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TableofContentsDedication
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TitlePage
TheCaseoftheElectricClock
TheCaseoftheBirdWatcher
TheCaseoftheKidnappedPigs
TheCaseoftheBoundCamper
TheCaseoftheJunkSculptor
TheCaseoftheTreasureMap
TheCaseoftheFiveClues
TheCaseoftheGoldRush
TheCaseoftheFlyingBoy
TheCaseoftheFootWarmer
AcampingtripwithanunexpectedvisitorEncyclopedialaybesideBennyintheirtentandcheckedhiswatch.Atnine-thirty,Bennywasstillawake,stillsilent.
Butatsevenminutesbeforeten,faintsnortsandheavybreathingarose.
“Didyouhearsomething?”whisperedBenny.“Whatwasit?”
“Whatwasit?”gaspedEncyclopedia.“Yipes!Ithoughtitwasyou!”
“L-listen,”saidBenny,asthenoisescamecloser.“Ithinkit’sabear!”
Itwasn’tabear.Itwasamanstumblingaboutinthemoonlight.Hishandswereboundbehindhim.Hewastryingtospeak,butthegaginhismouthturnedhiswordsintowildsnorts.
Encyclopediaquicklyuntiedhim.
“I’m Jack Evans,” the man panted. “Bring help! At campsite five. Robbers!Kidnappers!”
ForPaulandElaineFurman
PUFFINBOOKS
PublishedbythePenguinGroup
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RegisteredOffices:PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandFirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericabyDuttonChildren’sBooks,
adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,1970PublishedbyPuffinBooks,adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,2008
Copyright©DonaldJ.Sobol,1970
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eISBN:978-1-101-04234-2
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TheCaseoftheElectricClockWhydidthepolicealwayscatchanyonewhobrokethelawinIdaville?
Only three persons knew the secret—Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and their only child,Encyclopedia.
Andtheyweren’ttelling.
Mr.Brownwaschiefofpolice.Wheneverhewasaskedabouthissuccess,hequicklyspoke ofmany things.He spoke of Idaville’swonderful fresh air, its beaches, its threemovietheatersandfourbanks,itschurchesandsynagogues,itsLittleLeague,anditstwodelicatessens.
Butofcatchingcrookshespokenotaword.
ThepolicedepartmentsolvedmostofthecrimesinIdaville,trueenough.Thehardestcases, however, Chief Brown brought home to his red brick house on Rover Avenue.Encyclopediasolvedthemwhileeatingdinner.
Chief Brown would have liked to announce on national television, “My son is thegreatest detectivewho ever climbed a tree!”But he didn’t announce it.He didn’t evenwhisperit.
Whatgoodwoulditdo?
WhowouldbelievethattherealbrainbehindIdaville’swaroncrimewasonlytenyearsold?
SoChiefBrownkeptthesecretevenfromtheFBI.AndpeopleacrossthecountrywentonthinkingthatIdavillehadthesmartestpolicemenintheworld.
Encyclopedianeverletawordslipaboutthehelphegavehisfather.Hedidnotwanttoseemdifferentfromotherfifthgraders.
Hisnicknamewasanothermatter.Hewasstuckwithit.
Only his parents and teachers called himby his right name,Leroy.Everyone else inIdavillecalledhimEncyclopedia.
Anencyclopedia is abookor setofbooks filledwithallkindsof facts fromA toZ.EncyclopediahadreadmorebooksthananybodyinIdaville,andheneverforgotaword.Really,hewasmorelikeawholelibrarythananencyclopedia.YoumightsayhewastheonlylibraryinAmericathatclosedatnighttotakeabath.
In the winter Encyclopedia did his detective work sitting in the dining room.Whenschoolletout,hemovedtosummerquartersinthegarage.Athisbatteredolddeskbythegasolinecanhewasreadytohelpthechildrenoftheneighborhood.
Everymorninghehunghissignoutsidethegarage.Itread:
OnemorningGilTubbscameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.
RightoffEncyclopediaknewsomethingwaswrong.Gildidn’tfalloverathing.
GilwasIdaville’sleadingboyastronomer.Hestudiedclouds,andheknewthenamesoftwohundredandthirtystars.HecouldfindtheBigDipperfasterthanhisSundaypants.
Usually Gil walked around staring up at the sky and tripping over porch steps andsleepingcats.Butthismorninghelookedlikeanyotherboy—wherehewasgoing.
“What’sup?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Iwouldn’tknow.Ican’traisemyhead,”saidGil.“LastnightItrippedovermydeskclockandhurtmyneck.”
“Doyouoftenwalkacrossyourdeskatnight?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Iwasn’twalking,”saidGil.“Iwasrunning.”Heputtwenty-fivecentsonthegasolinecanbesideEncyclopedia.“Iwanttohireyou.”
“Tocatcharunawayclock?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Togetbackmytelescope,”saidGil.
Heexplained.Hehadawakenedlastnightandhadseenaboyinhisroom.Theboywasclimbing out the window with his telescope. Gil had leaped out of bed—and nearlyknockedhimselfout.
“Thethiefhadunpluggedmyelectricdeskclock,”saidGil.“He’dtiedthecordbetweenmybedandthedesksoI’dtripoveritchasinghim.DidIsailacrosstheroom!Wow!MyheadhitthewallsohardIthoughtI’dbrokenbothmyankles.”
“Makesmyhairhurtjusttohearit,”saidEncyclopedia.“Whendidthishappen?”
“Theclockwasstoppedatelevenminutespastten,”answeredGil.“Iguessthat’swhenthe thief pulled out the plug. I don’t have another clock so I can’t be sure of the exacttime.”
“Didyougetalookatthethief?”askedEncyclopedia.
“No,itwastoodark.ButIthinkitwasBugsMeany.”
“Bugs!”exclaimedEncyclopedia.“Imighthaveknown!”
BugsMeanywas the leaderofagangofwildolderboys.Theycalledthemselves theTigers.Theyshouldhavecalledthemselves theweathermen.Theyneverstoleanythingtillthecoastwasclear.
“I’m not sure it was Bugs, mind you,” said Gil. “Mr. James, who lives next door,noticedBugsoutsidemywindowa little after teno‘clock lastnight.Hedidn’tpayanyattentionbecauseBugsoftencutsthroughouryardtogettohishouse.”
“Let’sgoandquestionBugs,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Mustwe?”saidGil.“Bugsisawfultough.”
“I’ve handled him before,” replied Encyclopedia. “Get Bugs talking, and he’ll cookhimselfinhisownlies.”
TheTigers’clubhousewasanunusedtoolshedbehindMr.Sweeny’sAutoBodyShop.WhenEncyclopediaandGilarrived,theysawalonglineofchildrenleadingtothefrontdoorway.
SeveralTigerswerekeepingthelinestraight.Bugshimselfstoodbythefrontdoor.
“No need to push and shove,” he called. “Everybody will get a chance to see thegreatestlittlewonderofthetwentiethcentury!”
The front door of the clubhouse had been taken down. In its placewas hung an oldarmyblanket.Inthecenteroftheblanketwasasmallroundglass,likeaship’sporthole.
“One thin dime, kids,” shouted Bugs. “That’s all it costs. See the tiny moon manbroughtbackbythecrewoftheApollospaceship!”
EncyclopediaandGilslippedquietlyintoline.
Onebyonethechildrensteppedtotheglassintheblanket.TheypaidBugsadimeandtookalook.
“Onedime,”calledBugs.“Seethemoonman.He’ssotinythatifhefellintoabowlofalphabetsoup,hecouldn’tthrowoutanSOS!”
Agirlcalledfromthemiddleoftheline.
“How is it that youhave aman from themoon andnobody elsehasone?” she said.“ThePresidentdidn’tsayanythingabouttheastronautsfindinglifeonthemoon.”
“ThePresidentdidn’tdare sayanything,”shotbackBugs.“Why?Becauseonemoonman escaped! The President knew that a moon creature on the loose would scare the
daylightsoutofeverybodyinthecountry!”
Thechildrensteppedtotheglassandtookalook.
Bugspausedtotakeadime.
Thenhesaid,“IfoundtheescapedmoonmanTuesdaynight.Hewashidingunderanoldpostagestamponmyporch.He’sonlyaninchandahalftallandhisskinlookslike
greencheese.”
“Yeah, andhe’sgot somany solidgold teeth that he sleepswithhishead in a safe,”mutteredGil.
“Sssh!”warnedEncyclopedia.
Itwastoolate.Bugshadseenthem.HecameoverandsnarledatEncyclopedia.“Getlostandstaythere!”
“What’s thematter,Bugs?”calledaboy. “Areyouafraidof lettingEncyclopedia seeyourmoonman?”
“I’mnotafraidofnothing,”shoutedBugs.“Okay,Mr.Brains,”hesaidtoEncyclopedia.“Steptotheheadoftheline.You’llseethegreatestlittlewonderofthespaceage.”
EncyclopediaandGileachgaveBugsadime.Thentheylooked.Theysawafigurenobiggerthanapaperclip.
“What a fake!” whispered Gil. “The glass isn’t a window. It’s my telescope turnedaroundsothatyoulookthroughthelargeend.Whatyouseeappearstiny.”
“Right,” saidEncyclopedia. “Themoonman is one ofBugsMeany’sTigers coveredwithleavesandseashells.”
“You’ve had your turn,” growledBugs.He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Nowmakelikeapairofheadlightsandhittheroad.”
“Wewillwhen you give backGil’s telescope,” said Encyclopedia. “You stole it lastnight.”
“ButfirstyoustretchedthecordofmyclockonthefloorofmyroomsoI’dtripoveritchasingyou,”saidGil.
“I’llstretchyournoseifyoudon’tscram,”threatenedBugs.
“Aneighbor,1\1r.James,sawyououtsidemywindowlastnight,”saidGil.
“Iwastakingashortcuthome,”saidBugs.“Say,whenIpassedyourbedroomwindowyourclockwasstillgoing.Ihearditticking.SothethiefcameafterIhadpassedby.”
BugssuddenlymovedclosetoEncyclopedia.Hisvoicelowered.
“Listen,”hesaid.“Ifyoudon’truinmyshow,I’llcutyouinforashareofthedimes.Sure,themoonmanisfake.ThekidsarelookingatDukeKellythroughthebigendofatelescope,notthroughawindow.Butit’smytelescope.Youcan’tproveI’mnottellingthetruthaboutit.Sowhynotjoinme?”
“Iwouldn’t joinyouifyouwereacircusparade,”saidEncyclopedia.“Besides, Icanproveyou’renottellingthetruth!”
HOW?
TheCaseoftheBirdWatcherBugsMeanyhadonegreataiminlife.
ItwastogetevenwithEncyclopediaBrown.
WithEncyclopediaonthejob,BugsandhisTigerscouldn’tgetawaywithstealingsomuchasaleakyballoon.
Bugshatedbeingoutsmarted.He thoughtagreatdealaboutEncyclopedia’s stomach.HelongedtosockittillEncyclopediahurtclearuptotheroofofhismouth.
ButBugsneverletflyapunch.Wheneverhefeltlikeit,herememberedSallyKimball.
Sallywas the prettiest girl in the fifth grade.And she had donewhat no other childundertwelvehaddreamedwaspossible.ShehadwipedthegrasswithBugsMeany!
Bugswasbullyingacubscoutwhenithappened.Sallytoldhimtostop.Bugssneered.
Sallyraisedherfists.Bugslaughed.
Wham!wentSally.Plop!wentBugs.Whenhegotup,shedroppedhimagain.Thenshewenttoworkinearnest.Biff!Bam!Pow!
AfteraminuteBugsreachedanimportantdecision.Itwashealthiertoplaythepartofanironingboardthanaprizefighter.HelayflatandstifftillSallybikedaway.
BecauseofSally,BugsneverroughedupEncyclopedia.Sallywasthedetective’sjuniorpartner.
However,Bugs didn’t stop trying to get revenge.He only gave up the idea of usingforce.
“Watchoutforhim,Encyclopedia,”Sallywarned.“He’slikeatubeoftoothpaste—theharderyoupresshim,themorehetriestocomeoutontop.”
“Ithinkhe’sinthemiddleoftrying,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Whatdoyoumean?”askedSally.
“YesterdayIreceivedalettersigned‘Bill.’ThewritertoldmetomeethimbehindMr.Dunning’sgasstationatsunrisethismorning,”saidEncyclopedia.“Heenclosedtwenty-fivecents.”
“Didyougo?”
“Sure,”saidEncyclopedia.“Butnobodyshowedup.”
“I’llbetBugswrotetheletter,”saidSally.“It’ssomekindofplantogetyouintrouble.”
“We’llknowinaminute,”saidEncyclopedia.“Herehecomes.”
ApolicecarhadstoppedinfrontoftheBrowngarage.OfficerRandandBugsclimbedout.
“That’shim!”shoutedBugs,pointingatEncyclopedia.“Mr.Goody-Goodyhimself!HelettheairoutofthetiresofMr.Dunning’struckthismorning.Isawhim,thedirtylittlesneak.”
“Wherewereyouatsunrisethismorning?”OfficerRandaskedEncyclopedia.
Bugsgroanedandrubbedhisears.
“Why… Iwas atMr.Dunning’s gas station,” replied Encyclopedia. “I saw his towtruckparkedinback,butIdidn’ttouchit.”
“Man,ohman!”criedBugs.“Iflieswerepeanuts,thiskidcouldchokeahippowithaflipofthelip.”
“Cool off, Bugs,” said Officer Rand. “We’ll get to the truth.” He turned toEncyclopedia.“Whatwereyoudoingatthegasstationsoearlyinthemorning?”
Encyclopedia explained about the letter asking him to be there. All the while, Bugsgroanedandrubbedhisearsasifhecouldn’tbeartohearsuchaterriblelie.
“That’samightystrangestory,”saidOfficerRandwhenEncyclopediahadfinished.
“Golly,”saidSally.“Encyclopediawouldn’tlettheairoutofanything—exceptmaybeBugs!”
“Somebodylettheairoutofthetruck’stiresandgaveMr.Dunningalotofextraworkthismorning,”saidOfficerRand.
“Whatwereyoudoingnearthestationatsunrise,Bugs?”demandedSally.
“IwaswalkingtowardtheoceanwatchingthebirdsalongDadeRiver,”saidBugs.“I’dreachedthestationwhenInoticedEncyclopedialettingtheairoutofthetires.”
Encyclopediathoughtquickly.DadeRiverrandueeasttotheocean.Walkingalongtheshore,BugscouldseeMr.Dunning’struckparkedinbackofthestationasheclaimed.
“Howlonghaveyoubeenabirdwatcher?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Allmylife,”answeredBugs.“Ilovetowalkalongtherivertotheoceanandwatchthebirds.”
Bugsclosedhiseyes.Hefoldedhishandsoverhisheart.Turninguphisnose,hesniffedtheairdreamily.
“Thebirdsaresobeautifulinthepeacefulearlymorningair,”hesaidwithadeepsigh.
“Oh,bringdownthecurtain,Bugs,”said.Sally.“Youcouldn’t tellahootowlfromatreesqueaking.I’llbetyoucan’tnamefourbirdsthatcometotheriverinthemorning.”
Bugs grinned as if he’d been expecting the question. “Morning dove, cardinal,mocking-bird,andegret.”
“He’sright,”Encyclopediasaid.
“Hecouldhavelearnedallthosenamesfromabook,”saidSally.“He’stheonewholettheairoutofthetires.Ijustknowit!He’stryingtoframeyou,Encyclopedia!”
“Didyouhearthat?”BugssaidtoOfficerRand.“Itoldyouthey’dtrytopinthisonme.Nobody understands the real BugsMeany. I’m just a simple nature boy under all thismuscle.”
OfficerRandshookhishead.“Idon’tknowwhichoneofyoutobelieve,”hesaid.
“Bugsislying,”insistedSally.“Encyclopediacanproveit.”
Then,realizingthatshehadspokentooquickly,sheturnedtotheboydetective.“YoucanproveBugsislyingaboutseeingyoulettheairoutofthetires,can’tyou?”
“Certainly,”saidEncyclopedia.“Bugswasn’tbird-watchingthismorning.”
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage88forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheBirdWatcher.)
TheCaseoftheKidnappedPigsThedaybeforetheIdavillepetshow,LucyFibbsandCarlBentoncameintotheBrown
DetectiveAgency.
“Gwendolinehasbeenkidnapped!”wailedLucy.
“SohasAlfred,”saidCarl.
Everybody in Idaville knew Gwendoline and Alfred. They were pigs. GwendolinebelongedtoLucy.AlfredbelongedtoCarl.
Fewpeoplehadrealizedhowsmartpigsaretill lastyear’spetshow.Gwendolinehadwontheobediencetest,whichwasthemostimportantcontest.Shehaddefeatedseventy-onedogs,cats,horses,parakeets,andhamsters.Alfred,theonlyotherpiginthecontest,hadtakensecondplace.
Carlputtwenty-fivecentsonthegasolinecanbesideEncyclopedia.
“Wewanttohireyou,”hesaid.“FindGwendolineandAlfred.”
“They were kidnapped to keep them fromwinning at the pet show tomorrow,” saidLucy.“TheHurricanestookthem!”
“The Hurricanes are four teenage boys who train German shepherds as watchdogs,”explainedCarl.“Weretheysorelastyearwhenpigsbeattheirdogs!”
“AreyousuretheHurricanesdidthekidnapping?”saidEncyclopedia.
“IfoundthiscapnearAlfred’spen,”saidCarl.
HegaveEncyclopediathecap.ThewordHurricaneswasinkedacrossthepeak.
“Oneofthekidnappersmusthavedroppeditlastnight,”saidLucy.
“This morning I received a telephone call,” said Carl. “The caller told me the pigswouldbe returned after thepet show. Iwanted to be certain theywereunharmed.So IaskedtospeaktoAlfred.”
“I’dknowAlfred’sgruntsanywhere!”
“Thekidnapperagreed?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Yes, but first I had to call him back,” saidCarl. “His timewas up.He didn’t haveanotherdimeformoretimeonthetelephone.”
“A grown-up would have had plenty of money for the telephone,” said Lucy. “The
callerhadtobeaboy—aHurricane!”
“Iputinadimeanddialedthenumberhehadgivenme,”wentonCarl.“ThenIspoketoAlfred.I’dknowhisgruntsanywhere!”
“Doyourememberthetelephonenumber?”saidEncyclopedia.
“Iwroteitdownforyou,”saidCarl.HehandedEncyclopediaaslipofpaper.
Encyclopediaread:ZA6-7575.
“Mydadtracedthenumber,”saidCarl.“ItisapublictelephoneboothoutonHighway37.”
“Wedon’t havemuch time,” saidLucy. “We can’t look formotoristswhomay havepassedapigtalkingonthetelephonethismorning.”
“YoumustquestiontheHurricanestoday,”saidCarl.“You’llbeabletopicktheguiltyone-orones.Iknowit!”
“I’ll question the Hurricanes, but I don’t think I’ll learn anything,” warnedEncyclopedia.
Encyclopedia left Sally in charge of the detective agency. He got on his bike andfollowedCarlandLucy.Theyrodesixmilesoutoftownandintothefarmlands.
“TheHurricanes train their dogs at the Smith place,” said Lucy. “It’s just down thisroad.”
SoonEncyclopediahearddogsbarking.Roundingacorner,hesawtheHurricanes-Flip,Art,Merle,andHarry.EachhadaGermanshepherdathisside.
TheHurricaneswatchedsilentlyasEncyclopediagotoffhisbike.
“Didoneofyouloseacap?”askedEncyclopedia.
TheHurricanesremainedsilent,watchful.
“Twopigswerestolenlastnight,”saidEncyclopedia.“AcapwiththewordHurricaneonitwasfoundnearthepenofoneofthepigs.”
“You’vegotsomenervecominghere,”saidFlip.“We’renotpignappers!”
“I’mnotaccusingyou,”repliedEncyclopediahastily.Heeyedthefourlargedogs.“I’monlyasking.Whichoneofyoulosthiscap?”
“Godrinksomespotremoveranddisappear,”snarledArt.
“Showthemthecap,Encyclopedia,”saidLucy.“Itwillfitoneofthem.”
“Don’tbother.Weallwearthesamesize,”snappedHarry.“Listen,Iwouldn’tknowifIlostmycap.Ihaven’twornitforaweek.”
“Mineisinthefrontcloset,”saidFlip.“Iworeittwodaysagowhenitrained.Isawitintheclosetthismorning.”
“Iloanedmycaptomybrother,”saidArt.“HewenttoGlennCityTuesday.Whydon’t
youaskhim?”
“Idon’tknowwheremycapis,”saidMerle.“ButifyousayIstoletwopigs,I’llgiveyouthis!”
HeshookhisfistatEncyclopedia.
“IfMerlehitsyou,you’llwalkaroundlikeapigonicefortwoweeks,”Harrypromised.“Nowbeatit.”
“I’mleaving,”mumbledEncyclopedia.“Caseclosed.”
“Encyclopedia!”criedLucyinastonishment.“Youcan’tquit!”
“YouaskedmetoquestiontheHurricanes,andIdid,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Butyoudon’tknowwhokidnappedGwendolineandAlfredyet,”protestedLucy.
“Wrong,”saidtheboydetective.“Thekidnappergavehimselfaway.”
WHOWASTHEKIDNAPPER?
(Turntopage89forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheKidnappedPigs.)
TheCaseoftheBoundCamperEncyclopediaandhispalsweregoingcampingovernightintheStatePark.
Encyclopedialookedforwardtotheouting—tillCharlieStewartbroughtbadnews.
“BennyBreslinisjoiningus,”saidCharlie.
“Oh,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Itgetsworse,”saidCharlie.“Bennywantstoshareatentwithyou.”
“Oh,no!”saidEncyclopedia.
Bennywasagoodfriend—standingup.Assoonashelaydown,hewenttosleepandbecameathreat tothenation’sforests.Hissnoringshookbrancheslooseforhalfamilearound.
“Ibetterbringmydad’scrashhelmet,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Youbetterbringabaseballbat,”saidCharlie.“Youmighthave to fightoffamooseagain.”
Encyclopedia remembered the last camping trip. Benny’s snoring had carried like amating call.Abullmoosehadpoked its head into the tent.Encyclopediahad chased itwithafishingpole.
“Idon’thavethehearttouseabaseballbat,”hesaid.
“Isupposeyouareright,”saidCharlie.“AnylovesickmoosewillsufferenoughfindingonlyBenny.”
Encyclopedialeftthebaseballbatathome,andthetwoboysbikedtoMillCreek.Therestofthegangwasalreadythere—BennyBreslin,FangsLiveright,PinkyPlummer,HerbStein,andBillyandJodyTurner.
Twohours later theboysreachedtheStatePark.Aftersettingupcamp, theyhikedtothewatertofish.
“Even if I land a torpedo, this trip can’t bemore of a bust than it is now,”moanedCharlie.“Benny’ssnoringwillkeepusawakeallnight.”
“Maybe not,” said Encyclopedia. “If Benny sleeps all afternoon, hewon’t be sleepytonight.Andifhedoesn’tsleeptonight,hewon’tsnore.”
Encyclopedia chose a comfortable spot on the bank. It was better for catching fortywinksthanfish.HemotionedBennytositbesidehim.
Bennysettledhimselftillhewaslyingflat.“Thisisthelife,”hesaid.“Ifeellucky…”
Hisvoicetrailedoff.Hiseyesclosed.Soonhisnosesoundedtheopeningnotesofsleep.
Onebyonetheotherboysstoleofftoquieterplaces.TheydidnotwakeBennyuntiltheday’scatchhadbeencookedoverthefire.
Later, Encyclopedia lay beside Benny in their tent and checked his watch. At nine-thirty,Bennywasstillawake,stillsilent.
Butatsevenminutesbeforeten,faintsnortsandheavybreathingarose.
“Didyouhearsomething?”whisperedBenny.“Whatwasit?”
“Whatwasit?”gaspedEncyclopedia.“Yipes!Ithoughtitwasyou!”
“L-listen,”saidBenny,asthenoisescamecloser.“Ithinkit’sabear!”
ThehaironEncyclopedia’sneckstoodupfaster thanSittingBullonabranding iron.Hepeeredoutsidethetent.
Itwasn’tabear.Itwasamanstumblingaboutinthemoonlight.Hishandswereboundbehindhim.Hewastryingtospeak,butthegaginhismouthturnedhiswordsintowildsnorts.
Encyclopediaquicklyuntiedhim.
“I’m Jack Evans,” the man panted. “Bring help! At campsite five. Robbers!Kidnappers!”
Robbersandkidnappers!Theboysdidn’twastetime.Charlie,Fangs,andPinkyranfortherangerstation.Herb,Jody,andBillymadeforparkheadquarters.
Encyclopediapeeredoutsidethetent.
EncyclopediaandBennystayedwithMr.Evans,whotalkedexcitedlyduringthefive-minutewalktohiscampsite.
“IwascampingwithRogerBlake,”saidMr.Evans.“Ihadjustputapotofcoffeeoverthefirewhenavoicebehindmesaid,‘Don’tmove.Don’tturnaround.’”
Mr.Evansduckedunderabranch.Thenhecontinued.
“FrombehindmeIheardRogersay,‘Becareful.Theybothhaveguns.’Iwasorderedtoliefacedown.Myhandsandlegsweretied,agagfixedinmymouth,andmymoneyandcarkeyswerestolen.”
Mr.Evansshookhisfistinrageandwenton.
“ ‘We’re kidnapping your friend,’ the voice behind me said. ‘You’ll hear from ustomorrow.We’lltellyouwheretoleavetheransommoney.’Ittookmeabouthalfanhourtokickmylegsfree.Iranforhelp—andfoundyouboys.”
“Youdidn’tgetalookatthekidnappers?askedBenny.
“No,” answered Mr. Evans. “I was facing the fire and the coffee pot. Everythinghappenedbehindme.Hereweare…”
Theyhadcome toa large tent standing inaclearing.Afewyardsaway,acoffeepothungoveracracklingfire.
Encyclopediastudiedtheground.Therewereseveralfootprintsleadinguptoandawayfromtheclearing.Afewfeetfromthecamp-firewasapieceofrope.
Fromthefirecameasudden,startlingnoise.Thecoffeehadbeguntoboiloverthesidesofthepotandfellhissingontheburninglogsbeneath.
Encyclopediastaredatthefirethoughtfully.
“Doyouseeaclueorsomething?”askedBenny.
“Yes,acluethatMr.Evansoverlooked,”answeredEncyclopedia.“ItsolvesthecaseofRogerBlake’skidnapping!”
WHATWASTHECLUE?
(Turntopage90forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheBoundCamper.)
TheCaseoftheJunkSculptorHaroldFinneganworeeyeglasses,butnoneofthechildrencalledhim“FourEyes.”
Theycalledhim“FourWheels.”
Hewastheonlyboyintheneighborhoodwhoownedtwobikes.Hehadanewbikeforcleardaysandanoldbikeforrainydays.
However,hewasridinghisnewbikewhen,onarainymorning,hecametotheBrownDetectiveAgencyforhelp.
“Hi,FourWheels,”Encyclopediasaidcheerfully.
“CallmeThreeWheels,”saidFourWheels.“I’mdowntoabikeandahalf.”
“Didyouhaveawreck?”askedSally.
“No,somebodystolethefrontwheelofmyoldbike,”hesaid.“I’mprettysurethethiefwasPabloPizarro.”
“Howcanyousaysuchathing?”demandedSally.“Pabloisnothief.Pabloisagreatartist!Pablohasfeeling!Pablohas—”
“Pablohasmyfrontwheel,”insistedFourWheels.“Hestoleittenminutesago.”
FourWheelsrolledtwenty-fivecentsonthegascan.“I’llneedyourhelptogetitback,Encyclopedia.”
Encyclopedia took the case despiteSally’s angry look.On theway toPablo’s house,FourWheelstoldwhathadhappened.
“LastnightIstartedfixingmyoldbike,”hesaid.“Itookitallapart.WhenIwentouttothegaragethismorning,Isawaboyrunningoffwiththewheel.”
“Youaren’tsureitwasPablo?”saidSally.
“Ineversawhisface,”admittedFourWheels.HeglancedatEncyclopedia.“Youknowwhat’sbeengoingon,”hesaid.
Encyclopediaknew.Forthepastfewweeksthingshadbeendisappearingfromgaragesintheneighborhood.Strangely,thethingswereworthless—junklikebrokenmirrors,bitsofwood,oldnewspapers,andrustymetalparts.
Encyclopediahadnot toldSally,butPablohadbeenseenhangingaroundthegarages
fromwhichthejunkdisappeared.
The children reached Paplo’s house, and Encyclopedia rang the bell. Pablo’smotherleanedoutasecondfloorwindowandcalled,“Comein.Pablo’sintheattic.”
Upstairs,Encyclopedia found the attic door locked.He pounded loudly.After a longmomentPabloopenedthedoor.
“Enter,”hesaidwithasweepofhisarm.“Welcometomystudio.”
Sally’shandflutteredtohermouthasshegazeduponPablo.Heworeasoftflathat,alarge bow for a necktie, and a dirty smock. “You’re dressed just like a real artist!” shegaspedinadmiration.
“Ofcourse,”saidPablowithacarelessshrug.“Iamatwork.”
“Hemustbeworkingatbuildingajunkyardinhisattic,”thoughtEncyclopedia.
Junk—anythingthatstayedput—filledeverycorner.Someofitstoodinnewlypaintedmounds.Mostjuststoodrustingaway.
FourWheelsgottothepoint.“Where’smybicyclewheel?”
“Bicyclewheel?”repeatedPablo.
“Theoneyoustolefrommygaragethismorning!”growledFourWheels.
“Mydearfellow,youaretalkingrot,”saidPablo.“ItistruethatIcollectthingstouseinmakingmysculpture.ButIdonotsteal!”
Theboyartistwalkedacrosstheattic.
“This ismynewestpiece,”he said,pointing toapileofwireclotheshangers, coffeepots,magazines,stove legs,anapple,andanautomobile tire.“Ishallpaint itwhiteandcallitStillLifewithApple.”
“Bravo!”squealedSallyindelight.
“Thisismynewestpiece,”Pablosaid.
EncyclopediaandFourWheels,beingstruckspeechless,couldonlystare.
“I haven’t been out of the house today,” saidPablo. “So how could I steal a bicyclewheel?I’vebeensittingrighthereinthisoldchairworkingsincebreakfast.Igotuponlytoansweryourknock.”
Encyclopediastudiedtheoldchair.ItwaspulledclosetoStillLifewithApple.Thechairwasfallingapart,butitlookedbetterthanPablo’ssculpture.
Small drops ofwhite paintwere splattered over the chair. The boy detective ran hishandlightlyoverthechair’scoolseatandtouchedafewdrops.Theyweredry.
“Idon’tseemywheelanyplace,”whisperedFourWheels.
“Keepsearching,”saidEncyclopedia.“Youcouldhideabattleshipinthismess.”
PablohadbeguntoshowSallyaroundhisstudio.Shefollowedhimlikeapuppyandhungoneveryword.
“Uponfindinganobjectinwhichsomethingelseissuggested,theartistuseshisskilltobringtheideatofulfillment,”saidPablo.
“Comeagain?”saidFourWheelsfromacorner.
Theboyartistbrought forthaboard six feet long.On itwerenaileda shovel, a fruitbox,twosmashedelectricirons,abentfan,andscrapsofwallpaper.
“IcallitManinSearchofHimself,”saidPablo.
“It’sbeautiful!”exclaimedSally.“It’sexciting!Itliftsmeintoaworldofnewideas!”
Pablo’s chest swelled. “I see you are not a beginner,” he said. “You understand thatwhatisimportantinarthasnothingtodowithcost,orprettiness,oreven—”
“Cleanliness!”calledoutFourWheelsashecrawledbehindadustyheapof tiresandchains.
“Don’tpayanyattentiontohimorEncyclopedia,”saidSally.“Theydon’tknowgreatartwhentheyseeit!”
“Maybenot,” saidEncyclopedia. “But Iknowa thiefwhen I seeone, andPablo is athief!”
WHATMADEENCYCLOPEDIASURE?
(Turntopage91forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheJunkSculptor.)
TheCaseoftheTreasureMapWinslowBrantwasIdaville’smastersnooper.
He snooped wherever a grown-up might have thrown away something valuable bymistake.Notrashpileorashcanwassafefromhim.
Snoopinghadrewardedhimwell.Alreadyheownedthefinestcollectionofbottlecapsanddeadtennisballsintheneighborhood.
Hewasn’tsnooping,however,whenhecameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.Hewasdrooping.
“Inearlyhaditall,”hemoanedandsaggedagainstthewall.
“Hadwhat?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Treasure,”saidWinslow.“Thedreamofeverygreatsnooper—treasurebeyondbelief!”
“Yourbigchanceslippedthroughyourfingers?”
“No, it ran,” said Winslow. He whipped out a piece of cloth. The colors had runtogether,makingonelargeredsmear.“ItwasamapshowingwhereHenriLaFargeburiedsomeofhistreasure!”
EveryoneinthestateknewofthefamouspirateHenriLaFarge.Twohundredyearsagohehadmadehishideoutamongthesmall islandsseveralmilessouthofIdaville.There,someplace,hesupposedlyburiedafortune.
“ThemapwasinabrokenmusicboxIfoundyesterdaymorningontheSmith’strashpile,”saidWinslow.Thenhetoldhissadstory.
HehadshowedthemaptoPeteAlders,whowassixteenandownedasailboat.PetehadagreedtotakeWinslowtotheislandsinreturnforashareofthetreasure.
Theboyshad reached theirdestinationafterdark, and so they spent thenight aboardship.Inthemorning,Winslowhadfoundthemapdryingondeck,ruined.Petesaidhehadused it to plug a leak during the night. In the dark, he had thought he was using apillowcase.
“I’llbetPetefirstmadeacopyofthemapsohecanhaveallthetreasureforhimself,”saidWinslowangrily.“Afterhebroughtmehome,heprobablyreturnedtotheislands.”
“Hewon’tfindanythingtherebuta,sunburn,”saidEncyclopedia.Hepointedtoatinyblacksmudgeonthebackofthemap.
“Gosh,Inevernoticedthat,”saidWinslow.“Whatisit?”
“Itwaswriting,”repliedEncyclopedia.“Itsaid‘NewYorkWorld’sFair.’Yourmapwasjustasouvenirthatcostfiftycents.Mydadhadoneintheatticforyears.”
“Well,I’llbecow-kicked,”saidWinslowindisgust.“Worthless!”Suddenlyhisfacelitup.“Pete’soffdiggingfortreasure—hethinks.Serveshimright,thedirtydouble-crosser!”
“Wedon’tknowthatPeteruinedyourmaponpurpose,”Encyclopediasaid.
“I’llhireyou,”saidWinslow.“IfyoufindoutthatPetecopiedmymap,don’ttellhimthetruthaboutit.Lethimdigtillhehearschopsticks.”
Encyclopediaagreed,andtwohourslatertheboyswereheadingtowardtheislandsinaskiffborrowedfromSallyKimball’suncle.
TheylookedinatfiveislandsbeforetheyspiedPete’ssailboat.Shewasanchoredinasmallcove.Oneofherportholeswasslightlyopen.
“Petewillbediggingbyagroupofthreecoconuttrees,”saidWinslow,hoppingashore.“Themapshowedatreasurechestwasburiedatthefootofthecentertree.”
After a shortwalk inland, the boys spied three coconut trees growing close together.Petewasthere,diggingwearilyinthehotsun.
“Boy,helooksreadytoleanonhistongue,”saidWinslowhappily.
“He’s so greedy he believes those three trees are the ones on the map,” repliedEncyclopedia.
Petewassurprisedtoseetheboys.HegaveWinslowaweaksmileasheclimbedoutofthehole.“YouknowI’llsplitwhatIfindwithyou,”hesaidnervously.
“Sure,Pete,”saidWinslow.“AndIseeyoufixedthesailboat.Ineverdidaskyouwheretheleakwas.”
“Well…ah…itwas…ah…aporthole,”saidPete.“Itwouldn’tclose.”
“Oneportholewasstuck,”saidWinslow.“Iremember.”HiswordsseemedtoputPetemoreatease.
The older boy said, “After you lay down in the cabin last night, I stayed on deckcheckingthings.Isawthatwehadanchoredatlowtide.Inalittlewhile,thetidestartedcomingin.”
Petewasdiggingwearilyinthehotsun.
“Youseeverywellinthedark,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Therewasmoonlight,”saidPete.“Icouldseethehighwatermarkontheshore.Itwasthenabouttwoandahalffeetabovethewaterlevel.”
“Whathashighandlowtidegottodowithmymapgettingwetandruined?”demanded
Winslow.
“Thetideroseaboutfiveinchesanhour,”saidPete.“Theportholesareeighteeninchesabovethewaterline.Inlessthanfourhoursthetidewouldrisetotheopenporthole.Waterwouldpourinandsinktheboat.”
“Soyoupluggedtheportholeandsavedtheboat,”saidWinslow.“Withmymap!”
“Thatwasamistake,I toldyou,”saidPete.“ThecabinwassodarkI thoughtIhadapillowcase.Honest.”
Winslow looked uncertain. He turned to Encyclopedia andwhispered, “Petemay betellingthetruth.”
“No,hewetyourmaponpurposetokeepyoufromfindingwhathethoughtwasburiedtreasure,”saidEncyclopedia.“Hisstoryabouttheportholedoesn’tholdwater!”
WHYNOT?
(Turntopage92forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheTreasureMap.)
TheCaseoftheFiveCluesShortly after four o‘clock onWednesday afternoon JaneFoster came into theBrown
DetectiveAgency.Hereyeswerebrimmingwithtears.
ShelookedfromSallytoEncyclopedia.“You’vegottohelpme,”shesaid.“Somebodyrobbedmydad’sstorewhileIwasmindingit!”
Mr.FosterownedtheSunsetFive-and-Dime.Encyclopediaboughthisschoolsuppliesandbubblegumthere.
“Youshouldreportarobberytothepolice,”hesaid.
“Ican‘t!”saidJane,blowinghernose.“Idon’twantmydadtofindoutIwascareless.Ileftthesidedoorunlocked!”
SheputaquarteronthegascanbesideEncyclopedia.“Pleasehelpmegetthemoneyback!”
“I’ll dowhat I can, but I don’t havemuch time,” saidEncyclopedia. “Mymomwillwantmeinfordinnerintwohours.”
“Wedon’tevenhavetwohours,”saidJane.“MydadwillbebackfromGlennCityinanhour!”
Gloomfilled theBrownAgency.Onehour!CouldEncyclopedia learnenough inonehourtosolvetherobbery?
“We’dbettergetstarted,”hesaid.Hespokewithacheerfulnesshedidn’tfeel.“Don’tworry,Jane.Everythingwillturnoutfine.”
Tosave time, the threechildrendidnotuse theirbikes toget to town.They rode theNumber3bus.Ontheway,JanetoldEncyclopediaallsheknewabouttherobbery.
“Wednesdaysmydadcloses thestoreat threeo‘clock,” she said. “Todayhewas inahurrytogettoGlennCity.Soheleftthestorefiveminutesearly.Hetoldmetocloseup.
“Ilockedthefrontandbackdoors,”Janecontinued.“ThenIwenttothewashroomtocombmyhair.SuddenlyIheardthecashregisterring.Ihurriedoutandsawsomeoneraceoutthesidedoor.”
“Howmanydoorsdoesthestorehave?”askedSally.
“Three—front, back, and side,” answered Jane. “The sidedoor is seldomused. I just
forgottolockit.”
“Didyougetalookatthethief’sface?”askedEncyclopedia.
“No,”saidJane.“Everythinghappenedsofast.Idon’tknowifthethiefwasamanorawoman,oraboyorgirl.”
Thebushadcometo theirstop.The threechildrengotoffandwalked toa two-storywhitebuilding.TheSunsetFive-and-Dimetookuptheentirefirstfloorexceptforabrownwooddooratoneend.
“Whatdooristhat?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Itleadstolivingquartersabovethestore,”saidJane.
Sheunlockedthefrontdoorofthestore.SallyandEncyclopediafollowedherinside.
Encyclopediastaredatthecounterbeforethecashregister.Onthecounterwereapackofrubberbands,acanofoil,amagnet,asheetofsandpaper,andapackofblotters.
“Werethosethingsonthecounterwhenyoulockedthefrontandbackdoorsatclosingtime?”heasked.
“Idon’trememberthem,”saidJane.“Aretheyclues?”
Encyclopedia didn’t answer. Insteadhe asked to see the side door throughwhich thethiefhadfled.
Thesidedooropened intoahall.Atoneendwas thestaircasegoingup to the livingquarters above the store. At the other endwas the brown doorwhich opened onto thestreet.
“Aretheyclues?”saidJane.
“Isthatbrowndoorkeptlocked?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Itlocksbyitselfwhenitshuts,”saidJane.
“Then the thiefmustbe someonewho livesupstairs,” saidEncyclopedia. “Hehad tohaveakeytogetpastthebrowndoor.”
“Doyouknowwhodidit?”exclaimedSally.
“Notyet,”saidEncyclopedia.
Hepaused thoughtfully.Thenhesaid,“The thiefcamedown thestairsshortlybeforeclosing.He—let’ssaythethiefwasaman—didn’tknowJanehadclosedthestoreafewminutesearlytoday.”
“Youmeanthethiefdidn’tplanonrobbery?”askedSally.
“Correct,” saidEncyclopedia. “The thief took five things hewanted andwent to thecashregistertopayforthem.”
Sallycried,“Whenherealizedhewasaloneinthestore,hedecidedtorobit.Hedidn’tknowJanewasinthewashroom!”
“That’showitlooks,”saidEncyclopedia.“Whenthecashregisterrangasheopenedit,hegotscared.Hefledwiththemoney.Butheleftbehindthefivethingshehadwantedtobuy.”
“Wholivesabovethestore?”SallyaskedJane.
“ThefronttwoapartmentsbelongtoMr.CoreyandMr.Evans,”saidJane.“Eachlivesalone.Mr.CoreyworksfortheHealthDepartment.Mr.EvansisthenightwatchmanattheFirstFederalBank.”
“Wholivesintherearapartments?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Mrs. O‘Quinn lives with her daughter Mary in one apartment,” said Jane. “Mrs.O’Quinnworksasacleaningwomanand takes insewingatnight.TheotherapartmenthasbeenemptysincetheAndersonsmovedawaytwomonthsago.”
“Can’tyoutellusanythingmoreaboutthepeopleupstairs?”askedSallyanxiously.
“I’msorry,”saidJane.“Idon’tknowanymore.Idon’tseethemoften.”
“Itdoesn’tmatter,”saidEncyclopedia.“You’vetoldusenough.”
WHOWASTHETHIEF?
(Turntopage93forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheFiveClues.)
TheCaseoftheGoldRushAs Encyclopedia biked past the empty lot on Rock Garden Lane, he saw Nathan
Winslowswingingapickaxattopspeed.
Theboydetectivebrakedtoahalt.“Hey,Nathan,”hecalled.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Whatdoesitlooklike?”saidNathan.“I’mdigging.Nowleavemealone.Gowashanelephantorsomething.Ihavetopractice.”
HissnappishanswersurprisedEncyclopedia.Aquietboyofnine,Nathanwasknownforhisgoodmanners. In fact, hewas sopolitehenever visitedEchoValley.Hedidn’twanttotalkback.
Encyclopedia wheeled his bike onto the sidewalk. He tried again. “What are youpracticing?”
“Diggingrocksifyoumustknow,”saidNathan.“I’vegot toshowWilfordWigginsIcanhelphimdigforgold.”
WilfordWigginswas a high school dropout.Hehadmoreget-rich-quick ideas everyminute than fingerprintsonavolleyball.EncyclopediakeptbusystoppingWilford fromcheatingthechildrenoftheneighborhood.
“Wilfordsayshefoundagoldmine,”guessedEncyclopedia.
“Yep,” saidNathan. “Themine is outwest someplace.Anykidwith fivedollars canbuyashareofit.SinceI’mbroke,IthoughtIcouldworkforashare.”
Nathan put down his pickax. “Wilford’s holding a meeting at ten o‘clock in SouthPark,”hesaid.“I’dbettergetoverthere.”
“Wilforddidn’ttellmeaboutthemeeting,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Hehatesyoulikepoison,”saidNathan.
“What’slikepoisonisWilford’sbigtalk,”saidEncyclopedia.“Butitcan’thurtyouifyoudon’tswallowit.”
Nathansuddenlylookedworried.
“MaybeWilford’s goldmine is as phoney as bull’s wool,” he said uneasily. “You’dbettercometothemeeting,Encyclopedia.Youmightsavetheday.”
Encyclopediaagreedtogo.Ontheway,Nathanapologized.
“I’msorryIwassofreshtoyou,”hesaid.“IguessIwasn’tmyself.”
“Forgetit,”saidEncyclopedia.“Theshineofgoldcanbeworsethanacloseshave.Ithasmadelotsofpeoplelosetheirheads.”
At South Park, Encyclopedia saw a crowd of children gathered around the statue ofAbrahamLincoln.
WilfordWigginswasleaningagainstthestatue,tryingtolookhonest.Hewasabouttostarthissalestalk.
Wilfordwasabouttostarthissalestalk.
Thechildrensteppedcloser.Theywereeager tohearhowhewouldmake themdirtyrich.
“You’ve all heard about the gold strike outwest,” saidWilford. “Mypartner,DiggerDan,foundthemine.Butweneedmoneyto,buyamule.SoI’mgoingtomakeeachof
youajuniorpartnerforamerefivedollars.”
“Sure,sure,”saidBugsMeany,pushinghiswaytothefront.“I’llbesorichmylittlesisterwillhavetoquitpianolessonsandtakeupplayingthecashregister!”
“That’safact,kid,”repliedWilford.
“Exactlywhereisyourgoldmine?”askedBennyBreslin.
“IwishIcouldtellyou,”answeredWilford.“ButI’mtoogoodanAmerican.IfItold,all the people in the east would rush out west. The whole country would tip into thePacificOceanandsink.”
“Aw,cutthecomedyorgetofftheair,”sneeredBugs.
“Ifyoufoundagoldmine,”saidHectorConklin,“whydidn’tyoudigenoughgoldtobuyamule?Whydoyouneedourmoney?”
“I’lltellyou,friend,”saidWilford.“Sixmonthsagomypartner,DiggerDan,wentintothehillslookingforgold.HetookalonghisfaithfulmuleQueenietocarrysupplies.
“DiggerDanhasbeenlookingforgoldforthirty-threeyears,”wentonWilford.“Thistriphisbadluckended.Hehitthemotherlode,therichestgoldstrikeever!Butdidhegetgreedyandhaulitaway?No!QueeniewasabouttohaveababyandQueeniecamebeforeworldlyriches.”
Wilfordpausedtolethiswordssettleupontheanimalloversinthecrowd.
Thenhewenton. “DiggerDanwaitedat thegoldmine.HeneededQueenie tocarryback the gold. At last, Queenie had her baby, Strike-It-Rich. But instead of growingstronger,Queeniegrewweaker.Dayspassed.Foodandwaterranlow.LittleStrike-It-Richdied.FivedayslaterQueeniedied,too.”
Wilfordbowedhishead.Whenhelookedupagain,therewasatearinhiseye.
He said, “DiggerDanmight have taken a fortune in gold from themine if hewereheartless.HemighthavemadetwoorthreequicktripsbacktotowneventhoughQueeniewasn’tfitforheavywork.”
Thechildrenweresilent.JaneFosterwascrying.SowasLucyFibbs.
“Nowyouknowwhyweneedmoney,” saidWilford. “DiggerDandidn’t bringbackenoughgoldtobuyashoelace.ButifIcanraisethemoney,he’llbeabletobuyanothermule,gobacktothehills,andstartworkingthemine.”
ThechildrenpressedaroundWilford,wavingtheirmoney.BugsMeanyboughtthefirstshare.Hebikedoffaspleasedwithhimselfasamillionaire.
Beforeanyoneelsecouldbuyashare,Encyclopediahelduphishands.
“Don’tthrowawayyourmoney,”hesaid.“Thereisnogoldmine!”
HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?
(Turntopage94forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheGoldRush.)
TheCaseoftheFlyingBoyEncyclopediawas biking past CasperKeane’s housewhen he saw something on the
roof.ItwasCasper.
“Hey,comedown!”shoutedEncyclopedia.
“Don’tbotherme,”saidCasper.Hehadapaperwingtiedtoeacharm.Heclosedhiseyesandbegantorock.
“Whatareyoudoing?”saidEncyclopedia.
“I’mhypnotizingmyself,”answeredCasper.
“Can’tyouhypnotizeyourselfontheground?”
“OnceIgetmyselfhypnotized,I’mgoingtotellmyselfI’mabird,”saidCasper,whowaseightandagreatbeliever.“ThenI’llfly.”
“You’llflylikeastonekite,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Nope,it’sgoingtowork,”saidCasper.“BuckBarkdullhasflown—”
“Nobodycanfly!”screamedEncyclopedia.“Jumpofftheroofandyou’llfindoutwhatananchordoes.”
“Aw,youshouldn’thavesaidthat,”saidCasper.Heclimbeddown.“Still,I’mgladyoustoppedme.Iwaslosingfaith.”
“Whatmadeyouthinkyoucouldfly?”askedEncyclopedia.
“BuckBarkdullsaidso,”answeredCasper.“Hesoldmethesewingsforsixdollars.Hewantedanothersixdollarstohypnotizeme.Ididn’thaveanymoremoney.SoIborrowedabookonhypnotismatthelibrary.”
“If Buck could fly, he wouldn’t sell you the secret for a few dollars,” pointed outEncyclopedia.“HewouldsellittotheArmyformillions!”
“ButPeteConnellsaidhesawBuckfly!”saidCasper.
“Pete and Buck are probably in this together,” said Encyclopedia. “Remember whathappenedatthehighschoollastyear?”
Casper nodded.Buck had stolen the answers to a history test. Pete had sold them tostudentsfortwodollars.Bothboyshadbeenkickedoutofschoolforaterm.
“I’vebeenasap,”mumbledCasper.“IguessIwantedtoflymorethanthink.Couldyougetmysixdollarsback?”
“Ican try,” saidEncyclopedia. “Let’sgo talkwithPeteConnell.He isn’t as smart asBuck.”
“Let’stalkwithBuck,”saidCasper.“Petewasonthewrestlingteam.Hemighttieusinaknot.”
EncyclopediadecidedCasperwasright.Itwasbettertobeoutsmartedthantohaveyourfeethookedoveryourears.ThetwoboyswenttoseeBuck.
Hewas sittingonhis front porch carving fif ty-cent pieces out ofwood.He listenedcalmlyasEncyclopediaaskedhimtoreturnCasper’ssixdollars.
“WhyshouldI?”hedemanded.“Ifyoudon’tbelieveyoucanfly,youwon’tfly.You’vegottohavefaith,baby.”
EncyclopediapressedhimtillBuckagreedtoprovehecouldfly.HetoldthetwoboystomeethiminthesmallwoodsbehindMr.Walker’snurseryafterdark.
Theboysreachedthewoodsasnightfell.“It’ssodarkinhereIcouldn’tseeBuckifheflewpastmynoseinagarbagetruck,”saidCasper.
Suddenly strange noises came from up in a nearby tree. Buck Barkdull slid to theground.
“Didyouseethat!”hecried.“Acrashlanding!AmIluckyIwasn’tkilled!”
“Wedidn’tseeathing,”saidCasper.
“ItwassodarkIflewsmackintothattree,”saidBuck,removinghiswings.“Otherwise,I’dhavelandedlikeabutterflyatyourfeet.”
“Youwereupinthetreeallthetime,”saidEncyclopedia.
“Isthatso?”sneeredBuck.“ItjustsohappensthatIhaveawitness.PeteConnellsawmetakeofffrommyatticwindow.”
“Whydon’tyoutakeoffrightnow?”saidEncyclopedia.
“BecauseIhavetostartfromuphigh,”answeredBuck.“Icouldflyfromoneofthesetrees,butthebrancheswouldgetinmyway.Besides,mywingsarebroken,andIdon’thaveanextrapair.”
The arguing continued. Buck would not give back Casper’s six dollars, andEncyclopediawouldnotleavewithoutthemoney.Buckfinallythrewuphishands.
“I’llshowyouwhereIbeginmyflights,”Bucksaid.
“I’llshowyouwhereIbeginmyflightsandnothingmore,”hesaid.“Afterthat,ifyoubothermeagain,I’llpunchyouinthebellywhenyourbackisturned.”
“Ouch,”CasperwhisperedoverandoverastheyfollowedBuckhome.
PeteConnellwaswaitingoutsideBuck’shouse.Buckwinkedathispalslyly.
ImmediatelyPeteexclaimed,“Whataflight!,Yousoaredlikeaneagle.BuckBarkdull,you’regreaterthanLindbergh!”
Buckunlockedthefrontdoor.“Myparentsareawayfortheday,andI’mherealone,”hesaid.
Heledthewayuptotheattic.Heturnedonthelightandwalkedtotheonewindow.
“Thisismylaunchingpad,”hesaid,rollinguptheshadeandopeningthewindow.“Istand here and get myself in the mood—that’s the important part. I hypnotize myself.WhenIfeelready,Ijumpoutheadfirst.”
“Suppose you’ve made a mistake?” asked Encyclopedia. “What if you’re not fullyhypnotizedwhenyoujump?”
“Ifallandlandinthosebushes,”saidBuck,pointingtobushesgrowingbythehouse.
“Didyoufalltonight?”askedCasper.
“Naw, it was a perfect flight,” said Buck. “Once I was through the window, I flewstraightforthewoodswithoutfallingafoot.”
“Itwasbeautiful!”sangPeteConnell.
“Idon’tbelieveaword,”whisperedCasper.“Buthowcanweprovethewingsandthehypnotismarefakes?”
“Wedon’thaveto,”repliedEncyclopedia.“Buckalreadyhasprovedthatforus!”
WHATWASBUCK’SMISTAKE?
(Turntopage95forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheFlyingBoy.)
TheCaseoftheFootWarmerMelvinPughwasalwaysinventingsomething.WhenhecameintotheBrownDetective
Agency,helookedasifhehadinventedanewwaytowalk.
Hiskneesdidn’tbend,andhemovedspread-legged,asifhisfeetwerestucktorailroadtracks.
“Golly,Melvin,haveyoubeenhorsebackriding?”askedSally.
“No,Ihatehorses,”saidMelvin.Hesnortedintoahornthatstuckoutofhisshirt.“AndIhatecoldweather.Nobodydoesanythingabouthorses.ButIhavedonesomethingaboutcoldweather.”
Encyclopediagotupenoughnervetoask,“What?”
“I’llshowyou,”saidMelvin.“First,Ihavetotakeoffmyclothes.”
Heundidhisbelt.
“Melvin!”shriekedSally.
“I’ve got a bathing suit on,”Melvin assured her.He stepped out of his trousers andpulledoffhisshirt.
“Behold!”hesaid.“TheMelvinPughhot-airfootwarmer!”
EncyclopediaandSallybeheld.
ArubbertuberandowneachlegtoMelvin’sshoes.Atthetop,thetubesjoinedandfedintothehorn.ThehornwaskeptinplacebyastraparoundMelvin’sneck.
“Youblowintothehorn,”explainedMelvin.“Theheatofyourbreathpassesdowntoyourfeetwhereitisneeded.”
“It sure is simple,” saidEncyclopedia.He felt the tubes.Theywerehard and stiff asiron.
“Ihavetofindsoftertubes,”saidMelvin.“Wearingthese,Ifeellikeawishbone;AndIcan’tbendaninch.”
“Whenyoucanwarmyour feetand touchyour toesat the,same time,you’llmakeamilliondollars,”saidSally.
“Mywarmerisparticularlyusefulinwinteroncoldfloors,frozenground,andicyside-walks,”saidMelvinproudly.
“Yououghttotestitinthewinter,”suggestedEncyclopedia.“Youcouldgiveyourselfa
terriblehotfootinthissummerheat.”
“IjusttesteditinArcher’sToyShop,”saidMelvin.“Itworkedlikeacharm.”
The toy shopwas the coldest place in Idaville during the summer.Mr. Archer, whoownedtheshop,kepttheairconditionergoingfullblast.
“Agreatchoice, the toyshop,”saidEncyclopedia.“You lookedover the latest-modelcarkitswhileyoutriedoutthetubes,eh?”
“You guessed it,” said Melvin. “A person can loose his mind doing nothing butbreathingonhisfeet.WillIbegladtogetoutofthisrig.Givemeahand,willyou?”
“Youlittlethief!”bellowedMr.Archer.
Encyclopedia helped him take off the foot warmer. As Melvin was pulling up histrousers, a car drove past. It slowed, backed up, and stopped in front of the BrownDetectiveAgency.
Mr.Archergotout.HeshookhisfingeratMelvinangrily.
“Youlittlethief!”bellowedMr.Archer.“Iknewyoucouldn’tgetfar!”
“Thief?”saidMelvin.“Me?”
“I’vethoughtallalongyou’retheonewhohasbeenshopliftinginmystore,”saidMr.Archer.“Todayyoustoletwoairriflesworthelevendollarsandeightycentsapiece!”
MelvinlookedatEncyclopediapleadingly.“Ididn’tstealanythingexceptcoldair,”hesaid.
“Idon’twanttoreportyoutothepolice,”saidMr.Archer.“Justgivemebacktheriflesandstayawayfrommystore.”
“Geewhiz,Mr.Archer,”saidEncyclopedia,“whydoyouthinkMelvinstolethem?”
“Fiveminutesafterhe leftmystore, Iwent togeta rifle forMrs.Bowen.Twoweremissing,”saidMr.Archer.
“Inoticedaredheadedkidlookingattherifles,”saidMelvinmeekly.
“BillyGriffith?”saidMr.Archer.“Billyisaniceboy.Hebuysthings.”
“Butyoudidn’tactuallyseeMelvinstealtherifles,”saidSally.
“No,butthatwasbecauseofMrs.Hall’sbaby,”saidMr.Archer.“Thebabycan’twalk,buthecrawlslikeaflash.”
“Idon’tunderstandatall,”saidSally.
“Mrs.Hallputdownthebabytopaymeforadoll,”saidMr.Archer.“Thebabycrawledaway.Wefoundhiminthebackofthestore.Melvinwasholdinghim.”
“Youdon’tthinkMelvinwastryingtostealthebaby!”howledSally.
“Certainlynot,”snappedMr.Archer.“Iwassoglad to find thebabyunharmed that Ididn’twatchMelvinforseveralminutes.”
“That’swhenyouthinkhestoletherifles?”askedEncyclopedia.
“Hestolethem,”saidMr.Archer.“WhenIsawMelvinnext,hewasgoingoutthedoor.Hewalkedasifhislegsweredippedinconcrete.Hemusthavehadariflehiddenineachtrouserleg!”
Sallypickedupthehot-airfootwarmer.“Hehadthisinhistrousers!”shesaid.“It’saninvention.Itwarmsthefeet.”
Mr.Archerstaredatthefootwarmerindisbelief.Hescratchedhishead.
“IfMelvin isn’t the thief,who is?”hesaid.“I’mmissing tworifles,andIwant themback!”
“I’llhavethembackinanhour,”promisedEncyclopedia.
WHYWASENCYCLOPEDIASOSURE?
(Turntopage96forsolutiontoTheCaseoftheFootWarmer.)
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheElectricClockGilhadonly theelectricclock inhisbedroom.“Idon’thaveanotherclock,”he
toldEncyclopedia.
ButBugsclaimed thathehadheard theclockstill tickingwhenhepassedGil’sbedroomonthewayhome.
ThatwasBug’slie!
Bugshadthoughttoprovethethiefwassomeoneelse,someonewhocamelaterandunpluggedtheclock.
However,Bugscouldnothaveheardtheclockstillticking.
Why?
Becauseheforgotasimplefact:Electricclocksdon’ttick!
Trappedbyhisownlie,BugsgaveGilbackthetelescope.
Andhereturnedallthedimeshehadbeenpaidforthemoonmanshow.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheBirdWatcherBugshadtriedtogetEncyclopediaintrouble,buttwofactsruinedhisstory.
First, the Dade River ran due east to the ocean. Second, Bugs said he walkedtowardtheoceanatsunrise,watchingthebirdsalongtheriver.
Arealbirdwatcher,however,neverwalkseastearlyinthemorning!
Walkingintotherisingsun,thebirdwatcherwouldseethebirdsmerelyasdarkshapesagainstthebrightsky.Atsunrisetherealbirdwatcherwalkswestsothatthesun’sfulllightcomesfrombehindhimandfallsonthebirds.
Trippedupbyhisownstory,Bugsconfessed.
HehadsentEncyclopediathelettersigned“Bill.”Afterthedetectivehadtiredofwaitingfor“Bill”andhadleftMr.Dunning’sstation,Bugshadlettheairoutofthetireshimself.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheKidnappedPigsThekidnapperwasCarl,whoownedAlfred.
AlfredhadfinishedsecondtoLucy’spigGwendolineatlastyear’spetshow.CarlwantedAlfredtowinthisyear.
Sohe“kidnapped”bothpigs.Justbeforethepetshow,hewasgoingtosaythatAlfredescapedandfoundhiswayhome.
CarltriedtoputtheblameontheHurricanes.HestoleHarry’scap.Thenhemadeupthestoryaboutthekidnapperneedinganotherdimeforthetelephone.Thatwouldshowthecallerwasachild,notagrown-up,hethought.
ButCarlcouldnothavedialed thekidnapperback.There isnosuchnumberasZA6-7575becausethereisnoZonthetelephonedial!
Caughtinhisownlie,CarlreturnedGwendolinetoLucy.
AndthenextdayGwendolineagainwontheobediencecontestatthepetshow.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheBoundCamper
Thecluewasthecoffeepot.
FromthetimeMr.EvansclaimedhehadputthepotofcoffeeoverthefireuntilhereturnedwithEncyclopedia,morethanfortyminutespassed.
Afterfortyminutesonthefire,somuchwaterinthepotwouldhaveboiledawaythatnonecouldhaveboiledoverthetop.Yetboiloveritdid-beforeEncyclopedia’seyes!
ThatmeantthecoffeepotwasputonthefirelongafterMr.Evanssaiditwas.
Having given himself away, Mr. Evans confessed. He was really part of thekidnapgang.
Hehadwantedasimplestory.Sohesaidhedidn’tseethekidnappersbecausehewasbusywiththecoffeepot.
Actually,hehadput thecoffeeover thefire justbeforehispartnersgaggedhimandtiedhishandstomakehimlooklikeaninnocentvictim,andsenthimofftofind“help.”
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheJunkSculptorAs soon as Encyclopedia touched the old chair, he knew that Pablo had stolen
FourWheels’bikewheel.
Theboydetectivefoundthedropsofwhitepaintweredryand—whatelse?
Hefoundtheseatwascool.
IfPablohadbeensittingin thechairallmorning,asheclaimed, theseatwouldhavebeenwarmfromhisbodyheat!
Shownhismistake,Pabloconfessedtostealingthebikewheelandtotakingjunkfromothergarages.
He returned the bike wheel. He tried to return the junk, but no one wanted itreturned.
Indeed, once the people of the neighborhood learned that Pablo needed junk tomakehissculpture,theylethimhuntintheirgarageswheneverheliked.
“Ineverthoughttoask,”saidPablo.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheTreasureMapEncyclopediaknewthatPetehadruinedWinslow’smapafterfirstmakingacopy
tousehimself.
TheboydetectivesawthroughPete’sstoryabouttheportholeimmediately.
Peteclaimed that the tidewas rising“about five inchesanhour.”Thatpartwastrue.
ButPetealsosaidthathewasafraidthewaterwouldriseabovetheopenporthole,whichwas“eighteen inchesabove thewater line”whenhehaddroppedanchoratlowtide.
However, the rising tidewould never have reached the openporthole even if itrosetwiceasfast.
Fortheboat,floatingonthetide,wouldhaverisentoo!
Winslow let Pete dig up the island for another hour before telling him the“treasure”mapwasnothingbutasouveniroftheWorld’sFair.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheFiveCluesEncyclopediasawthat thestrangecollectionof thingson thecounterpointed to
Mrs.O‘Quinn.Shetookinsewing,remember?
Sheusedthecanofoiltooilhersewingmachine.
Shestitchedthroughtheblotterseveraltimesaftereachoiling.Thisremovedthedangerofgettingoilspotsonhermaterial.
Shestitchedthroughthesandpaperafewtimestosharpenherneedles.
Sheusedthemagnettopickupdroppedpins.
Shekept a rubberband around her spools of thread to keep them fromgettingtangled.
TherealthiefwasMrs.O‘Quinn’sdaughterMary,fourteen.Maryhadbeensentdownstairstothestore.Whenshegotback,shetoldhermotherthestorewasclosed.
Mrs.O’QuinnmadeMaryreturnthemoneyatonce.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheGoldRushWilfordWigginshadaproblem.
Hehadtoshowwhyheneededmoneyeventhoughhispartner,DiggerDan,hadsupposedlydiscoveredagoldmine.
SoWilfordmadeupastory.
Thestorywasaimedatshowingthatnogoldhadbeencarriedfromthemine.Thegoldhadtobemovedonthebackofananimal,andDiggerDanhadlosthismule,Queenie.
ButWilfordmadeamistake.
HetoldastoryinwhichQueeniethemulehadababy,Strike-It-Rich.
Immediately,Encyclopediaknewthestorywasuntrue.
Wilford didn’t know that neitherQueenie nor any othermule can have a babymule.
Amule is theoffspringof a femalehorse andamale ass.Mules simplycannothaveyoungoftheirown!
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheflyingBoyBucksaidhehadtakenoffbyjumpingthroughtheatticwindow.
“OnceIwasthroughthewindow,Iflewstraightforthewoods,”hesaid.
Thatmeanthehadnotcomebacktothewindow.
Butwhenheshowed thewindow toEncyclopedia, itwasclosed,and theshadewasdrawn!
Hecouldnothavejumpedthroughashadeandaclosedwindow!
Nobody could have come up to the attic and closed the window after he flewaway.Hewaslivingalonefortheday,andthehousewaslocked.
Buckdidn’tlikebeingfoundoutbyEncyclopedia.ButhereturnedthesixdollarstoCasper.
Andheretiredfromthebusinessofsellingflyinglessons.
SolutiontoTheCaseoftheFootWarmerEncyclopediaknewMelvinwasthethief.
ThefactthathewasholdingMrs.Hall’sbabyinhisarmsatthebackofthestoregavehimaway.
Inordertopickupthebaby,Melvinhadtobeabletobendover.
Sohewasnotwearingthefootwarmerinthestore.Remember,thetubesofthefootwarmerwere“hardandstiffasiron.”
Melvinconfessed.
Hehadgot theriflesoutof thestorebystickingone ineach trouser leg,asMr.Archersuspected.
Afterhidingtherifles,hehadputonhishotairfootwarmer.ThenhehadgonetotheBrownDetectiveAgency.Hehadhoped tomakeEncyclopediabelieve thathehadwalkedoutofthestorestifflybecauseheworethefootwarmer.
EncyclopediareturnedthetworiHes.
