tongs are.’”

Scipio mocks Riccio’s ignorance of sugar tongs, foreshadowing Scipio’s secret wealth. The exchange also illustrates the group dynamics: Scipio thinks he’s smarter than everyone, but because he lives apart from the group, the others have a bond that he doesn’t share.