The school was buzzing with excitement as everyone gathered around the empty display case. The golden trophy, the pride of the school, had mysteriously disappeared. Young detective Max was on the case, ready to solve this puzzling mystery.

Max's first stop was the custodian's closet. He found a wet mop, a bucket of water, and a fresh set of footprints. The footprints were small, definitely not the custodian's.

Next, Max decided to question the school's mascot, a friendly dog named Scruffy. Scruffy seemed nervous and kept glancing towards the school's art room.

In the art room, Max found a trail of paint droplets leading towards a locker. He also found a riddle written on a piece of paper, "What has keys but can't open locks?"

Max thought hard about the riddle. Then it struck him - a piano! He ran to the music room, where he found another clue - a piece of gold leaf, just like the one on the trophy.

Max decided to speak with the music teacher, Mrs. Melody. She mentioned hearing a strange noise the previous night but didn't think much of it.

Max returned to the locker with the paint trail. Inside, he found a small, green paint-stained handkerchief. The handkerchief had the initials 'A.D.' embroidered on it.

Max remembered his classmate, Alice Davis, who always carried a similar handkerchief. He found Alice in the school library, her face turning pale as he approached.

Alice confessed that she took the trophy as a prank and was too scared to return it. She told Max that the trophy was hidden in the old treehouse behind the school.

Max found the trophy in the treehouse, just as Alice had said. He returned it to the display case, to the cheers of his schoolmates. The mystery of the missing trophy was finally solved!

Alice apologized for her prank, and the school forgave her. Max was hailed as a hero, and everyone looked forward to his next adventure. After all, a young detective's work is never done!