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TableofContentsTitlePage
Dedication
CopyrightPage
TheCaseoftheSilverFruitBowl
TheCaseoftheDwarf’sBeard
TheCaseofBugsMeany’sRevenge
TheCaseoftheCaveDrawings
TheCaseoftheWantedMan
TheCaseoftheAngryCook
TheCaseoftheMissingRing
TheCaseoftheMoney-changer
TheCaseoftheFallingWoman
TheCaseoftheRedBoat
Werethosedrawingsdonebycavemen?Thebearcavewasamileoutsidethetownline.WhenEncyclopediaandElmerarrived,acrowdofboysandgirlshadalreadygatheredtohearWilford.
“Doyoukidsknowwhat’sinsidethiscave?”
“Sureweknow,”saidBugsMeany.“AlotofrockandaholeinthefloorthatgoesdowntoChina.”
Wilfordlaughed.“Thatholeisfilledwithgasesthatcankillyou,”hesaid.“Nobodybutmeeverdaredgodown.YouwanttoknowwhatIfoundatthebottomofthathole?”criedWilford.“Anothercave,biggerthantheoneontop.Onthewallsweredrawings—donebycavemen!”
Hepassedoutthreephotographs.
“There’stheproof!”shoutedWilford.
Encyclopediawatched.“Nocavemandrewthosepictures,”hesaid.
ReadallthebooksintheEncyclopediaBrownserieslNo.1EncyclopediaBrownBoyDetectiveNo.2EncyclopediaBrownandthe
CaseoftheSecretPitchNo.3EncyclopediaBrownFindstheCluesNo.4EncyclopediaBrownGetsHisManNo.5EncyclopediaBrownSolvesThemAllNo.6EncyclopediaBrownKeepsthePeaceNo.7EncyclopediaBrownSavestheDay
No.8EncyclopediaBrownTracksThemDownNo.9EncyclopediaBrownShowstheWayNo.10EncyclopediaBrownTakestheCaseNo.11EncyclopediaBrownLendsaHandNo.12EncyclopediaBrownandthe
CaseoftheDeadEaglesNo.13EncyclopediaBrownandthe
CaseoftheMidnightVisitor
ForMySonJohn
PUFFINBOOKSPublishedbythePenguinGroup
PenguinYoungReadersGroup,345HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,U.S.A.PenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,
Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4P2Y3(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2RORL,England
PenguinIreland,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,England
FirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericabyDuttonChildren’sBooks,
adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,1969PublishedbyPuffinBooks,adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,2008
Copyright©DonaldJ.Sobol,1969
(MemberoftheAuthorsLeagueofAmerica,Inc.)Allrightsreserved
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardnumber:73-82912
eISBN:978-1-101-04235-9
Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partyWebsites
ortheircontent.
http://us.penguingroup.com
TheCaseoftheSilverFruitBowl“StayawayfromIdaville!”
Acrossthenationthewarningspedfromcrooktocrook.
Big and small, they knewwhat to expect if they tried anything funny in Idaville—aquick trip to jail. For more than a year, no child or grown-up had gotten away withbreakingalawthere.
HowdidIdavilledoit?Whatsecretlaybehinditswaroncrime?Noonecouldguess.Idavillelookedlikemanyotherseasidetownsitssize.
Ithad twocarwashes, twodelicatessens, threemovie theaters,andfourbanks. Ithadrich families and poor families, churches and a synagogue, lovely beaches, and goodplacestofish.
AndonRoverAvenueithadaredbrickhousewithawhitepicketfenceinfront.
ThiswastherealheadquartersofIdaville’swaroncrime.ForwithintheredbrickwallslivedEncyclopediaBrown.
Encyclopedia’sfatherwaschiefoftheIdavillepolice.FormorethanayearnowChiefBrownhadbroughthomehishardestcases.Encyclopediasolvedthematthedinnertable.
ItpainedChiefBrownnottotelltheworld.Hewantedtoshoutfromtherooftops,“Mysonisthegreatestdetectivewhoeverwalkedinsneakers!”
Buthowcouldhe?
WhowouldbelievethatthemastermindbehindIdaville’scrimecleanupwastenyearsold?
Encyclopedianeverletdropawordaboutthehelphegavehisfather.Hedidn’twanttoseemdifferentfromotherfifth-graders.
Hisnicknamewassomethingelse.Therewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.
Only his parents and teachers called him by his real name, Leroy. Everyone else inIdavillecalledhimEncyclopedia.
An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from A to Z. So wasEncyclopedia’shead.Hehadreadmorebooksthananybody,andheneverforgotaword.
YoumightsayhewastheonlylibraryinAmericathatcouldplaysecondbase.
Oneeveninghisfatheratehissoupveryslowly.Encyclopediaknewwhatthatmeant.ChiefBrownhadcomeupagainstacasehecouldn’tsolve.
Chief Brown put down his spoon. He leaned back and said, “Mr. Holt says he wasrobbedthisafternoon.”
“Says?”questionedMrs.Brown.“Youmakeitsoundasifyoudon’tbelievehim.”
“I’mnotsure,”repliedChiefBrown.“Mr.HoltownstheSilverShoponMainStreet.Heclaimsthateightfinesilverdisheswerestolen.Noonesawtheholdup,however.”
“Whyshouldhelie?”askedMrs.Brown.
“Mr. Holt won’t lose any money because of the robbery,” said Chief Brown. “Hedoesn’townthesilverdishesthatwerestolen.”
“Whoownsthem?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Mrs.Cartwright,”answeredChiefBrown.“Mr.Holtagreedtoshowthedishesinhisstore.IfhesoldthematthepriceMrs.Cartwrightwasasking,shewastopayhimforhistimeandtrouble.”
“Doyouthinkheclaimedthedisheswerestolensothathecansellthemhimselfoutoftownandkeepallthemoney?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Ithasbeendonebefore,”saidChiefBrown.
“DidMr.Holtseewhoheldhimup?”inquiredMrs.Brown.
“Asinglegunman,”saidChiefBrown.“Mr.Holtissurehecanrecognizethemanifheseeshimagain.”
ChiefBrownunbuttonedhisshirtpocket.Hetookoutanotebook.
“IwrotedowneverythingMr.Holttoldmeabouttheholdup,”hesaidtoEncyclopedia.“Hereiswhathesaidhappened.”
ChiefBrownread:
“Iwasalone in the store shortlyafteroneo’clock. Ihadmyback to thedoor. Iwaslockingawall showcase inwhich I keepeight very fine silverdishesbelonging toMrs.Cartwright.SuddenlyIheardthedooropen.Aman’svoicesaid,‘Don’tturnaround—thisis a stickup!‘ I felt a gun inmy back. ’Just hand over everything in the showcase,’ thevoice said. After I had given him everything—it sounded as if he put the dishes in asuitcase—heleft.”
Encyclopediasaid,“Mr.Holt’sbackwastotheholdupmanallthetime.Sohowcanhe
sayhecouldrecognizethemanifhesawhimagain?”
Mrs.BrownlookedatEncyclopediaproudly.Shewasalwayspleasedwhenhesolveda
casebeforeshegotuptobringthemaincourse.
“Mr.Holtsaidsomethingelse,”repliedChiefBrown.Hereadagainfromhisnotebook.
“Allthesilverdisheswerehighlypolished.WhenIwaspassingbackthelargest,afruitbowlmadebyFalcoofItaly,I tippeditup.Bylookinginsideit,Isawtheholdupman’sfacejustasthoughIwerelookingintoamirror.”
Mrs.BrownglancedworriedlyatEncyclopedia.
Encyclopedia had closedhis eyes.He always closedhis eyeswhenhe did his heavythinking.
ChiefBrownputhisnotebookintohispocket.“It’snotsuchasimplecaseafterall,”hesaid.“Ican’tbesurethatMr.Holtisn’ttellingthetruth.”
Encyclopediaopenedhiseyes.“Ishisbusinessdoingwell?”heasked.
“No,”saidChiefBrown.“Icheckedwithhisbank.Hehasborrowedalotofmoneytokeepthestoregoing.Ithinkhefakedtherobbery.Withthemoneyhewillgetfromsellingthesilverdishesoutoftown,hecanpaybackthebank.”
“Youaren’tbeingfair,”saidMrs.Brown.“JustbecauseMr.Holtneedsmoneydoesn’tmeanhestoleMrs.Cartwright’ssilver.”
“Isawtheholdupman’sfacejustasthoughIwerelookingintoamirror,”saidMr.Holt.
“Haveyoueverseenthesilverbowlheusedasamirror,Dad?”askedEncyclopedia.
“YourmotherandInearlyboughtthebowllastmonth,asamatteroffact,”saidChiefBrown.“It’sabouteleveninchesacrossandroundedinsidelikeabigspoon.”
“Wejustlovedit,”saidMrs.Brown.“Butitcosttoomuch.”
“I’mgladyoudidn’tbuyit,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Why?”askedChiefBrown.
“BecauseMr.Holt needed the fruit bowl for his story,” said Encyclopedia. “Hewasafraid he might not get away with a simple story of a holdup man. He had to addsomethingthatshowedheactedtogetbackMrs.Cartwright’ssilverdishes.Soheputinthepartaboutusingthefruitbowlasamirrortoseetheholdupman’sface.”
“I’mafraidthatpartdoesn’tmatter,”saidChiefBrown.“Wecan’tprovethathedidn’tsee the holdup man’s face any more than we can prove he made up the whole story.Maybetherewasaholdupman,maybetherewasn’t.We’rebackwherewestarted.”
“Notquite,Dad,”saidEncyclopedia.“WeknowthatMr.Holtislying!”
WHATMADEENCYCLOPEDIASURE?
(Turntopage87forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheSilverFruitBowl.)
TheCaseoftheDwarf’sBeardDuring the winter Encyclopedia solved cases in the dining room. In the summer he
solvedtheminthegarageaswell.
When school let out, he opened his own detective business. He wanted to help thechildrenoftheneighborhood.Outsidethegarageeachmorninghehungasign.Itread:
OnemorningGaryHalebroughtinabeercan.Thebottomwasmissing.
“Lookatthis,”exclaimedGary.
Hepokedhisthumbthroughaholeinthesideofthecan.
“Theholeisforair,”saidGary.“BugsMeanymadeitbeforehestuckthecanovermydwarf.”
Encyclopediastayedcalm.Hetriedtorecallthelasttimeanyonehadstuckabeercanoveradwarf.OnlyBugsMeanywoulddosuchathing.
Bugswas the leaderofagangof tougholderboyswhocalled themselves theTigers.They should have called themselves the Tea Bags. They were always getting into hotwater.
“Iwant to hire you,” saidGary, putting twenty-five cents on the gasoline can besideEncyclopedia.“Somebody’sgottostopthatBugsMeany,andI’mtoosmall.”
“I think I can handle Bugs,” said Encyclopedia. Since opening his detective agency,EncyclopediahadbeenhiredtostopmanyofBugs’sshadydeals.“Whatarethefacts?”
“DidyouknowaboutMr.Whitten’sjelly-beancontest?”askedGary.
“Sure.Childrenhadtoguessthenumberofjellybeansinthewindowofhistoyshop.”
“Myguesswasclosest,”saidGary.“ButI’mnotproudofwinning.”
“IsMr.Whittenyouruncleorsomething?”
“No,”saidGary.“Myguesswashonest—seventhousandandtwenty-threejellybeans.The real numberwas eleven thousand and six.My guesswas closest, so I won. But Ilookedbad.”
“Ithurtyourstandingtomissbysomuch,”saidEncyclopediasympathetically.
“Right,”saidGary,whosehobbywasenteringcontests.
So far this year Gary had finished eighty-first in a national TV hair-tonic contest,winningtwofreeshavesatabarbershopinDenver,Colorado.Hehadalsowonayear’ssubscriptiontoTheHardwareStoreNewsandmanysmallerprizes.
“First prize in the jelly-bean contest was seven candles shaped like Snow White’sdwarfs,”saidGary.“LastnightIpickedupthecandlesatMr.Whitten’sshop.I’dhardlygotoutthedoorbeforeBugsMeanyandhisTigerstookthemaway.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“Nothing,” said Gary. “I told you, I’m too little. But I followed the Tigers to thehighway.Theyusedacandletolightfirecrackers.Whenafirecrackerwentoff,itsoundedlikeatireblew.Carswerestoppingallovertheplace.”
“Whatabouttheemptybeercan?”
“Therewasastrongbreeze,”answeredGary.“BugsMeanyput thebeercanover thecandlesoitwouldn’tgoout.Helightedthefirecrackersthroughtheholeintheside.”
“Hmmm,”saidEncyclopedia.“WebetterpayBugsavisit.”
TheTigers’clubhousewasanunusedtoolshedbehindMr.Sweeny’sAutoBodyShop.BugsMeanywasalone.Hehadadeckofplay-ingcardsandwasmarkingthebacksoftheacesandkings.
BugsMeanyhadadeckofplayingcardsandwasmarkingthebacksoftheacesandkings.
“Getofftheearth,”hesnarleduponseeingtheboydetective,“orI’lltwistyournosesofararoundyou’llpartyourhaireverytimeyousneeze.”
Encyclopediawasused toBugs’swelcomes.Hestepped inside. Immediatelyhisgaze
felluponanobjectstandingonanorangecrate.
Itwasacandleshapedlikeadwarf!
Althoughtheheadhadmeltedaway,Encyclopediacouldtellthatthefrontofthedwarffacedthedoor.Allthedrippingshadsliddownthechestandlegs,formingabeardcleartothelittlewaxboots.
“That’soneofthecandlesyoustolefromGarylastnight,”saidEncyclopedia.“HewonsevenoftheminMr.Whitten’sjelly-bean-countingcontest.”
“You’vegotbubblesinyourthinktank,”jeeredBugs.“IfIhadnothingbettertodothanentercontests,I’dgojumpinthelake.”
“Youusedoneofmycandlestolightfirecrackersbythehighwaylastnight,”saidGary.
“Man,oh,man!”sangBugs.“I’maccusedofeverything!Iboughtthatcandletwodaysagoandputitthereontheorangecrate.Ihaven’ttoucheditsince!”
“Howcomeit’sburneddown,”demandedGary.
“IsaidIdidn’ttouchit,”repliedBugs.“Ididn’tsayIdidn’tlightit.IlititlastnighttoshowtheotherTigersIwasintheclubhouse.”
“They couldn’t see the light. The clubhouse has no windows,” pointed outEncyclopedia.
“What I put up with!” groaned Bugs, rolling his eyes. “I left the door open, youblubber-brain!”
“There was a strong breeze last night,” said Encyclopedia. “It probably would haveblownoutthecandle.”
ForamomentBugslookedasifhe’dtakenakaratechoptothethroat.
“W-well,thebreezewasn’tstrongenough,”heinsisted.“Youcanseethecandleburnedprettywell.”
“Toowell,”correctedEncyclopedia.
WHATDIDENCYCLOPEDIAMEAN?
(Turntopage88forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheDwarf’sBeard.)
TheCaseofBugsMeany’sRevengeTheworldofBugsMeanywasdividedintwo.
Onehalfwasfilledwithmischief.TheotherwasfilledwiththedesiretogetevenwithEncyclopedia.
BugshatedhavingEncyclopediaoutsmarthimallthetime.Helongedtoknocktheboydetectivecolderthanthepaintonanicehousefloor,andtwiceasflat.
Bugsdidn’tdarethrowapunch,however.Itwasn’tbecauseEncyclopedia’sfatherwaschiefofpolice.ItwasbecauseofSallyKimball.
Bugshadneverdreamedthataprettyten-year-oldgirlcouldbeatthegroundwithhim—tillSallyhadcaughthimbullyingaCubScout.
Bugshad laughedwhenSallyhad toldhimtopickonsomeonehisownsize.Hehadroaredinsurprisewhenshehaddroppedhimwithherfirstpunch.Hehadgottenup,butafter shehad servedhimahelpingof lefts and rights,hehad just lainon thegrassandgroaned.
BecauseofSally,BugsneverthreatenedEncyclopediawithhismuscles.Sallywastheboydetective’sjuniorpartner.
“Bugs hates me, and he won’t ever live down the licking you gave him,” warnedEncyclopedia.
“We’dbetterkeeponourguard,”agreedSally.“He’slikeaspinningrestaurant—alwaystryingtoturnthetables.”
“I supposeweought to thankhim,” saidEncyclopedia. “His troublemakingbrings inbusiness.”
“That remindsme,” saidSally. “I camebyaroundnoonand sawDukeKelly, oneofBugs’sTigers,stealingoutofthedetectiveagency.Wherewereyou?”
“Out,”saidEncyclopedia.“Ireceiveda telephonecallfromaboywhocalledhimselfMikeGaither,”saidEncyclopedia.“Heaskedme tomeethimoutby theold lighthouserightaway.Iwaitedthereanhour.Henevershowedup.”
“Aphonytelephonecall….Then,whileyouweregone,DukeKelly….”Sallyfrowned.“IsmellBugsMeany!”
“I doubt that Bugs will bother us for a while,” said Encyclopedia. “He’s too busybuildinghimselfintoMr.JuniorIdaville.”
“Mr.JuniorIdaville?”askedSally.
“TheY.M.C.A.isholdingabody-buildingcontestnextweek,”saidEncyclopedia.“ThemanwiththebestbuildwillbecrownedMr.Idaville.ThetitleMr.JuniorIdavillewillgototheboywiththebiggestmuscles.”
“IfBugstakesoffhishat,he’sacinchtowin,”saidSally.
Just then a police car stopped in the Brown driveway. Officer Friedman got out,followedbyBugsMeany.TheTigerleaderworeabathingsuitandabeautifulsuntan.
OfficerFriedmangotout,followedbyBugsMeanyinabathingsuitandabeautifulsuntan.
“I’ve said all summer this detective business isn’t on the level. It’s just a front forpassingstolengoods!”exclaimedBugs.
“Cooloff,Bugs,” saidOfficerFriedman.And toEncyclopediahe said, “Bugsclaimsyouhavehiswristwatch.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Oh,yesyoudo!”bellowedBugs.“Thosetwogorillasgaveittoyou!”
“Huh?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Don’t looksosweetandinnocent,”growledBugs.“ThosetwobigguyscameuponmewhileIwaslyingonthebeachatnoontoday.Theytookthewatchrightoffmywrist.Ifollowedthemtotheroad.Isawthemgivethewatchtoyou.”
“Wherewereyouatnoontoday?”OfficerFriedmanaskedEncyclopedia.
“Iwasoutat theoldlighthouse,”answeredEncyclopedia,andheexplainedabout themysterioustelephonecall.
“Didanyoneseeyouatthelighthouse?”askedOfficerFriedman.
“Noonesawme.Iwaitedanhourandthencamehome,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Hewasoutat the lighthouse,butnoonesawhim!” jeeredBugs.“Boy, if Icouldn’tthinkupabetteralibi,I’deatmyhead!”
“Your mouth is big enough,” snapped Sally. “What were you doing on the beachanyway?”
Bugsstruttedinthedoorway.“Iwasgettingthissuntan,”hesaid.“Meet thenextMr.JuniorIdaville.”
Heliftedhisarmandmadeamuscle.
“Asuntanmakesyourmusclesstandoutbetter,”hewenton.“Youcan’tjustliedowntobake.You’vegottokeepturningsoyoudon’tburntoomuchononeside.”
Encyclopedia had to agree thatBugs had done a good job of tanning himself. Therewasn’taspotthatwastoolightortoodarkonhisarms,legs,orbody.
“I’llbetthislittlecrookhidmywristwatchrighthere,”saidBugs.“He’splanningtosellitwhenthingscooldown.”
“Searchtheplace,”Encyclopediainvited.“Youwon’tfindyourwristwatch.”
“Oh,yeah?”sneeredBugs.
Hebegansearchingtheshelvesatthebackofthegarage.
“Gettingasuntanisarealart,”heboasted.“I’dbeentanningmyselfonthebeachthreehourswhen those twobigguys jumpedme.Onemorehourand I’dhavebeen ready towalkoffwiththeMr.JuniorIdavilletitle.”
Ashe talked,his smoothly tannedhands andwristsdipped into theboxeson the topshelf.Suddenlyhisfacelightedup.Hepulledoutawristwatch.
“Hereitis!”hecried.“Myownmothergaveittome.Itreasureitabovelifeitself!”
HeglaredatEncyclopediaandadded,“Youdirtylittlethief!”
“Stopacting,Bugs,”saidEncyclopediacalmly.“You’reonlytryingtogeteven.Itwon’twork.Yourwristwatchwasneverstolen.”
WHATWAS
ENCYCLOPEDIA’SPROOF?
(Turntopage89forthesolutiontoTheCaseofBugsMeany’sRevenge.)
TheCaseoftheCaveDrawingsElmerEvanscameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.Hewasbreathing.
Elmerneverbreathedifhedidn’thaveto.Althoughonlynine,hecouldholdhisbreathfortwominutesandfiftyseconds.
EverydayElmertriedtokeepfrombreathinganothersecond.Hewentaroundwithhislipspressedtogether,hiseyespopping,andhisfacereadytobust.
“You’relookingfine,”Encyclopediagreetedhim.“Issomethingwrong?”
“Plenty,”answeredElmer.“Whoisthechampionbreath-holderaroundtheseparts?”
“You,”saidEncyclopedia.
“That’swhatIthought,”saidElmer.Hedrewalong,heavybreath.“Untilyesterday.”
“Somebody locked his lungs for longer than twominutes and fifty seconds?” askedEncyclopedia.“Who?”
“WilfordWiggins,”saidElmer.“Hemusthaveswallowedacork.”
WilfordWigginswasahigh-schooldropoutwithmoreget-rich-quickideasthanTexansaroundaspotofoil.
“What’sWilforduptonow?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Downto,”correctedElmer.“Heclimbeddownthatholeintheoldbearcaveyesterday.SoIhadtotry,too.”
“Goodgrief!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.“Childrenaresupposedtostayawayfromthebear cave. The hole is dangerous. Poisonous gases have built up in it.You could havedied!”
“Iheldmybreath,”saidElmer.
“Didyoureachbottom?”
“Missed,”saidElmerglumly.“Iletmyselfdownwithaclothesline.AfteraminuteIhadn’treachedbottom.SoIpulledmyselfbackupbeforeIranoutofbreath.ButWilfordsaidhemadeit.”
“Howdoyouknowhedid?”demandedEncyclopedia.
“Wilford has called a secretmeeting for five o’clock at the cave,” saidElmer. “He’sgoingtotellallthekidswhathefoundinthehole.Hesayshe’llmakeusallrich.”
“Wilforddidn’tinvitemetothemeeting,”saidEncyclopediapointedly.
“He’sprobably still sore atyou,” saidElmer. “He’ll never forgethowyou ruinedhissaleofHerculesStrengthToniclastmonth.”
“Thestuffwasnothingbutsugarwater,”mutteredEncyclopedia.“IthinkI’llgotothemeetingwithyou.”
Thebearcavewasamileoutsidethetownline.WhenEncyclopediaandElmerarrived,acrowdofboysandgirlshadalreadygatheredtohearWilford.
Wilfordraisedhishandsandcalledforquiet.
Wilfordraisedhishandsandcalledforquiet.
“Doyoukidsknowwhat’sinsidethiscave?”heasked.
“Sureweknow,”saidBugsMeany.“Alotofrockandaholeinthefloorthatgoesdown
toChina.”
Wilfordlaughed.“Thatholeisfilledwithgasesthatcankillyou,”hesaid.“Nobodybutmeeverdaredgodown.”
“Howcomeyoudidn’tgetgassedtodeath?”askedCharlieStewart.
“BecauseIbreathedthroughairtanks,thesamekindskindiversuse,”repliedWilford.
“Airtanks!”whisperedElmergleefully.“ThenI’mstillthechampionbreath-holder!”
“YouwanttoknowwhatIfoundatthebottomofthathole?”criedWilford.“Anothercave,biggerthantheoneontop.Onthewallsweredrawings—donebycavemen!”
Athrillofexcitementranthroughthechildren.
“We have to keep this a secret, see?” said Wilford. “If some smart grownup hearswhat’sdownthathole,he’llbuythislandinahurry.He’llcleanupchargingtouristsandartloversthreedollarsatickettoseethosecavemandrawings!”
Thechildrennoddedinagreement.Therewasafortuneinit!
“Icanrentthisland,”saidWilford.“Ihavethemoney.ButIneedalittlemorecashtodigopenabetterwaytogettothelowercavethanbythehole.”
“Ifigureyou’dput the touchonus,”grumbledRockyGraham,oneofBugsMeany’sTigers.
“Scram,kid,”mutteredWilford.Totheotherchildrenhesaidcheerfully,“I’mgoingtolet eachandeveryoneofyoubuyapieceof thisbusiness for fivedollars.We’ll allbepartners.”
“Howdoweknowthosewallshavecavemandrawingsonthem?”askedBennyBreslin.
“After I discovered those priceless caveman drawings, I went home and got mycamera,”saidWilford.“Itookpictureswithaflashgun.”
Hepassedoutthreephotographs.
Thefirstphotographwasofawoollyrhinoceros.Thesecondwasofcavemenattackingadinosaur.Thethirdwasofachargingmammoth.
“There’stheproof!”shoutedWilford.“ThisattractionwillbebiggerthanYellowstonePark.Forfivebucksyou’llallgetashareofeveryticketsold.Sogohomeandgetyourmoney.Butremember!Don’tbreatheawordofthisgreatdiscoverytoanyone.Notevenyourmother!”
“Maybe I spoke tooquick,Wilford,”RockyGrahamapologized. “I’msorry. I’vegottendollarssaved.CanIbuytwoshares?”
“Sure,surekid,”saidWilfordgrandly.“Idon’thavethehearttokeepanybodyfromabigmoney-makingdeallikethis.”
Rockyand theotherTigers racedfor theirbikes.Theychatteredaboutusing theclubtreasurytobuyallthesharesthemselves.
Encyclopediawatched theTigerspedalaway.Thenhe told the restof thechildren toholdontotheirmoney.
“Nocavemandrewthosepictures,”hesaid.
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage90forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheCaveDrawings.)
WANTED
TheCaseoftheWantedMan“I’mnevergoingtoshave.”
Encyclopediaglancedupfromhisbook.Standingin thedoorof theBrownDetectiveAgencywassix-year-oldBryanHorton.
“You’renevergoingtoshave?”askedEncyclopedia,pretendingtobeserious.“Butyoumust.Beardsaren’tallowedinsecondgrade.”
“Shavingtakestoomuchtime,”saidBryan.“WhenIgrowupandgetmypicturetaken,I’lljustpulloffmybeard.”
“Ouch!”saidEncyclopedia.
Bryanlookedsurprised.“Doesithurttopulloffyourbeard?”
“Onlyaroundtheface,”answeredEncyclopedia.
“Themandidn’thurthimself,”saidBryan.“Hewassmiling.”
“Whatman?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Themanwhopulledoffhisbeardtohavehispicturetaken,”saidBryanimpatiently.“Whatkindofdetectiveareyou?”
Talkingwithaboyofsixwasn’talwayseasy,decidedEncyclopedia.Hestartedover.“Doyouneedhelp?”
“That’swhyI’mhere,isn’tit?”saidBryan.“Iwantyoutoreadthebigwordsundertheman’spicture.It’shanginginthepostoffice.Boy,hemustbefamous.”
“Famous?” yelped Encyclopedia. “He’s a wanted man. Only dangerous crooks havetheirpictureshanginginthepostoffice!”
Encyclopediarolledouthisbike.HeputBryanonthecrossbarandrodeswiftlytothepostoffice.
“AfterIsawthemanpulloffhisbeard,myMomtookmewithhertomailapackage,”saidBryan. “She got awful sorewhen I playedwith the stampmachine. Shemademestandoverthere.”
Hepointed toabulletinboardon thepostofficewall.Abunchofsmallpostersweretackedtoonecorner.
“That’shim,”saidBryan.“Theoneontop.”
Encyclopedia saw two photographs of a clean-shaven young man. One showed himfull-faced,theotherfromtheside.Thereweresmallpicturesofeachofhistenfingerprintsandalineofheavytype:“WANTEDFORARMEDHOLDUP.”
Encyclopediareadfurther:“WilliamMatson,aliasBilly,Bill,TheKid.”BelowthiswassmallertypegivingMatson’slongcriminalrecord.
“Wow!ThisisacaseforDad,”exclaimedEncyclopedia.
Hetelephonedhisfatheratonce.ThenhequestionedBryan.
HelearnedthatBryannowlivedattheBeachMotel,whichhisfatherhadjustbought.ThatmorningBryanhadseenthewantedman,WilliamMatson,getintohiscar,pulloffhisbeard,anddriveaway.
Bryanhadseenthewantedmangetintohiscar,pulloffhisbeard,anddriveaway.
“Hewasn’tgoingtohavehispicturetaken,”explainedEncyclopedia.“Thisphotographwastakenthreeyearsago.See,there’sthedate.Thebeardwasfake.Heworeitsonobodywouldknowhim.”
When Chief Brown arrived at the post office, Encyclopedia repeated what he hadlearned.
“MatsonmustnothaveseenBryan,”saidChiefBrown.“Otherwise,hewouldnothaveriskedtakingoffhisbeard.Itprobablyitched.Sohetookitoffassoonashecould.”
“Doyouthinkhe’llcomebacktothemotel?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Littlechanceofthat,”repliedChiefBrown.“Butperhapsheleftaclueinhisroomthatwilltelluswhereheisgoing.”
ChiefBrownreturnedtothepatrolcar.Encyclopediadidnotseehimagaintilldinner.
ChiefBrownfinishedhisbarleysoupbeforebringingupthecase.
“WilliamMatsonspentaweekattheBeachMotelunderthenameBillMartin.Hepaidhisbillanddrovetotheairport.
“Howdidyoufindthatout,Dad?”
“Bryan’s fatherwrites down the license plate numbers of everyonewho stops at hismotel,”saidChiefBrown.“Matson’slicensebeganwithanE,thelettergiventoallrentedcarsinthestate.WetracedthecartotheairportbranchofEasyCarRentalService.”
“DidMatsongetonaplane?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Verylikely,”saidChiefBrown.“Butheusessomanydifferentnamesthathecan’tbetracedasapassenger.”
ChiefBrowntookaslipofpaperfromhispocketbeforecontinuing.
“Bryan’sfatheroverheardMatsontalkingonthepaytelephone,”saidChiefBrown.“Hedidn’thearmuchexceptthewords,‘tickettoMoscow.’Matsonwroteseveralplacesonapad inhis room.He forgot thathispencil dug into the sheet beneath. I had thewritingbroughtout.”
ChiefBrownpassed the paper toEncyclopedia.On itwaswritten:Moscow,Odessa,London,Paris,Palestine,Athens.
“Matsonhasbeenmixedupinjewelrythefts,”saidChiefBrown.“HemusthavehiddeninIdavilletillhethoughtitwassafetomovehisloot.Thatlistmustbeofplaceswherehehopestosellthestolenjewels.”
Mrs.Brownpickedupthepieceofpaper.Shestudieditforalongmoment.
“It’sastrange list,”shesaid.“Twocities inRussia—MoscowandOdessa.Then lookhere.LondonisinEngland,ParisisinFrance,andAthensisinGreece.Buthedidn’tlistanycityinPalestine.”
“That struck me as odd, too,” said Chief Brown. “I want Leroy to examine the listbefore I callWashington. I don’t want the F.B.I. to check planes landing overseas fornothing.”
Encyclopediahadclosedhiseyes.Hewasdoinghisdeepestthinking.
“Matsondidn’tflyacrosstheocean,”hesaid.“You’llfindhimin—”
WHERE?
(Turntopage91forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheWantedMan.)
TheCaseoftheAngryCookEncyclopediaandSallywere indowntownIdavillewhentheysawaveryshortsailor
sneakinginandoutofdoorways.
Ashedrewcloser, thedetectives recognizedCiceroSturgess, Idaville’sgreatestchildactor.
“WhyshouldCicerodressasasailor?”saidSally.“Hehatesboatswithallhisheartandstomach.”
Encyclopediacouldonlyagree.Aftergettingseasickonasubmarinesandwichlastyear,Cicerohadthrownacurseupontheshipsoftheworld.
“Heprobablyisinanewplay,”saidSallyasanafterthought.“Thesailorsuitmustbehiscostume.”
“He’sactingstrangely,”saidEncyclopedia.“Somethinghasscaredthetaroutofhim.”
Cicerospiedthepartners.Heduckedintoadoorwayandbeckonedtothemdesperately.Themomenttheycamewithinreach,hethrewhimselfuponEncyclopedia.
“Acazycrookjusttriedtokillme!”hewailed.
“Whatkindofcrook?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Imean,acrazycook,”saidCicero.
“Acooktriedtopoisonyou?”exclaimedSally.
“Hetriedtocutmyheadoff—swsssht!”saidCicero,slicingtheairlikeoneofthethreemusketeers.“HechasedmewithaknifebigenoughtochopdownGrant’sTomb.”
Cicero threw up his arms andmoaned, “I never should have cursed the ships of theworld.”Then,rememberinghewasnotonstage,herelatedwhathadhappenedtohim.
When thedestroyerJohnAdams had docked at Idaville last night, he had decided tostudyhowrealseamenbehaved.
“I’m going to be in a play about the Navy,” he said. “So I took all mymoney, tendollars, and followed the sailors around.Mostly theywent into restaurants. I stuffed inhamburgersandlistenedtothemtalkallmorning.WhenIgottoTheBeefyBurgerPalace,Iwasnearlybroke.”
“Youatetendollarsworthofhamburgersinonemorning?”criedSally.
“Heavens, no!” said Cicero. “It cost me three dollars to rent this uniform and fourdollarsmoretohaveitshortened.”
“TheBeefyBurgerPalace,”saidEncyclopedia.“Isthatwhereyouranintothecutthroatcook?”
“Yes,notfiveminutesago,”saidCicero.“AfterIpaidmycheck,Ihadonlytwocentsleft.Itwasn’tenoughforatip.Iwassoashamed!Icrawledout.”
“Crawled?”saidSally.“Onyourhandsandknees?”
“Itwasthefastestway,”saidCicero.“AsIturnedtoleave,Ibumpedintoabigsailorstand-ingrightbehindme.Ifelldownandcrawledoutthedoor.“
ThecookmasrunningafterCicero.Hewaswavinghisknifeandscreaming,“1fixyougood!”
“That’swhenthecookcameatyou?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Not quite,” answeredCicero. “I’dwalked a blockwhen I heard sounds like a truckback-firing.Thenext thing I knew, the cookwas running afterme.Hewaswavinghisknifeandscreaming,‘Ifixyougood!’Ididn’targue.Itookoff.”
“Whatdidthesailorlooklike?”askedEncyclopedia.“Theoneyoubumpedinto?”
“Ididn’tseehisface,”saidCicero.“Anyway,whathashegottodowithit?”
“Idon’tknow—yet,”saidEncyclopedia.“Waithere.”
Leaving Cicero in the doorway, Encyclopedia and Sally went to The Beefy BurgerPalaceonFourthStreet, Inside the little restaurantOfficerWebbwas talkingwithabigsailorandacook.
“Wedidn’tgethereasecondtoosoon,”saidEncyclopedia.
“I’ve never been in here before in my life,” the sailor was telling OfficerWebb. “Ididn’ttrytopullastickup.Theremustbethreehundredsailorsintowntoday.He’smadeamistake.”
“Nomistake!”shoutedthecook.“Youhadapartner—alittleguy.Ishouldhaveknown.Theydon’tletshrimpslikehimintotheUnitedStatesNavy!”
“Mygosh,”whisperedSally.“Ithinkhe’stalkingaboutCicero!”
“The little guy—he looked like a kid—sat right here at the counter,” said the cook.“Whentheplacewasempty,hegotupandpaid.Heactedfunny.”
“Funny?”questionedOfficerWebb.
“Sortofnervous,”saidthecook.“Heturnedtogoandbumpedintohispartnerhereandfelldown.While Iwaswatching the littleguycrawlout thedoor, thisbigonepulledagun.Seehowtheyworkedit?Slick!”
“Thenwhatdidyoudo?”saidOfficerWebb.
“Thisbigfellowtoldmetohandoverallmymoney.Instead,Idivedbehindthecounter.Hefiredafewshots,gotscared,andbeatit.”
“Youkepthiminsightwhileyougavechase?”
“Well,notquite,”saidthecook.“WhenIgotoutside,Isawthelittleshrimpfirst.Hetookofffasterthanarabbit.Ifiguredthetwoofthemhadsplitup.SoIdoubledbacktolookforthebigfellow.IsawhimonThirdStreet.That’swhenIholleredtoyou,officer.”
“I tell you he’smade amistake,” protested the big sailor. “Look, officer.When youbroughtmebackhere,didI fight?No!DidIhaveagun!No!SohowmanytimesdoIhavetosayit?You’vegotthewrongman!”
“Hemusthavethrownthegunaway,”growledthecook.
“Ibelievethebigsailor,”SallywhisperedtoEncyclopedia.“Thecookmadeamistake.”
“Whatmakesyousocertain?”
“He’snotverysmartifhethinksCicerohadahandinastickup!”
“The cook didn’t make a mistake. Cicero brought suspicion upon himself,” repliedEncyclopedia.“Thebigsailorisguilty!”
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage92forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheAngryCook.)
TheCaseoftheMissingRingBecauseof Idaville’swonderfulpolice record,ChiefBrownwasoftenasked to solve
casesinothertowns.
OneeveninghereceivedacalltohelpthepoliceofOceanCity.HetookEncyclopediawithhim.
“Whatisthecaseallabout?”askedEncyclopedia,gettingintothecarbesidehisfather.
“Aringismissing,”answeredChiefBrown.“TwomaskedmenbrokeintothehomeofMr.JamesBevanlastnight.Butnoone,includingMr.Bevan,issuretheringwasstolen.
“Howcome?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Ididn’tgetall the factsover the telephone,” repliedChiefBrown.“But themysteryhas to dowithMr. Bevan himself. He lost hismemory.He left a note, but he doesn’trememberwritingit.»
Encyclopedia had never come up against anything like that. The half hour’s driveseemedtotakeallnight.
Atlasthisfatherslowedthecarandparkedbeforealargehouse.
ChiefMooreoftheOceanCitypolicedepartmentappearedatthedoor.
“I’mgladyoucouldcome,”hesaid.“Thiscasehasmegoingaroundincircles.”
Aftershakinghands,heledEncyclopediaandhisfatherintothestudy.
“ThehousebelongstoMr.JamesBevan,”hesaid.“Thetheftofthering—iftherewasatheft—tookplacelastnight.”
“Whatdoestheringlooklike?”askedChiefBrown.
“It’sadiamondring,”saidChiefMoore.“ItbelongedtoKingLouisXIVofFrance.It’sworthafortune!”
ChiefMoorepointedtoatinyglassboxwhichlayonthedeskbesideatypewriter.
“Mr.Bevankepttheringintheglassboxtoadmireit,”hesaid.“Itwastoosmalltofithisfinger.”
Then,for thenextfewminuteshe toldChiefBrownandEncyclopediawhatheknewaboutthecase.Thefactswere:
Onthenightofthetheft,Mrs.Bevanhadgonetoamovie.Mr.Bevanhadstayedhome,
forheneededacanetogetaroundandseldomwentout.
Aboutmidnightthedoorbellrang.Mr.Bevan,whowasaloneinthehouse,opened.thedoor. Two masked men pushed their way inside. They demanded to know where thediamondringwaskept.
Mr.Bevantoldthemitwasupstairsinhiswife’sjewelrycase.Hewantedtimetohidethering.Asthemenstartedupstairs,oneofthemhithimontheheadwithagun.
“That’sallMr.Bevancantellme,”saidChiefMoore.“Ispokewithhimthismorninginthehospital.Hecan’trememberathingthathappenedbetweenthetimehewashitandthemomenthewokeupinthehospital.”
“DidthetwothievesstealMrs.Bevan’sjewels?”askedChiefBrown.
“Yes,butMrs.Bevansaysthewholelotisn’tworthhalfofthediamondring.”
“IsthereanycluetoprovethatMr.Bevan,afterhewashitonthehead,hidthediamondringsothethievescouldn’tfindit?”saidChiefBrown.
“Thistypewrittennote,”saidChiefMoore,takingasheetofpaperfromhispocket.HeshowedittoChiefBrownandEncyclopedia.Itread:
“Twomentriedtostealthediamondring.Theyhuntedalloverthehouse,ravingaboutlikemadmen.Theyevensplitopenthecat!Whenallfailed,theybeatme,butIdidn’ttellandsotheyhuntedalittlewhilelonger.Imaybedying.Ihidtheringinthevane.”
“If Iunderstand thecasesofar,”saidChiefBrown,“Mr.Bevanwrote thenote tohiswifewhilethethievessearchedthehouse.Hefearedhewasdyingfromthebeatingandmightnotlivetotellwherehehidthediamond.”
“Correct,”saidChiefMoore.“Hemusthaveputthenoteinadrawerofthedeskafterthethieveshadsearchedit.Nowhecan’trememberanything.Hecan’trecallhidingthediamondringortypingthenote.”
“Whofoundhim?”askedChiefBrown.
“Hiswife—whenshereturnedfromthemovie,”saidChiefBrown.“Hewas lyingonthefloornearthedesk.”
“Didyoulookfortheringinthevane?”askedChiefBrown.“Thenotesayshehiditthere.”
“TheonlyvaneMr.Bevanknowsofistheweathervaneontheroof,”saidChiefMoore.“Itookitdown.Theringwasn’tinsideit.”
“Whataboutthecat?”
“Thatpartisthebiggestmystery,”saidChiefMoore.“Whyshouldthievessplitopenacat,unlesstheythoughtthepooranimalhadswallowedthering?”
Mrs.Bevanreturnedandfoundhimlyingonthefloornearthedesk.
“Didyoufinditsbody?”askedChiefBrown.
“No,”answeredChiefMoore.“Mr.Bevanneverownedacat.Isupposeacatmusthavegot into the house somehow, and the thieves took no chances. They looked into
everything.Why,theytorethehouseapart.Comewithme.”
He led Encyclopedia and Chief Brown down to the basement. It was in ruins.Everythingwasoverturned.Alargewoodenbarrel,orvat,hadbeensplitopen.Winefromitspilledoverthefloor.
“Thismorning the rest of the house looked as bad,” said ChiefMoore.Mrs. Bevanworkedalldaywiththehelpofneighborsstraighteningup,»
“Perhapsthethievesdidfindthediamondring,”saidChiefBrown.“Theymighthavetypedthenotethemselvestothrowusofftheirtrail.”
“No,theydidn‘t,Dad,”whisperedEncyclopedia.“Thediamondringishiddenin—”
WHERE?
(Turntopage93forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheMissingRing.)
TheCaseoftheMoney-changerHector Conklin pushed a wheelbarrow full of old socks into the Brown Detective
Agency.Thesocksclinked.
Heputtwenty-fivecentsonthegasolinecanbesideEncyclopedia.“Iwanttohireyouinahurry,”hesaid.
“What’stheproblem?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Ineedchange,”saidHector.Hewavedtowardthesocks.“They’refilledwithpennies.IwasonmywaytoputtheminthebankwhenRedSlatterysawme.Ihadtopullinhere.”
“Oh,”saidEncyclopedia,understanding.
RedSlatterywasatoughteenager.Hewentfromneighborhoodtoneighborhoodaskingchildrentochangeaquarterforhim.Whenhegotalltheirmoney,heforgottogivethemhisquarter.
“IfRedfindsoutwhat’sinthesocks,I’mruined,”wailedHector.“Thepenniesaremylife’ssavings.I’vegottogiveRedtheslip!”
Encyclopediaconsideredthecase.
HecouldmakechangeforHectorandlethimsneakthroughthehouseandoutbytheback door. But then he would be stuck with Red Slattery and a wheelbarrow full ofpennies!
Hectorpeekedoutthegaragedoor.“Red’sdowntheblock.He’swaitingformetocomeout.I’mtrappedlikeadog!”
“Don’tpanic,”saidEncyclopedia,asmuchtohimselfastoHector.
“You’vegot togetmeoutofhere,quick!”criedHector.“Idon’tdarerefuse tomakechangeforRed.Noonedoes.BugsMeanytriedlastweekandyouknowwhathappened.”
“Ik-know,”saidEncyclopediaunsteadily.“BugstoldRedtoputahatinhismouth.SoRedemptiedBugs’spocketsandthrewhimintoMillCreek.”
“SomebodyoughttotellagrownupaboutwhatRedisdoing.Butallthekidsarescaredstiff—likeme,”saidHectordisgustedly.
“That’stheanswer!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.“We’vegottohaveagrownupcatchRedintheact!Howmuchmoneyisinthesocks?”
“Fifteendollarsandeightcents,”answeredHector.“Redwillgetitallifwedon’tmovefast.”
“Wewill,”saidEncyclopedia.“Followme.”
HeledHectorthroughthehouse,outthebackdoor,acrossMr.Colby’syard,andtoMr.Link’sbackdoor.
Mr.Linkwasanartistandworkedathome.Hewasalsoacoincollector.
Encyclopedia told him about Red Slattery. Mr. Link agreed to watch Red’s money-changingtrick.
Encyclopediaaskedforaloanofsevendollarsandnineteencents.HectorwouldhavetohavemoneywhenRedaskedforchange,heexplained.
“We’ll need one five-dollar bill, a one-dollar bill, one half-dollar, one quarter, fourdimes,andfourpennies,”saidtheboysleuth.
AfterMr. Link had left the living room to fetch themoney,Hector said, “We couldmarkthebills.ThenRedcouldn’tdenyhetookthemoney.”
“No,Redmightnoticethemarksandbescaredoff,”saidEncyclopedia.“We’llcopythenumbersofthebillsanddatesofthecoinsonasheetofpaper.”
Mr. Link returned with the money. Encyclopedia copied the numbers and the dates.ThenhehadHectoremptyhispockets.Mr.LinksawthatHectorhadnomoneyofhisowntohelpmakechangeforRed.
“Now return to the garage the way we came,” Encyclopedia told Hector, “and thencomebackhereby thesidewalk.Besureyoustop right in frontof thehouse.Mr.LinkmustbeabletoseeandheareverythingRedsaysanddoes.”
“Gladtohelp,”saidHector.“Whatdoyouwantchangefor?”
HectorgrabbedthesevendollarsandnineteencentsandracedoutMr.Link’sbackdoor.AminutelaterEncyclopediasawhimapproachingonthesidewalk.
Red’svoicecalled,“Hey,kid!Waitasecond.”
HectorstoppedinfrontofMr.Link’shouse.
“Ineedsomechange,”saidRed,comingup.
“Gladtohelp,”saidHector.HetookoutMr.Link’smoney.“Whatdoyouwantchangefor?”
AtthatmomentEncyclopediaandMr.Linktooktheirgazefromthewindow.Mrs.Linkhadenteredtheroom.“It’stimeforlunch,”shesaidtoMr.Link.
“Inamoment,dear,”repliedMr.Link.“Inamoment!”
He and Encyclopedia turned from Mrs. Link and looked outside again. Red waswalkingaway,grinning.
“Wemissedit!”thoughtEncyclopedia.
Mr.Linkranfromthehouse.“Holdit,son,”heshouted.
Redstoppedandturnedarounduneasily.
“Didyoujusttakemoneyfromthisboy?”demandedMr.Link.
“Ididn’ttakeanything,”retortedRed.“Igotchange.”
“Let’sseethemoneyhegaveyou,”saidMr.Link.
Redglared.“Idon’thavetoshowyouanything,ortellyouanything,”hesaid.“You’renocop.Iknowmyrights!”
“IfImadechangeforyou,where’sthemoneyyougaveme?”saidHector.Hepulledhispocketsinsideout.“Idon’thaveacent.”
RedpointedtoadraininthegutternearHector.
“YoudroppedallthemoneyIgaveyoudownthedrain,remember?”hesaid.“Clumsyofyou,kid.”
Mr.LinkturnedtoEncyclopediaworriedly.
“Thatcouldhavehappenedwhilewebothlookedatmywife,”hesaidtoEncyclopedia.“ItwillbeRed’swordagainstHector’s.WithoutusingforcetosearchRed,wecan’tprovehestolethesevendollarsandnineteencents.”
“Oh,yeswecan!”saidEncyclopedia.
HOW?
(Turntopage94forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheMoney-Changer.)
TheCaseoftheFallingWomanEncyclopediawassittingintheKimballlivingroomafterdinnerwhenSallysuddenly
clutchedhisarm.
“Listen,”shewhispered.“Someoneisoutsidethehouse.”
Encyclopedia also had heard the noise. He looked at thewindow. Since it was darkoutside and light inside, the glass of the window acted as a mirror. He saw only thereflectionofthelivingroom.
“ItcouldbeoneofthosepeepingToms!”saidSally.“I’llfixhim.”Shereachedforaheavyfloorlamp.
“Don’t try it,” warned Encyclopedia. “He may be dangerous. Make believe you’regoingtothebookcase.Switchoffthelightsasyoupassthedoor.”
Sallydidnotunderstand.Nevertheless,shegotupandswitchedoffthelights.
Nowtheroomwasdarker thanthemoonlitoutdoors.Encyclopediacouldseethroughthewindow.
Aboywasstandingunderasycamoretree.Heheldacamera.
“It’sScottCurtis,”saidEncyclopedia,openingthewindow.
Sallywashorrified.“Inearlycrownedhimwithafloorlamp!”
“You can catch a terrible headache snooping under the sycamores, Scott,” calledEncyclopedia.“Comeinside.”
“Iwasn’tsnooping,”saidScottasheenteredthehouse.“Isawyoutwosittingonthesofa.Ithoughtyou’dmakeanicepicture.Iwasgoingtocallit‘SittingatSally’s.’”
“YoumeanlyingatSally’s!”snappedSally.“Whatwereyoureallydoing in thebackyardwithacamera?”
“I was looking for things to photograph,” said Scott. “Wednesday is the JuniorPhotographyShow.Firstprizeisathree-speedbicycle.”
“Gosh, I forgotabout theshow. I’msorry forwhat I said,”Sallyapologized.“Ihopeyouwinthebicycle.”.
“The best I can do is the lady’s folding umbrella,” said Scott. “That’s second prize.WinthropLedbetterwillwinthebicycle.”
“Winthropalwayswins,”grumbledSally.
“Byhookorbycrook,”addedScott.
“EverykidintheneighborhoodknowshowWinthropwontheboys’championshipsattennis,golf,andriflerylastyear,”saidSally.“Hecheated.”
“I’msorryIdidn’treporthim,”saidEncyclopedia,remembering.WheneverWinthrophadfallenbehind inamatch,a friendhadcometo therescue.ThefriendhadscreamedbirdcallsfromhidingjustasWinthrop’sopponentwasserving,putting,orshooting.
“Itwascuckoosatthecourts,goshawksatthegreens,androadrunnersattherange,”recalledEncyclopedia.“Thefriendhadstyle.”
“Winthropwilltryanythingtowin,”saidScott.“IwanttohireyouonWednesdaytobe…well,tobeakindofwatchdog.”
“Birddog,youmean,”saidEncyclopedia,andagreedtotakethecase.
OnWednesday,EncyclopediaandSallybikedtotheAmericanLegionHall.ThewallswerehungwithphotographstakenbytheyoungcameramenofIdaville.
ScottCurtishadfourpicturesintheshow.EncyclopediawasthinkingthatScottwouldbehardtobeatwhenSallytuggedathissleeve.
“Winthrophasonlyonepicture,”shesaid.“Butwaittillyouseeit!”
EncyclopediablinkedashegazeduponWinthrop’sphotograph.
It showeda teenagegirl touching a flamingmatch to aChristmas candle.Beside thecandlestoodapileofgiftswhichwaslightedbytwotablelamps.
Whatmadethepictureamazing,however,wasthesecondfigure.Itwasawoman.Shecouldbeseenfallingoutsidethelargewindowbehindtheteenagegirl.
Thepicturewastitled“ChristmasMiracle.”Besideitwaspinnedawhitecardonwhichwaswritten:
ThisphotographwastakenDecember16,at9:30P.M.,byWinthropLedbetter,age11,inthelivingroomofhisparents’apartment.AtthemomentWinthropsnappedthepictureofhisteenagesisterMary,MissAbigailGreerwastopplingfromtheapartmenthouseroofone story above. Miss Greer’s falling body made this startling background for aphotographthatwasmeanttobeusedastheLedbetterfamily’sChristmascard.
MissGreerlatersaidshehadlostherfootinginthestormwindsthatreached40milesanhour.Byamiracle,shelandedonanawningandsufferedonlyabrokenleg.
ThepicturewastakenwithaCrowncameraandflashgun.
Shecouldbeseenfallingoutsidethelargewindowbehindtheteenagegirl.
Encyclopediasaidslowly,“There’ssomethingwronginthatpicture….”
“Findoutwhatitis,buthurry!”saidSally.“Herecomethejudges.”
Threemenweremarching towardWinthrop’s photograph.One of themen carried ablueribbon.
“They’re going to give Winthrop first prize —and the bicycle!” said Sally.“Encyclopedia,you’vegottotellthemthepictureisnothingbutafake!Itis…isn’tit?”
Encyclopediadidn’tseemtobelistening.Hewasgazingintentlyatthepicture.
Suddenlyhesmiled.
“It’safake,allright,”hesaid.“Winthropcouldn’thavesnappedthatpicturewithoutarealmiracle!”
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage95forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheFallingWoman.)
TheCaseoftheRedBoat“Allsetforthefish,son?”askedChiefBrown.
Encyclopedialiftedhisfishingpole.“Allset,”heansweredsmiling.
Hedidn’treallyfeellikesmiling.Hefeltlikeaskingquestions.Hehadseenhisfatherslipagunintothelunchbox.
During the drive to the docks, Encyclopedia finally got up courage to ask, “Arewereallygoingfishing,Dad?”
“Ofcourse,”repliedChiefBrown.“Whydoyouask?”
“Youbroughtagun,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Oh…” said Chief Brown. “You saw it?Well, I don’t expect we’ll meet trouble. Ibroughtitalongjustincase.”
“Incaseofwhat?”
“Doyouremembertherobberyfourdaysagodownintheislands?”ChiefBrownsaid.
“Twoarmedmenrobbedoneofthemillionaire’shomes,”saidEncyclopedia.“Theygotawaywiththreehundredthousanddollarsworthofjewelsandfurs.”
“Therobbersescapedbymotorboat,”saidChiefBrown.
“Thatwasfourdaysago.Youdon’tthinkthey’restillatsea!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.
“It’s possible,” said Chief Brown. “About the time the robbersmade their escape, astormbroke.The rains lastedonly anhouror so.But therehavebeenhighwindsuntiltoday.”
“Doyoubelievethewindsblewtherobbers’boatouttosea?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Therobberscouldstillbeatsea,outofgasanddrifting,”saidChiefBrown.“Butlet’sforgetaboutthem.Let’sthinkaboutfish.”
Atthedocks,Encyclopediahelpedhisfatherunloadthecar.Theyboughticeandbaitatthe littlestoreby thegaspumps.Wheneverythingwasaboard,ChiefBrownstarted themotor.
“Castoff,”hecalled.
Encyclopedia undid the lines. The boatwas a twenty footerwith an outboardmotor.ChiefBrownrentedherthreeorfourSundayseachsummer.
“We’lltryourluckintheoceanfirst,”saidChiefBrown.“Ifnothingisbiting,wecancomeclosertoshoreandtryforsnapperandflounder.”
Theboatmovedsmoothlyacrossthecalmwatersofthebay.Onceintheocean,ChiefBrownspeededup.Astheshorefellfartherandfartherbehind,Encyclopediathoughtoftherobbers.
Whatifheandhisfathermetthematsea?
The robberswerearmed.Would they try tocomeaboard likepirates?Orwould theythrowthestolenjewelsandfursintotheoceanandsaytheywereharmlessboatmen?
ForseveralminutesChiefBrownlookedthroughfieldglassesatasmallredboatinthedistance.
According to the newspaper stories, the two robbers hadwornmasks.No one knew
whattheylookedlike.Asithadbeendark,noonecouldbesureofwhattheirboatlookedlike-onlythatitwasnotwhite.
ChiefBrownslowedthemotor.HehandedEncyclopediaafishingrod.“Timetotryourluck,”hesaid.
The fish were biting. Father and son had landed ten beauties when Chief Brownsuddenlyputasidehisrod.Forseveralminuteshelookedthroughfieldglassesatasmallredboatinthedistance.
ThenhecalledtheCoastGuardontheship-to-shoreradio.
WithinfortyminutesaCoastGuardcuttercamealongside.Itcarriedabiggunonthefrontdeck.
ChiefBrowngreeted the captain. “I think that’s the onewe’ve been looking for,” hesaid,pointingtotheredboat.“Iwouldhavemovedcloser,butmysoniswithme.”
“Betterdropanchorandcomeaboard,”saidthecaptain.“Thiswillbethesafestplaceifthereisshooting.”
ChiefBrownputovertheanchor.HeandEncyclopediaclimbedaboardthecutter.Thecaptainshoutedorders.Thecutterheadedforthesmallredboat.
Atfirsttheredboatseemedempty.ThenEncyclopediasawaman.Hecameoutofthetinycabinandwaved.
The cutter swung alongside.A rope ladderwas dropped, and theman reached for itweakly.ThreeCoastGuardsmenhelpedhimaboard.
“Thankgoodnessyousawus!”themangasped,steppingontothedeckofthecutter.Hetookoffhiscap.Withahandkerchiefhewiped theheavysweat fromhisbaldheadandface.“Water,please,”hesaid.“Water!”.
Waterwasbrought.Themandrankitingreatgulps.
“I’mRodneyAscot,”hesaidatlast.“BenPageandIwereoutforaday’sfishingwhenthestormhitus.Thewaveswereterrible.Theradiowentdeadrightaway.Seawatergotintothegas,andtheenginequit.”
Againhedriedthesweatfromhisheadandfacewithhishandkerchief.
“We’vebeendrifting four dayswithout food andwater,” hewent on. “Wehad somefood in a chest, but it was washed overboard with our fishing things. Ben passed outyesterdayfromthirst.He’sinthecabin.”
Ben Page was immediately brought onto the cutter and taken below. Roger Ascotfollowedhim.
Chief Brown climbed down the rope ladder. For a fewminutes he looked carefullyaroundtheredboat.
“There’swaterinthegas,allright,”hesaid.“Theradiodoesn’twork,andIdon’tseeanyfoodordrinkingwater.”
“Howaboutguns?”saidEncyclopedia.“Andthestolenjewelsandfurs?”
“Theboatisclean,”saidChiefBrown.“Imayhavemadeamistake.RogerAscotandBenPagedon’tappeartobetherobbers.”
“Don’tbelieveRogerAscot’sstory,”warnedEncyclopedia.“Hehasthefaceofaliar!”
WHATDIDENCYCLOPEDIAMEAN?
(Turntopage96forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheRedBoat.)
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheSilverfruitBowlChiefBrown’swordspointedouttoEncyclopediawhereMr.Holthadlied.
Chief Brown said that the silver fruit bowl “was rounded inside like a bigspoon.”
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforMr.Holt,lookingintothefruitbowl,togetagoodideaofwhattheholdupmanlookedlike,asheclaimed.
Lookintoashinyspoon.Whatdoyousee?Youseeyourselfasinamirror,but-upsidedown!
Shownhowimpossiblehisstorywas,Mr.Holttoldthetruth.Hehadmadeupthe holdupman.Hehad stolen the silver dishes himself, hoping to sell them inanothercityandkeepallthemoney.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheDwarf’sBeardBugsclaimedhehadburnedthecandleintheclubhousewiththedooropen.
Further, he said he had not touched the candle after placing it on the orangecrate.
But the dwarf faced the door, from where the breeze came. And “all thedrippings”ofthemeltedwaxwereonthefrontofthedwarf.
Bugshadnevernoticedthatcandlesdriponthesideawayfromabreeze.
IfBugshadbeen telling the truth, thedrippingswouldhave spilleddown thedwarf’sback!
Caughtlying,hereturnedthecandlestoGary.
SolutiontoTheCaseofBugsMeany’sRevengeBugssaidhehadbeentanninghimself“forthreehours”whenthetwobigmen
“tookthewatchrightoffmywrist.”
Yet“therewasn’taspot”onBugs“thatwastoolightortoodarkonhisarms,legs,orbody.”Further,hishandsandwristswere“smoothlytanned.”
HadBugs really been robbed as he claimed, therewould have been awhite,untannedmarkaroundhiswristwherethewatchhadbeenwornforthreehoursinthesun!
Bugs confessed. He had sent Encyclopedia on a wild-goose chase with thetelephone call.ThenDukeKelly, one of hisTigers, had slipped into theBrowngarageandhiddenthewatchintheboxforBugstofind.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheCaveDrawingsEncyclopediaknewthatWilfordWigginshaddrawnthecavepictureshimself
andthenphotographedthem.
One of the photographs which Wilford passed around showed a drawing of“cavemenattackingadinosaur.”ThatwasWilford’smistake!
Humanbeingsdidnotliveonearthatthesametimethatthedinosaursdid.
Thefirstmandidnotappearuntilmillionsofyearsafterthelastdinosaurhaddied.
Since the cavemen artists did not even know that dinosaurs ever lived, theycouldnothaveknownwhatadinosaurlookedlike!
BecauseofEncyclopedia’s.sharpeye,Wilfordwentoutofthecavebusiness.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheWantedManEncyclopediasawwhatwaswrong—theword“Palestine.”
Palestine is the old name for Israel. IfWilliamMatsonwere going there, hewouldhavewrittenIsrael.
SoEncyclopediaknewthelistwasnotwhatitseemedatfirstglance—namesofforeignplaces.
HetoldhisfatherthatMatsonhadflowntoTexas.
Andthatiswherethepolicearrestedhim—inamotelinPalestine,Texas.
Encyclopedia remembered thatMoscow, Odessa, London, Paris, Athens, andPalestinearenamesoftownsinTexas!
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheAngryCookThebigsailorgavehimselfawaywithoneword.
AfterEncyclopediaandSallyarrivedatTheBeefyBurgerPalace,whatdidthebigsailorsaytoOfficerWebb?
Hesaid,“I’veneverbeeninherebeforeinmylife.”
Later,whatdidhesay?
Hesaid,“Look,officer.Whenyoubroughtmebackhere,didIfight?”
Theword“back”washisslip.
If he really had never been inTheBeefyBurger Palace before, he could nothavebeenbroughtbacktoit!
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheMissingRingEncyclopedia knew thatMr. Bevan had typed the word “cat” in his note by
mistake.
Onlythewoodbarrel,alsocalledavat,inthebasementhadbeen“splitopen.”Thiswastheclue.
Theboydetectivedidnotbelieve thatMr.Bevan,afterbeinghiton thehead,andbeatenup,couldhavetypedthenotewithoutmakingamistake.
Mr.Bevan’smistake,Encyclopedia saw,was that hehad struck the letter “v”wheneverhehadmeanttostriketheletter“c.”Theselettersarenexttoeachotheronatypewriterkeyboard.
SoMr.Bevan had typed “cat” instead of “vat,” “raving” instead of “racing.”Andwhenhewrotewherehehadhiddenthering,hehadtyped“vane”insteadof“cane.”
ThankstoEncyclopedia,theringwasfoundinMr.Bevan’scane!
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheMoney-ChangerRedknewMr.Linkwouldnotsearchhimbyforce.SoReddidn’thavetotell
howmuchchangehehadaskedforandreceived.
ButRedmadeonemistake.Headmittedhehadgotchange.
Encyclopedia,however,hadmadesureHectorcouldn’tgiveRedanychangeatall!Hectorhadsevendollarsandnineteencentsmadeupofonefive-dollarbill,aone-dollarbill,onehalfdollar,onequarter,fourdimes,andfourpennies.
Withthatinhispocket,Hectorcouldn’thavemadechangeforanycoinorbill!
OutsmartedbyEncyclopedia,Redreturnedthesevendollarsandnineteencents.Andhequitstealingfromchildrenratherthangotocourt.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheFallingWoman
As the winds of “40 miles an hour” would have blown out the match andcandle,“thelargewindow”behindWinthrop’ssistermusthavebeenclosed.
Further, the roomwas lighted by “two table lamps” and the flashgun of thecamera,whileoutsideitwasnight.
Thusthewindowshouldhaveactedasamirror.Itshouldhavemirroredwhatwasintheroom.
Yetthefallingwomancouldbeseenthroughthewindow.Impossible!
Winthrop admitted the picture was faked. He had put it together in hisdarkroom.
Sofirstprize—theblueribbonandbicycle—wasgiventoScott.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheRedBoatRogerAscot said he andBenPage had beenwithout drinkingwater for four
days.
Yet when he came aboard the Coast Guard cutter, he made a mistake—andEncyclopediacaughtitrightaway.RogerAscotwipedthesweatoffhisheadandface.
Afterfourdayswithoutadrink,RogerAscot’sbodywouldhavebeendriedout.Hecouldn’thavesweatedonedrop!
Trappedbyhislie,RogerAscotconfessed.
When he and Ben Page saw the Coast Guard cutter, they threw everythingoverboard—thestolenjewelsandfursandtheirguns.Tohelptheirstoryofbeingtwo fishermen caught in a sudden storm, they threw their food and wateroverboard,too.
Thentheymadebelievetheywereweakfromhungerandthirst.
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