Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case · Solutions are at the back of the book. eISBN :...
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Transcript of Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case · Solutions are at the back of the book. eISBN :...
TableofContentsTitlePage
CopyrightPage
Dedication
TheCaseoftheStolenMoney
TheCaseoftheTalkingHouse
TheCaseoftheTwo-Timers
TheCaseoftheFalseTeeth
TheCaseoftheSkinDiver
TheCaseoftheBarefootThieves
TheCaseoftheDog-PaddleDerby
TheCaseoftheBrokenGlobe
TheCaseofthePetSkunk
TheCaseoftheSeven-FootDriver
Whowouldkillaskunk?CorbyBriggssteppedintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.“Whatdoyouthinkofskunks?”heasked.
“I’vegotnothingagainst them,”answeredEncyclopedia,whofelt itwas important toletpeopleknowhowhestoodonissues.“Theyleavemealone.Ileavethemalone.”
“Wouldyoumindifyourneighborkeptaskunkasapet?”askedCorby.
“Idon’tknow…”admittedEncyclopedia.“Livingnearskunksissomethingelse.”
“Youcansaythatagain,”agreedSally.
Corby took a quarter from his pocket. He laid it on the gasoline can besideEncyclopedia.
“IwantyoutofindoutwhokilledmypetskunkButtercupthismorning,”hesaid.
ReadallthebooksintheEncyclopediaBrownserieslNo.1EncyclopediaBrownBoyDetective
No.2EncyclopediaBrownandtheCaseoftheSecretPitch
No.3EncyclopediaBrownFindstheClues
No.4EncyclopediaBrownGetsHisMan
No.5EncyclopediaBrownSolvesThemAll
No.6EncyclopediaBrownKeepsthePeace
No.7EncyclopediaBrownSavestheDay
No.8EncyclopediaBrownTracksThemDown
No.9EncyclopediaBrownShowstheWay
No.10EncyclopediaBrownTakestheCase
No.11EncyclopediaBrownLendsaHand
No.12EncyclopediaBrownandtheCaseoftheDeadEagles
No.13EncyclopediaBrownandtheCaseoftheMidnightVisitor
PUFFINBOOKS
PublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinYoungReadersGroup,345HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,U.S.A.
PenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4P2Y3(adivisionoFPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)
PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2RORL,EnglandPenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),250CamberwellRoad,Camberwell,Victoria3124,Australia
(adivisionofPearsonAustraliaGroupPtyLtd)PenguinBooksIndiaPvtLtd,11CommunityCentre,
PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi-110017,IndiaPenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,NorthShore0632,NewZealand
(adivisionofPearsonNewZealandLtd)PenguinBooks(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,24SturdeeAvenue,
Rosebank,Johannesburg2196,SouthAfrica
RegisteredOffices:PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2RORL,EnglandFirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericabyDuttonChildren’sBooks,
adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,1973PublishedbyPuffinBooks,adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,2008
Copyright©DonaldJ.Sobol,1973(MemberoftheAuthorsLeagueofAmerica,Inc.)
Illustrationscopyright©ThomasNelsonInc.,1973Allrightsreserved
THELIBRARYOFCONGRESSHASCATALOGEDTHEDUTTONCHILDREN’SBOOKSEDITIONASFOLLOWS:
Sobol,DonaldJ.EncyclopediaBrowntakesthecase.
(HisEncyclopediaBrownbookno.10)Summary:Idaville’ssecretweaponagainstlaw-breakers,ten-year-oldEncyclopediaBrown
assiststhepoliceforcewithteninsolublecases.Solutionsareatthebackofthebook.
eISBN:978-1-101-04239-7
[1.Detectivestories]I.Shortall,LeonardW.,illus.II.Title.PZ7.S68524Et[Fic]73-6443
http://us.penguingroup.com
For
MarilynandMurrayWinston
TheCaseoftheStolenMoneyPoliceofficersacrossAmericawereaskingthesamequestion.
WhydideveryonewhobrokethelawinIdavillegetcaught?
Idavillelookedlikemanyseasidetownsitssize.Ithadtwodelicatessens,threemovietheaters,andfourbanks.Ithadchurches,asynagogue,andlovelywhitebeaches.AndithadacertainredbrickhouseonRoverAvenue.
In the house lived Idaville’s secret weapon against lawbreakers—ten-year-oldEncyclopediaBrown.
Mr.BrownwaschiefoftheIdavillepoliceforce.Hewasproudofhismen.Buthewasnottooproudtogetthemhelp.
WheneverChiefBrowncameupagainstacasethatnooneontheforcecouldsolve,heknewwhattodo.Hewenthomeandatedinner.
Beforethemealwasover,Encyclopediahadsolvedthecaseforhim.
ChiefBrownwanted to tell theworld about his only child-to announceover satellitetelevision,“Mysonisthegreatestdetectivewhoevershotawaterpistol!”,
Butwhatgoodwoulditdo?WhowouldbelievethatthemastermindbehindIdaville’sspotlesspolicerecordwasonlyafifth-grader?
Encyclopedianeverletslipawordaboutthehelphegavehisfather.Hedidn’twanttoseemdifferentfromotherboyshisage.
Buttherewasnothinghecoulddoabouthisnickname.
Onlyhisparentsandteacherscalledhimbyhisrealname,Leroy.EveryoneelsecalledhimEncyclopedia.
An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from A to Z—just likeEncyclopedia’shead.HehadreadmorebooksthananyoneinIdaville,andheneverforgotwhathe read.Hispals swore that ifhewent to sleepbefore thinkingoutaproblem,hestuckabookmarkinhismouth.
Not all his father’s most difficult cases happened in Idaville. Friday evening, forinstance,thedinnertableconversationturnedtoamysteryinanothertown.
“BillCarleton,theHillsGrovechiefofpolice,telephonedmethismorning,”saidChiefBrown.“Hehasarobberyonhishandsthat’sgothimworried.”
“Isn’tHillsGroveupinCanada,dear?”askedMrs.Brown.
“It’s in northern Canada,” answered Chief Brown. “Even during the summer thetemperaturesometimesdropsbelowfreezing.”
“The Idaville police department is certainly famous,” said Mrs. Brown proudly.“ImagineacallforhelpfromCanada!”
“Whatwasstolen,Dad?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Tenthousanddollars,”saidChiefBrown.“ThemoneywastakenthreedaysagofromthesafeinthehomeofMr.andMrs.ArthurRichter.”
ChiefBrownputdownhissoupspoon.
“IhaveallthefactsfromChiefCarleton,”hesaid.“ButI’mafraidIstillcan’thelphimfindthethief.”
“TellLeroy,”urgedMrs.Brown.“He’sneverfailedyouyet.”
ChiefBrowngrinnedathisson.“Areyouready?”heasked,takinganotebookfromhisbreastpocket.Hereadwhathehadwrittendown.
“LastFridayMr.andMrs.Richter,whohavelivedinHillsGrovethreeyears,flewtoDetroitfortheweekend.Beforeleaving,theygaveakeytotheiremptyhousetoafriend,SidneyAukland,incaseofanemergency.OnSaturday,Auklandenteredthehouse.”
Hehadjuststeppedthroughthefrontdoorwhenheheardanoiseinthestudy.
“Wasitanemergency?”askedMrs.Brown.
“No,” replied Chief Brown. “The weather had turned cold. It had dropped below
freezing.Auklandsaidhewantedtobesuretherewasenoughheatinthehouse.”
ChiefBrownreadagainfromhisnotebook.
“Aukland said he entered the house Saturday morning at ten o’clock. He had juststeppedthroughthefrontdoorwhenheheardanoiseinthestudy.
“Hecalledout, ‘Who’s there?’andopened thestudydoor.Twomenwereat thesafe.Theyattackedhim.Hesayshedidn’thaveachanceoncetheyknockedoffhiseyeglasses.Withoutthem,hecan’tseesixinchesinfrontofhimself.
“Thetwomentiedhimup,hesays.Itwasn’tuntilanhourlaterthatheworkedhimselffreeandcalledthepolice.”
“DidMr.Auklandgetalookatthetwomenwhilehestillworehiseyeglasses?”askedMrs.Brown.
“Yes,”repliedChiefBrown.“Hesaysthatifheseesthemagain,he’llrecognizethem.”
“Then what is the mystery?” exclaimed Mrs. Brown. “Why did Chief Carletontelephoneyouforhelp,dear?”
“He suspectsAukland,” saidChiefBrown. “He thinksAukland stole themoney andmadeupthepartaboutthetwomen.Buthecan’tproveAuklandislying.”
Mrs.BrownglancedatEncyclopedia.Asyet theboydetectivehadnotaskedhisonequestion-thequestionthatalwaysenabledhimtobreakacase.
Encyclopedia had finished his soup.Hewas sittingwith his eyes closed. He alwaysclosedhiseyeswhenhedidhishardestthinking.
Suddenlyhiseyesopened.
“Whatwasthetemperatureinthehouse,Dad?”heasked.
ChiefBrownlookedathisnotebook.
“Auklandsaysthatthehousewascomfortablywarmwhenheenteredit.Afterfindinghiseyeglassesandcallingthepolice,hecheckedthereading.Itwasseventydegrees.”
“Leroy…”murmuredMrs.Brown.Disappointmentwasinhervoice.
ShewassoproudwhenEncyclopediasolvedamysteryforhisfatherbeforesheservedthemaincourse.Butsometimesshehad towaituntildessert.This looked likeadessertcase.
“Whatisimportantaboutheat?”sheasked.
“Notanyheat,Mom,”saidEncyclopedia.“Theheatinthehouse.”
“Idon’tfollowyou,son,”saidChiefBrown.
“The house was too hot for Mr. Aukland to have seen two men robbing the safe,”answeredEncyclopedia.“Hemadethemup.”
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage87forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheStolenMoney.)
TheCaseoftheTalkingHouseEncyclopediahelpedhisfathersolvemysteriesthroughouttheyear.Inthesummer,he
helpedtheneighborhoodchildrenaswell.
Whenschoolletout,heopenedhisowndetectiveagencyinthegarage.Everymorninghehungouthissign.
HisfirstcustomerMondayafternoonwasScoopMcGinnis.
Scoopwasfive.Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite.Butwiththehelpofhisoldersister,heputoutatwo-pageweeklynewspaper,TheCricket.
TheCricketwasbykids, forkids,andaboutkids. Itstoodforgoodcitizenship,zoos,toys,andbetterhotdogs.Itwasagainstbadcandyandpeoplewhodidn’tlikeTheCricket.
WhenhecametoseeEncyclopedia,Scoopwassuckinghisforefinger.
RightawayEncyclopediaknewsomethingwaswrong.Scoopusuallysuckedhisthumb.
“YouknowtheoldWebsterhouseonthebeach?”askedScoop.
Encyclopediaknewit.Noonehad lived there foryearsandyears.Thewindowglasshadfallenout.Sixinchesofsandcoveredthefloors.
“The house is so old it’s dangerous,” saidEncyclopedia. “The city plans to knock itdownnextweek.”
“Thathousewasmad,”saidScoop.“Itbitedme.”
“Youmeanitbityou,”correctedEncyclopedia.Thenhecaughthimself.“Housesdon’tbite!”
“Lookatmyfinger,”saidScoop.
Encyclopedialooked.“You’vegotasplinter,”hesaid.
Scoopfrowned.“Ifthathousedidn’tbiteme,thenmaybeitdidn’ttalktome.”
“Keepcalm,”Encyclopediatoldhimself.“Iwasoncefiveyearsoldmyself.”
ToScoophesaid,“Wouldyoumindstartingatthebeginning,please?”
“Thismorningafterbreakfast,IinterviewedthathouseforTheCricket,”saidScoop.“Iwantedtoknowhowitfeltaboutbeingknockeddown.”
“That’swhenitbityou?”
“That’swhen it talked tome,” saidScoop. “It said it takes a lot ofmoney to save ahouse.Ittoldmetogohomeandbringallmymoney.Idid—adollarandfiftycents.”
“Itwasn’tenough,”guessedEncyclopedia.
“Howdidyouknow?”saidScoop.“BecauseIdidn’tbringmore,thehousegotmadandbitme—Ithought.Idroppedthemoneyandran.”
“Wereyoualoneinthehouse?”inquiredEncyclopedia.
Scoopshookhishead.“AsIwasrunningout,Isawabigkidinthenextroomtryingtohide.IthinkitwasBugsMeany.”
“Bugs!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.“Imighthaveknownhewasmixedupinthis!”
BugsMeanywastheleaderoftheTigers,agangoftougholderboys.Encyclopediawasoftencalledupontostoptheirdishonestdoings.
Only lastweek he had put a halt to theTigers’ “Giant Summer Pet Sale.”Bugs haddippedsevensparrowsinperoxideandtriedtosellthemascanaries.
“Canyougetbackmymoney?”askedScoop.“I’llhavetopayyoulater.”
“Don’tworryaboutit,”saidEncyclopedia.
HetookoutScoop’ssplinter,andthetwoboyssetofffortheoldbeachhouse.
Bugslayontheporch.Hewasscratchinghisdandruffandpickinghisteeth.
“Bugsmusthave seenyou runaway,”Encyclopedia toldScoop.“Heknewyouwereheadingtoseeme.He’sprobablywaitingforus-withanalibi!”
Encyclopediawas right. Bugs lay on the porch. Hewas scratching his dandruff andpickinghisteeth.Whenhesawtheboydetective,hesatupquickly.
“Scram,oryourfacewillneedhelp,”hesnarled.
Encyclopediawas used to Bugs’swarmwelcomes.He nodded andwent insidewithScoop.Bugsfollowedthem.
Scoopstoppedamongthemanyfootprintsinthedeepsandthatcoveredtheliving-roomfloor.
“Istartedtoputthedollarandahalfonthatshelf,”hesaid.“Thenthesplinterbitme.Igotscared.Idroppedthemoneyandran.”
Encyclopediastudiedthelargecracksinthewalls.“Bugscouldhavestoodinthenextroom,watchingandlistening,”hesaid.
“What’swithyoutwocrazycats?”demandedBugs.“Icamehereforsomewood.I’maddingapoolroomtotheTigers’clubhouse.”
“Youmademethinkthehousewastalking,”saidScoop.“Youtookmymoney.”
“I didn’t take anything except a nap,” saidBugs. “Thewood in this dumpwouldn’tmakeagoodslopbucket.”
Hebeganwalkingslowlyaroundtheroom.
“Your money is still here if you really dropped it,” he declared. “You shouldn’t goaroundaccusingpeopleofstealing.Therearelawsagainstthatsortofthing.”
Suddenlyhegaveacryandpointed.
Inthesandonthefloorlayahalfdollar.Underitwasadollarbill.
“G-gosh,Bugs,”stammeredScoop.“Ithoughttheworstofyou.I’msorry.”
“Don’tbe,”saidEncyclopedia.“Ifyouhadn’trunoutoftheroomandseenBugs,he’dhavekeptyourmoney!”
WHATMADEENCYCLOPEDIASOCERTAIN?
(Turntopage88forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheTalkingHouse.)
TheCaseoftheTwo-TimersIfBugsMeanyhadagoalinlife,itwastogetevenwithEncyclopedia.
Bugshatedbeingoutsmartedall the time.Helongedtosocktheboydetectiveonthesideofhisfacesohardthathecouldlookdownhisbackwithoutturninghishead.
ButBugs never threw the punch.Whenever he felt like it, he remembered a pair oflightning-fastfists.
ThefistsbelongedtoSallyKimball,Encyclopedia’spartner.Sallywastheprettiestgirlinthefifthgradeaswellasthebestathlete.Andshehaddonewhatnoboyundertwelvehaddreamedpossible.
Shehadout-punchedBugsMeany.
Every time theyhadcometoblows,Bugshadendedon theground,mumblingaboutfallingrocks.
BecauseofSally,BugswasafraidtousemuscleonEncyclopedia.However,heneverstoppedplanninghisdayofrevenge.
“Bugshatesyouasmuchashehatesme,”EncyclopediawarnedSally.“Hewon’teverforgiveyouforshowinghimup.”
“Iknow,”saidSally.“He’smorelikeamagicianthanaTiger.Hecanturnanythingintotrouble.”
“Trouble,”thoughtEncyclopedia,“maybewhereweareheading.”
Thedetectiveswerewalking indowntownIdaville.Halfanhourearlier,LeftyDobbshadtelephonedthem.Leftyhadsaidtomeethiminfrontofthecityhallrightaway.
“IwonderwhyLeftydidn’ttellyouwhatthisisallabout,”remarkedSally.
“Perhapshecouldn’t talk freelyover the telephone,” repliedEncyclopedia.“Anyway,we’llsoonfindbut.Thereheis.”
Leftywasstandingoutsidethecityhall.Hesawthetwodetectives,buthedidn’twave.Instead,hetookoffhiswristwatch.
“He’sactingawfullynervous,”whisperedSallyastheydrewcloser.“Idon’ttrusthim.”
Withhisrighthand,Leftyheldhiswatchbythemetalstrap.Betweenhisleftforefingerandthumbheturnedthetinyknobthatsetthetime.
Ashedid,hechecked thebigclockatop thecityhall. It showed fiveminutesbeforethree.
“Areyouokay?”Encyclopediaaskedhim.
“Sssh!”hissedLefty.“Keepyourvoicedown.”
“What’sthebigsecret?”askedSally.
“Showmeyourpalm,Encyclopedia,”saidLefty.
Encyclopediaheldouthishand,palmupward.
Leftylaidtwenty-fivecentsonit.“Iwanttohireyou,”hesaid.
“There!Yousawityourself,officer!”
Foramomenthestaredupattheclockatopthecityhallwithathoughtfulexpression.
Thenhefishedintohispocketandtookoutafive-dollarbill.HegaveittoEncyclopedia.
“Thiscaseisextratough,”hewhispered.“SoI’llpaymore.”
“There!Yousawityourself,officer!”
ItwasBugsMeany.He came charging out of a nearby dress shop.Behind himwasOfficerHall.
“Itoldyouwe’dcatchthemintheact,thelittlecrooks!”criedBugs.
“You’d better have an explanation,” Officer Hall said to the detectives. “I saweverythingthroughthesebinocularsBugslentme.”
“They’vebeenworkingthisracketforweeks,”saidBugs.
“Whatracket?”gaspedSally,bewildered.
“Bugstoldmethatyouwaituntilsomechildstopstosethiswatchbythetimeonthecity-hall clock,” saidOfficerHall. “Then you approach him.You tell him the price forsettinghiswatchistwenty-fivecents.”
“Encyclopediatoldmeheownedtheclock,”putinLefty.
Bugshadbeenshakinghisheadsadlyashelistened.Nowheclaspedhishandsoverhischestandputonarighteousface.
“Somanykidscametomewithcomplaints,”hesaid.“Iknewitwasmydutyasagoodcitizentogotothepolice.Ofcourse,Ihateddoingit.I’msosensitive,sohigh-strung.”
“Yououghttobestrunghigher,”snappedSally.“Thisisnothingbutaframe-up!”
“It’sserious,”correctedOfficerHall.“Isawmoneychangehands.”
“IpaidEncyclopediaaquarterforsettingmywatch,”saidLefty.“Thenhesoldmethecollection rights for five dollars. He said I’d make ten dollars a week easy collectingtwenty-fivecentsfromeverywatchsetter.”
“You poor innocent slob,” said Bugs. “Encyclopedia doesn’t own the clock. You’vebeencheated.”
“I—I can’t believe it!” exclaimedLefty. “EncyclopediaBrown a common thief!Canyougetbackmymoney,Bugs?”
“Thelawtakescareofhiskind,”saidBugs,pattingOfficerHallontheshoulder.“Don’tworry.Yourmoneywillbereturned.”
Sallywasbesideherselfwith rage. “Youdon’t reallybelieve them?”sheprotested toOfficerHall. “They’re lying!This isnothingbut aplot togetus in trouble.Didn’tyouhearwhatwassaid?”
“I couldn’t hear from inside the dress shop,” admitted the policeman. “But I saweverythingclearlywhileBugsexplainedwhatwasgoingon.”
“I’msurehedidaverygoodjob,”saidEncyclopedia,“exceptfor…”
FORWHAT?
(Turntopage89forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheTwo-Timers.)
TheCaseoftheFalseTeethSunday afternoon, Encyclopedia and Sally went to the beach. They took a football.
Theyshouldhavetakenakite.
Astrongwindwassweepinginfromtheocean.Itblewtheirtossesintopalmtreesandsunbathers.
“I’mtiredofdirtylooks,”saidSally.“Let’sbuildsomething.”
“Wecanbuildanatomsmasher,”saidEncyclopedia.
Theyputasidethefootballandduginthesand.Theatomsmasherwasnearlyfinishedwhenitwassmashed.FreddyZachariaswalkedrightthroughit.
Freddyputdownthejarhewascarrying.Insideit
wereseveralsetsoffalseteeth.
Freddyworkedhardallsummercombingthebeaches.HecollectedtherarebottlesandshellswhichhisfathersoldathisgiftshoponOcean-frontDrive.
“I’msorry,”Freddyapologized.“Iwasn’tlookingwhereIwasgoing.”
“Nevermind,”saidEncyclopedia.“We’vehadourfun.You’reluckywedidn’tbuildahole.”
“SoamI,”saidFreddy.“IfI’dfallenin,Imighthavebittenmyselfallover.”
“Whatdidyousay?”askedEncyclopedia.
Freddyputdownthejarhewascarrying.Insideitwereseveralsetsoffalseteeth.
“DuringtheweekIhelpmyfather,”hesaid.“OnSundays,I’minbusinessformyself.”
Encyclopediastaredatthejar.HetriednottoimagineFreddystealinguponsunbathersandslippingouttheirfalseteethwhiletheyslept.
“Ifindthemintheshallows,”saidFreddy.“Sundayisalwaysthebestday.FalseteeththatgetlostoffKeySouthtakeaweektobecarriednorthtoIdaville.”
Key South was a big fishing and vacation area, and cruise ships put in there onSundays. Freddy explained that lots of false teeth were lost overboard by tourists andfishermen.Otherswerejarredloosefromswimmers’mouthsbywaves.
“TheIdavilleNewsprintsadsforlostteeth,”hesaid.“Usually,thereisareward.”
Heshowedthedetectivestwoadshehadclippedfromthenewspaper.Eachpromisedarewardforthereturnofteethlostoverthepastweekend.
“ImeasuretheteethIfindandwritetothepeoplewhoplacetheads,”saidFreddy.“SofarthissummerI’vereturnedeightsetsofteeth.Therewardmoneypaidformynewten-speedbicycle.”
“Hoppingchoppers!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.“Outofthemouthsofgrown-ups!”
“Don’tjuststandthere,Freddy,”urgedSally.“Beonyourway.Keeplooking!”
“Allright,”saidFreddy.“I’mreallysorryaboutsteppingonyoursandthing.”
Hemovedoffdownthebeach,eyesonthesurfline.
Thedetectivestookaswim.Thewindwasstillblowinginfromtheoceanasstronglyaseverwhentheyquitthewater.Theydecidedtobuildabiggeratomsmasher.
TheyhadjustbegunwhenFreddycamerunningup.
“Somekidsstolemyteeth!”hecried.
“Who?”askedEncyclopedia.
“TwoTigers,DukeKellyandRockyGraham,”repliedFreddy.Hewasabouttobreakintotears.
“Thebiggoons,”saidSally,clenchingherfists.“WhenIcatchthem,they’llneedfalse
teeththemselves!”
“Maybewecangetbackyourteeth,Freddy,”saidEncyclopediacalmly.“Let’sgotalkwithDukeandRocky.”
Astheyheadeddownthebeach,Freddyrelatedwhathadhappened.
DukeKellyhadsnatchedthejarashehadwalkedpast.WhenthetwoTigerssawwhatwasinside,theylaughedandtookouttheteeth.DukewentintoaSpanishdance,stompingandwhirlingandclickingteethlikecastanets.
“Dukegotcareless,”saidFreddy.“Ashewasclickingandstompingandwhirling,heswunghishandstooclosetohishead.Hebithimselfintherightear.”
“Serveshimright!”saidSally.
“Itmadehimawfulsoreatme,”saidFreddy.“Hekickedoverthejarandtheadsflewout.RockycaughtthemandreadthemtoDuke.Theytoldmetobeatit.”
“They’rehopingtogettherewardsthemselves!”exclaimedSally.“We’dbetterhurry.”
“There’sDukeunderthatpalmtree,”saidEncyclopedia.
Dukewas lying in the shade, holding his sore ear.NeitherRocky nor the jarwas insight.
“Rocky’sprobablytakentheteethbacktotheTigers’clubhouse,”saidSally.
Dukesawthemapproaching.Hesatup,watchingSallyuneasily.
“Where’sRocky?”inquiredEncyclopedia.
“Hewenthome,”saidDuke.“Toomuchsunburn.”
“YoustoleFreddy’sfalseteeth,”Sallyaccused.“Givethemback!”
“Stole…?”criedDuke.“AfterallIdidforhim,heaccusesmeofstealing?”
“Justwhathaveyoudoneforhim?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Hewaswalkingpastmewithajarunderhisarm,”saidDuke.“Suddenlyhetripped.Acoupleofnewspaperclippingsfellout,andsomefalseteeth.”
“Theteethbityourear,Isuppose,”saidSally.
“Naw, the clippings blew into the ocean,” said Duke. “I tried to save them andstumbled.Ifellwithmyheadunderwater.Acrabbitme.WhenIneededhelp,wherewasyourFreddy?Runningoffwithhisjar!”
“Sorry,Duke,”saidEncyclopedia.“Youtried,butyoublewit!”
WHATWASDUKE’SMISTAKE?
(Turntopage90forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheFalseTeeth.)
TheCaseoftheSkinDiverWhenEncyclopedia and Sallywent fishing inMill Pond, they got there early in the
morningbeforeanyoneelse.
ButFridaymorningtheyweren’ttheearliest.Astheyarrived,TriskFordwasclimbinguptheslopefromthepond.Hewasmoaning.
“Wheredoyouhurt?”askedSally,hurryingtohisside.
“Inmycalendar,”saidTrisk.“Don’tyouknowwhatdaythisis?”
“Friday,”saidSally.
“Friday the thirteenth,”correctedTrisk,whose realnamewasBruce.Triskwas shortfortriskaidekaphobe,whichmeanssomeonewhoisafraidofthenumber13.
“Idon’tbelieveinunluckynumbers,”saidSally.“It’splainsilly.”
“Isit?”saidTrisk.“Whenwasthelasttimeyousawabuildingwithathirteenthfloor?Ifablackcatcrossesyourpathtoday,youbetterhoponthenearestbus.”
“EvenifIdon’thaveafurpiecetogo?”saidSally.
“It’snojoke,”saidTrisk.“FiveminutesagoInearlygotaterriblepaininmyneck.”
Heexplained.Hehadawakenedatsunrise.Ratherthanspendthedayinthecloset,hehaddecidedtohideinthefreshair.
“Iwalkeddowntothepond,”hesaid.“ButIgotboredsittinginthebushes.Istartedscaling stones on thewater. Suddenly I saw something shiningon the ground. Itwas agoldearring.”
“Golly,” said Encyclopedia. “I’ll bet it’s the oneMrs. Adams lost at the Girl Scoutpicniclastmonth.Whereisit?”
“Iwasholdingitwhenameankidsteppedoutofthebushes,”saidTrisk.“Hestoleit.Thenhechoppedtheairwithhishandandsaid,‘Scram,orI’llgiveyouadoublechininthebackofyourneck.’”
“Whatdidhelooklike?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Icouldn’ttell,”answeredTrisk.“Hehadonaglassfacemask.”
“Well,whatwashewearing?”
“Ijusttoldyou,”saidTrisk.“Afacemask.Hemusthavebeengoingskindivinginonlyhisskin.”
“Howoldwashe?”saidSally.“Whatwasthecolorofhishair?”
“Hewasabouttwelve,”repliedTrisk.“Hehadbrownhair,parteddownthemiddle.”
“He’s probably all dressed by now,” said Encyclopedia. “But if we hurry, wemightcatchhim.”
The threechildren randown theslope.Thepondwashalfamile long,and theshorecurvedandtwistedwithhidingplaces.Foraminutetheysawnoone.
“Iwasholdingtheearringwhenameankidsteppedoutofthebushes,”saidTrisk.
“Thereheis!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.
Aboy, fullyclothed,hadappearedfromsomebushesa fewyardsaway.Hecarriedafacemaskandatowel.
“It’sthatgood-for-nothingMarlinHayes,”saidSally.
Marlinwasalazyseventh-grader.Lastyearhisfatherwantedhimtotakeasummerjobcuttinglawns.Instead,Marlintookupkarate,thebettertofightworking.
“Itcouldn’thavebeenMarlin,”saidTrisk.“Hishairisthesamecolor,butit’spartedontheside.”
“Soitis…”observedSally.
Nevertheless,sheranuptoMarlinandgrippedhimbythearm.“YoustoleanearringfromTrisk,”shesaid.“Giveitback!”
“Sally—p-please,” gasped Encyclopedia. He had seen karate experts chop boards inhalf,bare-handed.
“Iknowyou,”saidMarlin,lookingdownhisnose.“You’rethelittlechickwhohastheTigersscaredcuckoo.Andyou’reMr.Know-it-all.Andyoumustbe thekidwhowearsearrings.”
Triskreddened.Hishandsclenched,butallheheldwashistongue.
Sallywasn’tsoeasilyfrightened.“Youstoletheearringwhileyouwerewalkingtothewatertoskindive,”shesaidtoMarlin.
“Yourhead isoutof town,”Marlin retorted.“Iwas skindivingwhen thiskid startedscalingstones.Onenearlyhitme.SoIcameashoreandaskedhimtostop.”
“Ifyou’reinnocent,youwon’tcareifwesearchyou,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Righton,”saidMarlinwithanamusedsmile.“I’llhelp.”
He turned the pockets of his pants and shirt inside out. They held a dollar bill, twonickels,andadirtyhandkerchief.
Sally’seyesnarrowed.
“Stayoutofit,Encyclopedia,”shesaidsoftly.“Icansolvethiscasemyself.”
SheturnedbacktoMarlin.“YouhidtheearringbecauseyousawustalkingwithTrisk.Whereisit?”
“I’m trying not to get angry,” saidMarlin. “But keep accusingme of stealing, and Imightchangemymind.”
“Changeit.It’llworkbetter,”saidSally.
“Nowyou’vegonetoofar!”announcedMarlin.
HecircledSally,shoutingfightingwordsandmovinghishandslikeaxblades.
“He’llchophertopieceswithhiskarate!”squeakedTrisk.
Sally,however,didn’tgivehimthechance.Shepepperedhimwithjabsandcrossedarighttothejaw.Marlin’seyessquinchedshutinpain.
“Ooooo…enough!”hewailed.“Stop!”HeheldhisheadandlookedatSallyfearfully.
“How’dyouknow?”hegasped.“WhatmadeyousosureIstoletheearring?”
WHAT?
(Turntopage91forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheSkinDiver.)
TheCaseoftheBarefootThievesTyroneTaylorknewhowtotreatthefairsex.
HewastheonlyboyinIdavillewhogotuptogiveagirlhisseat-evenwhentheyweretheonlytwopassengersonthebus.Theotherfifth-gradeboyscalledhimSirGalahad.
MondayafternoonTyronecameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.Helookedassickasahorse.
“Don’tcallmeSirGalahad,”hesaidsadly.“CallmeSirHad-a-Gal.”
“Whowasitthistime?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Betty Holden,” said Tyrone. “Just when I figured I had a chance with her, whathappens?ShegoesoutwithStingyStetson!”
“Don’t worry,” said Encyclopedia. “Stingy is so tight that if he blinks his eyes, hisknucklescrack.Whenhedatesagirl,themoneyflowslikeglue.”
“That’s what I thought,” said Tyrone. “But last night I saw them together in Mr.O’Hara’s drugstore. Stingy bought her the Idaville Special with three scoops of icecream!”
“Wow!Thatcoststwentycentsextra,”exclaimedEncyclopedia.
“Iwant to hire you,” saidTyrone.He slammed a quarter on the gasoline can besideEncyclopedia.“FindoutwhereStingystolethemoneyhe’sspending.”
“Justaminute,”saidEncyclopedia.“Youcan’tgoaroundaccusinghimofstealing—”
“What was he doing outside the Medical Building yesterday morning?” snappedTyrone. “ItwasSunday.The buildingwas closed.And you should have seen his crazywalk.”
Encyclopediascratchedhishead.“You’dbettershowme,”hesaid.
The two boys biked to the Medical Building. It was after five o’clock when theyarrived.Thedoctorshadallgonehome.Theparkinglotwasempty.
“Sundaywasahotday,” saidTyrone.“So I satunder that shade treewhile I thoughtaboutBetty.Suddenly I sawStingyandhisbigbrotherPete.Theywerewalking in theparkinglot,onebehindtheother.Crazy!”
“Crazy?”repeatedEncyclopedia.
“Theywalkedasiftheycouldn’tkeeptheirbalance,”saidTyrone.“Thentheyjumpedintoa red truck thathad ‘Mac’sServiceStation’writtenon thedoor.Theydroveaway,zoom!”
“Situnderthesametree,”saidEncyclopedia.“I’lldowhattheydid.”
Hewentdownto theparking lot,whichwasenclosedbyaseven-footstonewall.HewalkedacrosstheblacktopsurfacetillhecouldseeTyroneoverthewall.
“StingyandPetewerefartherback,”saidTyrone.“Icanseeonlyyourheadabovethewall.Isawthemdowntothewaist.”
Encyclopediamovedbackafewsteps.
“Stop,”calledTyrone.“That’swheretheywere.”
Encyclopediahadhaltedonalong,narrowwhiteline.Branchingoutoneithersideofitwereshortwhitelinestomarkspacesforcarstopark.
“StingyandPetewerewalkinganarrowwhitelineyoucan’tseefromthere,”shoutedEncyclopedia.“Theywerehavingfunkeepingtheirbalance.”
“Fun, nothing,” insisted Tyrone. “They were celebrating. They probably just robbedsomedoctor’soffice.”
TyronerefusedtobelieveanythingbuttheworstaboutStingy.HemadeEncyclopediapromisetoaskhisfatheriftheMedicalBuildinghadbeenrobbedyesterday.
Atdinner,Encyclopediaputthequestiontohisfather.
“Why, yes,” answered Chief Brown, surprised. “Officer Clancy handled the case. Ilearnedaboutitthismorning.”
“Whatwasstolen,dear?”askedMrs.Brown.
“Thievestookabouttwohundreddollarsaltogetherfromthepetty-cashboxesinseveraloffices,”saidChiefBrown.
“Isn’ttheMedicalBuildinglockedonSunday?”askedEncyclopedia.
“ThefrontdoorlockwasbrokenSaturday,”saidChiefBrown.“Awatchmanwashiredtillitcouldberepairedtoday.”
“Wherewasthewatchmanduringtherobbery?”askedMrs.Brown.
“He was drinking at the water fountain when he glimpsed two pairs of bare feetdisappearingupthestairs,”saidChiefBrown.“Hechasedthem.Asheturnedacorner,hewasstruckandknockedout.HeawoketoseeMac’sredservice truckleavetheparkinglot.”
“SotherobbersworkatMac’sgasstation!”declaredMrs.Brown.
“Wecan’tbe sure,” saidChiefBrown. “Thewatchman telephonedMac immediately.SundaysthetruckisdrivenbyPeteStetson.Sometimeshetakeshisyoungerbrother-the
oneeveryonecallsStingy—alongonservicecalls.Whentheyreturnedtothestation,bothboyshadonshoes.”
Hewasdrinkingatthewaterfountainwhenheglimpsedtwopairofbarefeetdisappearingupthestairs.
“WhatweretheStetsonboysdoingattheparkinglot?”askedMrs.Brown.
“Pete said he was looking for a key, which he thought he dropped Saturday aftervisitingDr.Marshall.Hedidseethedoctor.Wecheckedonthat.”
ChiefBrowntookaspoonfulofsoup.Thenhecontinued.
“Nodoubtthethievesremovedtheirshoesinordertowalkmorequietly,”hesaid.“PeteandStingymayhaverobbedtheoffices.Butwecan’tshaketheiralibi.”
“Youmean,youneeda clue toprove theyhad their shoesoffwhen theyentered thebuilding?”saidMrs.Brown.
“Onecluewilldo,”saidChiefBrown.“Butwedon’thaveevenone.”
“Ihave,”saidEncyclopedia.
WHATWASTHECLUE?
(Turntopage92forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheBarefootThieves.)
TheCaseoftheDog-PaddleDerbyBusiness kept Encyclopedia and Sally in the detective agency allmorning.Not until
noonwere they free to bike to the rock pit, where the IdavilleDog-PaddleDerbywasbeingheld.
“Ifwehurry,wecanseethefinal,”saidEncyclopedia.
Sallywas upset. “A swimmingmeet in a rock pit!” she exclaimed. “Dogs should beallowedinpools.”
“It’sagainstthehealthlaw,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Why?”demandedSally.“Therearemoreshort-haireddogsthanpeople.”
“Maybedogswon’tswiminpeople-pollutedpools,”saidEncyclopedia.
AttherockpittheyweremetbyFangsLive-right,oneofEncyclopedia’spals.Pinnedtohisshirtwasabuttonwiththewords“MeatDirector.”
“Shouldn’tthatbe‘MeetDirector’?”Sallyasked.
“No, I’m in charge of themeat,” said Fangs. “Thewinning dog gets five pounds ofhamburger.”
Thethreechildrenwalkedthroughthecrowdtilltheystoodattheedgeoftherockpit.Itwasfilledwithrainwater.
“Toobadyoumissedtheheats,”saidFangs.“Thefinalisabouttostart.It’sasprint-justonelap.”
“No lap dogs allowed, of course,” commented Sally. “They’d have too big anadvantage.”
Encyclopediawatched fivedogsbeing linedupbya teen-ageboy.Hewasmovingacockerspanielintoposition.Hehadonehandunderthedog’sjaw.
Encyclopediawatchedfivedogsbeinglinedupbyateen-ageboy.
“Whoishe?”askedtheboydetective.
“Horace Cushing, from the north side,” said Fangs. “He’s an official, like me andPuddingheadPeabody.Puddingheadiswaterboy.”
Besideeachdogwasaone-quartbowlfilledtothetopwithwater.FangsexplainedthatPuddingheademptiedthebowlsaftereachraceandfilledthembeforethenextwithfreshwaterfromacan.
“Everydoggets the same, a full quart ofwater,” saidFangs. “It’s a hot day, andwedon’twantthirstydogs.Theymightstoptodrinkduringtherace.”
Encyclopedianodded.Heunderstoodtheimportanceofbeingfairtoallthedogs.Alotwasatstake.Thewinnerwouldadvancetothestatechampionship.
“Inthiskindofrace,it’seasytotelltheunderdog,”observedEncyclopedia.“Butwhoisthefavorite?”
“Rags,thecockerspaniel,”saidFangs.“Ragsnotonlycleanshisplate,butdriesitwithhisears.”
“Howmanyhousewivescandothat!”criedSally.
Justthenthestarter’sgunwentoff.
Inaninstantthefivedogswereoffandswimming.Orfourwere.
Rags, the favorite, had rolled over on his side. His tearful owner tried frantically toawakenhim.Invain.Ragswasstillfastasleepwhentheraceended.
“Whatdoyoumakeofthat?”gaspedSally.
“I’m afraid somebody fed him knockout drops to keep him from winning,” repliedEncyclopedia.
“How?”saidSally.“Somanypeoplearewatching.”
“Is there anyplace around here where someone can hide for a fewminutes?” askedEncyclopedia.
“Over there,” saidFangs.Hepointed toa large shed,whichhadbeenbuiltwhen therock pit was being worked. “There’s a hose outlet on the other side of the shed.Puddingheadusedittofillhiswatercan.”
“DidHoraceCushing,thestarter,evergointhere?”askedSally.
“Acoupleoftimes,”repliedFangs.“I’mprettysurehewasstealingasmoke.”
Fangspausedthoughtfully.
“Youknowthedogthatwonthefinal?”hesaid.“He’sownedbyHorace.Butcometothinkofit,thedogthatfinishedsecondbelongstoPuddinghead!”
“EitherboycouldhavedopedRagstogivehisowndogabetterchance,”saidSally.
“You’llhavetoexcuseme,”saidFangs.“I’msupposedtoawardthehamburgermeattothewinner.”
Beforehecouldwalkaway,Puddingheadcameover.
“Here,”hesaid,handingFangsashinyone-gallongasolinecan.“Thanksalot.”
“Youusedagasolinecantofillthewaterbowls?”howledSally.
“It’sbrandnew,”Fangsassuredher.“Mydadboughtitthismorning.”
“Tellmesomething,”saidEncyclopedia.“Whenyoufilledthegasolinecanwithwaterbeforethefinalrace,didyouseeanyoneattheworkshed?”
“JustHoraceCushing,”answeredPuddinghead.“Hewasgrindingoutacigarette.”
“Washestilltherewhenyouwentback?”askedEncyclopedia.
,“Iwouldn’tknow,”saidPuddinghead.“Ionlymadeonetripforwater.AfterIfilledthebowls,Iwaitedaroundfortheracetobegin.”
AfterPuddingheadhadleft,Sallyshookherhead.
“Puddingheadcouldn’thave filled thegasolinecanwithwater at the shed,put in theknockoutdrops,andfilledallthebowls.Everydogintheracewouldhavebeenknockedout.Hehastobeinnocent.”
“Youmeanhe’dbe innocent if thiswereCanada,” repliedEncyclopedia. “But this isIdaville,U.S.A.”
WHATDIDENCYCLOPEDIAMEAN?
(Turntopage93forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheDog-PaddleDerby.)
TheCaseoftheBrokenGlobeTheBrownsweresittinginthelivingroomafterdinnerwhenMr.Mortonstoppedby.
Mr. Morton taught at the high school. He and Chief Brown had been friends sinceboyhood.
“I hate to bother you at this hour,” apologizedMr.Morton. “But…well, somethingserioushappenedinmyclasstoday.”
Heputdownhisbriefcaseandtookaseat.
“Ineedyourhelp…er…asafriend,”hesaid.
“Iunderstand,”saidChiefBrown.“Youwanttokeepthetroublequiet.”
“Yes,”repliedMr.Morton.“Mystudentsaren’tcriminals.Andtotellthetruth,nolawwasbroken.”
“Ipromisenottomakeanyarrests,ifthatiswhatisworryingyou,”saidChiefBrownwithagrin.“Now,whatisthisallabout?”
“I gavemy journalism class a test today,” saidMr.Morton. “I left the room for fiveminutes.WhileIwasgone,aglobeoftheworld,worthninetydollars,wassmashed.”
“Andyouwantmetofindoutwhobrokeit?”askedChiefBrown.
“Ido,”saidMr.Morton.“Idoubtifitwasknockedoveronpurpose.Morelikely,itwasanaccident.However,nooneintheclasswilltellmewhobrokeit.”
“Everyoneisafraidofbeingasquealer,eh?”saidChiefBrowninannoyance.“Protecttheguilty!Ibumpintothatkindoffoolishnesseveryweek.”
“Whatwasthetestyougavethejournalismclass?”askedMrs.Brown.
“Itwasoncaptionwriting,”answeredMr.Morton.“Eachstudentwasgivensixpicturesandtoldtowriteacaption—adescription—foreach.”
Mr.Morton opened his briefcase.He pulled out the test papers and showed them toChiefBrown.
ChiefBrownlookedatthemquicklyandhandedthemtoMrs.Brown.ShegaveeachaglanceandpassedthemtoEncyclopedia.
While the grown-ups talked about the case, the boy detective gave the tests his fullattention.Eachstudenthadbeengiventhesamepicturestoworkwith.Thedifferenceinwhateachwrotewasremarkable.
Oneofthetestpapers,turnedinbyaboynamedGeneDickman,caughtEncyclopedia’seye.Whereastheotherstudentshadwrittencaptionsof twentytofiftywords,Genehadwrittenonlyonewordundereachpicture.
Underapictureofaclockwithbothhandspointingto12,hehadwritten“NOON.”
Whilethegrown-upstalkedaboutthecase,theboydetectivegavethetestshisfullattention.
Under a picture of an old sea captain scanning the horizon with a spyglass, he hadwritten“SEES.”
Underapictureofascreenwithwhitedots,hehadwritten“RADAR.”
Underapictureofacalmandunrippledlake,hehadwritten“LEVEL.”
Underapictureofapaperhangerworkingonawall,hehadwritten“REPAPER.”
Underapictureofasmallairplane,hehadwritten“SOLOS.”
“Iwonder…”Encyclopediamuttered.
Hurriedlyhecheckedthenamesatthetopoftheothertestpapers:RobertMason,MaryKeith, Anna McGill, George Worth, Mike Duval, Phil Johnson, Connie Logan, ScottMuncie,andDwightSherman.
Encyclopedia closed his eyes. He always closed his eyes when he did his heaviestthinking.
Thenheaskedaquestion.Onequestionwasall heneeded to ask inorder to solveacase.
“Aretheseallthestudentsinyourclass,Mr.Morton?”
“Yes,it’sasmallclass,”answeredtheteacher.“Therearethreegirlsandsevenboys.”
SuddenlyMr.Mortonfrowned.HehadnoticedGeneDickman’s testpapersontopofthepileonEncyclopedia’slap.
“I don’t understand what happened to Gene,” saidMr.Morton. “He is my brighteststudent,andyethefailed.Hewroteonlyonewordundereachpicture!”
“Perhapshedidn’thavetimetowritemore,”saidChiefBrown,“becausehebroketheglobe.”
Mr.Mortonshookhishead.“Ilefttheclassroomrightaftergivingoutthetests.Iwasgoneonlyfiveminutes.Geneandeveryoneelsehadplentyoftimetofinishthetestbeforetheperiodended.”
“Ithoughtyoutriedtofindoutwhobroketheglobe,”saidChiefBrown.“Didn’t thattaketime?”
“No,”repliedMr.Morton.“Ididn’tnoticethebrokenglobetillthebellrang.Iheldtheclassafewminutes,butnobodyconfessed.”
“It’satoughcase,”admittedChiefBrown.“Thereisnotellingwhichboyisguilty.”
“Maybetheguiltypersonisagirl,”saidMrs.Brown.
“You’rebothright,”saidEncyclopedia.“Aboyandagirlareguilty.”
For a moment the room was quiet. The grown-ups stared in amazement at the boydetective.
“Leroy,”saidhismother.“Howdoyouknowthat?”
“IlearneditfromGeneDickman,”repliedEncyclopedia.
“YouspokewithGene…?”gaspedMr.Morton.
“No,Ireadhistest,”repliedEncyclopedia.“ThewayIseeit,Genedidn’twanttobecalledasquealer.Butneitherdidhelikeseeingtheguiltyboyandgirlrefusetoownuptowhattheydid.”
“Idon’tunderstandaword,”protestedMr.Morton.
“Geneusedthetesttonametheguiltyboyandgirl,”explainedEncyclopedia.
HOW?
(Turntopage94forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheBrokenGlobe.)
TheCaseofthePetSkunkCorby Briggs stepped into the Brown Detective Agency. “What do you think of
skunks?”heasked.
“I’vegotnothingagainst them,”answeredEncyclopedia,whofelt itwas important toletpeopleknowhowhestoodonissues.“Theyleavemealone.Ileavethemalone.”
“Wouldyoumindifyourneighborkeptaskunkasapet?”askedCorby.
“Idon’tknow…”admittedEncyclopedia.“Livingnearskunksissomethingelse.”
“Youcansaythatagain,”agreedSally.“Oneor twoskunksmove indownthestreet.Thentheybringtheirfriends.Thefirstthingyouknow,theregoestheneighborhood!”
Corby took a quarter from his pocket. He laid it on the gasoline can besideEncyclopedia.
“IwantyoutofindoutwhokilledmypetskunkButtercupthismorning,”hesaid.
“Killed?”gaspedSally.“Why,that’sterrible!”
“Do you suspect anyone?” asked Encyclopedia. “Think hard. Who hated Buttercupenoughtokillhim?”
“Ican’tsay,”repliedCorby.“NoneoftheneighborshasspokentomesinceImadehimmypet.”
Encyclopediarosefromhischair.“We’dbetterhavealookatthesceneofthecrime,”hesaid.
Corby lived three blocks farther downRoverAvenue.As theywalked, he explainedhowhehadtakenupwithaskunk.
TwoweeksagoButtercuphadwanderedoutofthewoods,weakandlame.Corbyhadcalled theHumaneSociety.Hehadcalled theAnimalControl.Hehadcalled theCoastGuard.Butnoonecomesandgetsskunks,hehaddiscovered.
Sohehadputoutfoodforthehungryanimal.Thatwasthestart.
Everymorning thereafter, Buttercup dropped by for a freemealwhenCorby fed hisfourcatsandthreedogs.
“Buttercupwasespeciallyfondofdrycatfood,”saidCorby.
ThechildrenhadreachedCorby’shouse.HepointedtoButtercup’sbody.
“Ihaven’ttouchedathing,”hesaid.
Buttercuplaynearthebackdoor,besideabowlhalffilledwithcatfood.Encyclopediaexaminedthebody.Hecouldfindneitherbloodnorbruises.
“Weshouldburyhim,poorthing,”murmuredSally.
SheandCorbysetaboutthetaskwhileEncyclopediaexaminedthearea.Inagarbagecannearthedoorhefoundwhathesought—abottlemarked“poison.”Itwasempty.
EverymorningButtercupdroppedbyforafreemealwhenCorbyfedhisfourdogsandfourcats.
Besidethegarbagecanhefoundsomethingelse—apieceofnotebookpaper,thekind
school-childrenuse.Onitwastypewritten:
“Inordertosucceedyouhavetoproceedtoexceed.”
EncyclopediashowedthepapertoCorby.
“It’snotmine,”saidCorby.“Whatdoesitmean?Isitaclue?”
“Maybe,” said Encyclopedia. “Itmust have dropped from the guilty person’s pocketwhenhepulledoutthebottleofpoison.Didyouseeanyonenearthehousethismorning?”
“JimCarnes,BertFenton,andChuckMitchellalwayscutthroughtheyardonthewayto summer school,” saidCorby. “I don’t remember if I saw any of them thismorning,though.”
“Dotheywalktogether?”askedSally.
“No,”repliedCorby.“Butsometimestheypassthehousewithinfiveminutesofeachother.”
Encyclopediaknewthethreeboys.Theyweretakingmakeupcoursessotheycouldbepromotedtoseventhgradeinthefall.
“OneofthemcouldhavepoisonedButtercup’sfoodwhilehewaseatingandtossedthebottleintothegarbagecan,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Whichone?”saidSally
“We’llhavetogoovertotheschooltolearnthat,”saidEncyclopedia.
Sally pressed him to explain.ButEncyclopediawasn’t ready to discuss the case.Heneededonemoreclue.
Theeleven-o’clockclasseshadjustbegunwhenthethreechildrenreachedtheIdavilleElementarySchool.Theywentstraighttotheoffice.
EncyclopediaspokewithMr.Pearlman, theassistantprincipal.He toldhimabout thepoisoning,andthathesuspectedJimCarnes,orBertFenton,orChuckMitchell.
Mr.Pearlmanlistened,frowning.“ButhowcanIhelpyou?”hesaid.
“You could find out if one of the boys had to take a test this morning,” saidEncyclopedia.
Mr.Pearlmanseemedpuzzledby the request.Nevertheless,he said,“Waithere,”andlefttheoffice.
Hewasgonehalfanhour.
“I’veasurpriseforyou,”hesaiduponhisreturn.“All threeboyshadtestsscheduledtoday.”
“Inwhatsubjects?”inquiredEncyclopedia.
“JimCarnes tookahistory test at eight,” saidMr.Pearlman. “ChuckMitchell tookaspellingtestatnine.Rightnow,BertFentonistakingatestinSpanish.”
Mr.PearlmanpausedandregardedEncyclopediaquestioningly.
“IfyouthinkyouknowwhopoisonedCorby’sskunk,Iwishyou’dtellmehisname,”hesaid.
“Andme!”exclaimedSally.
“Well,then,”saidEncyclopedia.“Ithinktheguiltyboyis…”
WHO?
(Turntopage95forthesolutiontoTheCaseofthePetSkunk.)
TheCaseoftheSeven-FootDriverBaxter Cronkmeyer wobbled stiffly up to the Brown Detective Agency. He wore a
papermoustacheandaskirtmadeofoldcurtainsthathungtotheground.
“Hi,”hesaid,duckingunderthedoorframe.
Baxterwasagrowingboy.Still,itwashardtobelievethathe’dgrownthreefeetsinceEncyclopediahadseenhimlast.
Theboydetectivestoodup,startled.HiseyeswereonalevelwithBaxter’sknees.
“Baxter!”gaspedSally.“Whathaveyoubeeneating?Vitaminsorcurtainrods?”
“Shookyouup,eh?”saidBaxtergleefully.
Grinning, he untied the rope at hiswaist. The curtains fell to the floor, showing thereasonforhisjiffygrowth.Hewasstandingonstilts.
“I’mgoingtoscareJackHightowerpop-eyed,”hedeclared.
The name gave Encyclopedia gooseflesh. Jack Hightower was eighteen. He had atemperasshortashewaslong,whichwassevenfeet.Heusuallydidthescaring.
“WhatmakesyousomadatJack?”inquiredSally.
“Recklessdriving,”snortedBaxter.
Heexplained.TwohoursagohehadbeenridinghisyellowbikewhenJackdrovehiscararoundthecornerathighspeed.Baxterbarelyhadtimetojumpclear.
“Iwasn’thurt,”saidBaxter.“ButJackranovermybike.Itlookslikemashednoodles.”
“AreyousureitwasJack?”askedSally.
“Farnsworth Grant saw him,” said Baxter. “But Farnsworth won’t come with me toJack’shouse.”
“Thefraidycat!”saidSally.
“I’monmyway to speakwith Jack,” saidBaxter. “That’swhy I’mdressed like this.Jackhasn’tlookedupatanyonesincehewasthirteen.Whenheseesme,he’llbegladto
payformybike.”
“Youdon’tweighahundredpounds,”Sallysaid.“Jackweighstwohundredandforty.Gethimmad,andhe’llpullyourcurtain-tailsandslingyouovertheroof.Thenhe’llstuffthestiltsupyournose.”
Baxterwinced.“That’swhyIstoppedhere,”hesaid.Helaidtwenty-fivecentsonthegasolinecanbesideEncyclopedia.“IfIdon’tfoolJack,Imayneedlotsofhelp.”
Encyclopediaconsideredthetwenty-fivecents.Healsoconsideredhowitmustfeeltobesteppedonbytwohundredandfortypounds,orevenleanedon.Hisfastbrainworkedonawaytowiggleoutofthecase.
Hesaidweakly,“You’renotsureitwasJack.Youdidn’tseehimbehindthewheel.”
“No,butIsawitwasJack’sgreencar,”repliedBaxter.
“We’ll takethecase,”saidSally,glancingreproachfullyatEncyclopedia.“First,we’llhave to do something about your getup. You look more like a French window than agiant.”
The twodetectivesgotbusy.Sallypinned thecurtains to formtrousers.EncyclopediastuffedaclotheshangerunderBaxter’sshirttowidenhisshoulders.
“You’vegot theshortestarmsofanybodyovereightfeet tall,”saidtheboydetective.“Keepyourhandsinyourpockets,andJackwon’tnotice.Let’sgo.”
TheHightowerslivedthreeblocksaway.Afterwalkingablock,Baxterseemedtoloseheart.“Ican’tgothroughwithit,”hewhined.
Heploddedtoahaltbesideasmallgirl.Shejumpedoffhertricycleandfledintothehousecrying.
“Zowie!”Baxteryelpedexcitedly.“Iscaredher!”
“Zowie!”Baxteryelpedexcitedly.“Iscaredher!IcandothesametoJack,thedirtyhit-and-runartist!”
EncyclopediasawJack’sgreencarparkedinthedrivewayofhishouse.Jackloomedbythegarage.Hestaredatthethreechildren.
“Who’sthelittledudeonstilts?”heasked.
“Hemeansme,”whimperedBaxter.“Let’sgetoutofhere.I’vegottoomuchboneinmyheadandnotenoughinmyback.”
Desperately,Encyclopedia signaledSally to retreat. Itwas too late. She had her fistsplantedonherhipsandherjawstuckout.
“You nearly killedBaxterCronkmeyer thismorningwith your reckless driving,” shesaidtoJack.“Andyouranoverhisbikeandruinedit.We’vecometocollectforanewone!”
“You bucking for a stretcher or something?” growled Jack. “Iwasn’t inmy car thismorning.Mysisterwastheonlyonetouseittoday.She’sacarefuldriver.”
Heturnedtowardthehouse.
“Alice,”hecalled.“Comeouthereaminute.”
AliceHightowerwas seventeen, but hardly taller than Sally. Jack told herwhatwasgoingon.
“Iwasn’tinthecartoday,”hesaidtoher.“Youweretheonlypersontodriveit.Isn’tthatcorrect?”
Alicelookedfrightened.“Y-yes,”shestammered.
“Now,doIlooklikemysister?”demandedJack.“AnyonewhomistakesmeforAliceoughttoadoptaseeing-eyedog.You’reaccusingthewrongman.”
He opened the door of his car and slipped comfortably behind the wheel withoutbotheringtousetheseatbelt.Hestartedtheengine.
“I’vegotanappointment,”hesaid,slammingthedoor.“It’swithamanwhothinksI’llbethenextheavyweightboxingchampionoftheworld.”
“YoucomebackandpayforBaxter’sbike!”screamedSally.“Encyclopedia,don’t lethimgetawaywithit!”
Encyclopedia’s legs felt like rubber bands, and the breeze was twanging them.Nevertheless,heshouted,“You’relying,Jack.YoudroveoverBaxter’sbike!”
WHATWASTHEPROOF?
(Turntopage96forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheSeven-FootDriver.)
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheStolenMoneyAfterstealing themoneyandhiding it inhisownhouse,Mr.Auklandreturned to the
Richters’housewithrope.
Hecalledthepolice,claimingtheropehadbeenusedbytwothievestotiehim;beforehecouldfreehimselfthethievesgotawaywiththemoney.
However,heclaimedtohaveseenthemclearlybeforetheyknockedoffhisglasses.
Impossible!
Entering a house heated to seventy degrees—a comfortable temperature-from theoutdoorsonafreezingday,Mr.Auklandcouldnothaveseenanything.
Hiseyeglasseswouldhavebeensteamedover!
ThankstoEncyclopedia,Mr.Auklandconfessed.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheTalkingHouseWhenScoopthoughtthehousebithim,hedroppedhismoneyandran.
Bugs didn’t have a chance to hide. He knew Scoop had seen him as he raced toEncyclopediaforhelp.
TheTigers’leaderwantedthedetectivetofindthemoneyandsobelievehiminnocent.Therefore,heputthehalfdollarontopofthedollarbilltoweighitdowninthesand.
Thatwashismistake!
Whenacoinandabillaredropped,thecoinlandsfirst.Thebillfloatsdownandlandsontopofthecoin,notunderneathit.
Trappedbyhisownmistake,BugsadmittedthathehadpretendedtobethehouseandhadaskedScoopformoney.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheTwo-Timer,BugsusedLeftytohelphimgetevenwiththetwodetectives.
While Bugs andOfficerHallwatched from the dress shop, Lefty paid Encyclopediatwenty-fivecentsandthenfivedollars.
ToOfficerHall,itlookedasifLeftywerepayingthefeeforsettinghiswatchandthenbuyingtherightstochargeothers.
ButLefty couldnot havebeen settinghiswatch.Hewas sonervousheusedhis lefthand.
Ifyousetyourwatchwithyourlefthand,youwillbeholdingitupsidedown!
When Encyclopedia pointed out Lefty’s slip to Officer Hall, the policeman realizedLeftyandBugshadfakedthewholescene.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheFalseTeethDukehadtothinkfastinordertoexplainthebiteinhisear.
Sohesaidhehadchasedthenewspaperadsintotheocean,stumbled,andwasbittenbyacrab.
Butheforgotaboutthewind.
It was blowing in from the ocean all the time Encyclopedia and Sally were on thebeach.
Thus,thepiecesofnewspaperswouldhaveblowninland,notintotheoceanagainstthewind.
Caughtbyhis own lie,Duke admitted stealing the jar of teeth inorder to collect therewards.RockyGrahamhadtakenthejartotheTigers’clubhouse.
Freddygotbackhisteeth.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheSkinDiverMarlin claimed he had been skin diving and had come ashore to ask Trisk to stop
scalingstonesintothewater.
Ifhespokethetruth,thewatershouldhavewipedouthispart.Yethehadapart-eventhoughhehadnocombwithhim!
Fromthatclue,Sallyreasonedoutwhathadtakenplace.
MarlinfeltthatsincehewasnakedandheworeafacemaskwhenhestoletheearringfromTrisk, he could not be recognized as the thief-except for one thing.His hair wasalwaysparteddownthemiddle.
So,afterputtingonhisclothes,hepartedhishairontheside.ThenhehidthecombandtheearringinthebusheswhenhesawEncyclopedia,Sally,andTriskapproach.Withoutthecomb,hecouldn’tbeaccusedofhavingchangedthepart.Heplannedtocomebackfortheearringlater.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheBarefootThievesPeteandStingyStetsonhadtakenofftheirshoesandsocksinthetruckinordertowalk
quietly.Theyhadenteredandleft thebuildingbywalkingalongthewhitestripesoftheparkinglot.
Astheyleft,TyroneTaylorhadsatdownunderthetree.Thebrothersdidnotseehim.Buthesawthem—fromthewaistup—walkingbacktothetruck.
Encyclopediarealizedthebrothershadnotwalkedalongthewhitestripejustforfun.Itwasahotday,remember?
The blacktop burned their bare feet. So they hadwalked along thewhite strip-whichwascooler.
FacedwiththeproofrevealedbyTyrone’ssharpeyesandEncyclopedia’ssharpbrain,theStetsonbrothersconfessed.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheDog-PaddleDerbyEncyclopedia meant that in Canada an Imperial gallon holds five quarts. But in the
UnitedStates,agallonholdsfourquarts.
Tothrowsuspicionoffhimself,Puddingheadclaimedhemadeonlyonetriptotheshedtofilltheone-gallongasolinecanbeforethefinalrace.
Impossible!Hecouldnothave filled fiveone-quartbowls to the topwithagallonofwater.
Hereallymadetwotrips.Onthesecondtrip,heputtheknockoutdropsintothecanandfilledthefifthbowl-theoneRagsdrankfrom.
HoraceCushingwas in on the scheme.Hemade sureRags, the favorite,was placedbeforetheproperbowl.
Because of Encyclopedia’s quick brain, the racewas rerun the nextweek, andRagswon.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheBrokenGlobeGeneDickmanhadwrittenonlyonewordtodescribeeachpictureinthetest:NOON,
SEES,RADAR,LEVEL,REPAPER,andSOLOS.
Thesixwordsweretheclue.
Eachwasapalindrome;thatis,awordthatreadsthesamebackwardandforward.
Twostudents,Encyclopediasaw,hadnamesthatwerepalindromes.TheywereANNAMcGillandRobert-BOB-Mason.
ThenextdayMr.MortonquestionedonlyAnnaandBobaboutthebrokenglobe.Theythoughthehadpositiveproofoftheirguilt,sotheyconfessed.
After he had left the classroom during the test, they had clowned around and hadaccidentallyknockedovertheglobe.
SolutiontoTheCaseofthePetSkunkAsEncyclopedia guessed, the slip of paper had fallen out of the guilty boy’s pocket
whenhetookoutthebottleofpoison.
Onthepaperwastyped:“Inordertosucceedyouhavetoproceedtoexceed.”
ThesentencemakesgoodsenseonlyasawayofrememberingthewordsintheEnglishlanguage thatend in“ceed.”Manywordsend in“cede,”whichsounds like“ceed.”Butonlythreewords—succeed,proceed,andexceed-endin“ceed.”
Encyclopedia realized the guilty boy had written down the sentence to help himrememberthethreewords—inpreparationforaspellingtest.
Thus,theboywasChuckMitchell.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheSeven-footDriverAliceliedinordertohelpherbrother.
ThedifferenceintheirsizesgaveEncyclopediatheclue.
AlicewashardlytallerthanSally.Jackwassevenfeet.
Butheforgotabouttheseat.
Hesettledintoitcomfortably.
HadAlicereallydriventhecarlast,hewouldhavehadtomovetheseatbacktofithislonglegs.
Provedguiltybyhisownactions,JackboughtBaxteranewbike.
