TableofContentsTitlePage

Dedication

CopyrightPage

TheCaseoftheChampionSkier

TheCaseofSmellyNellie

TheCaseoftheFlyingSubmarine

TheCaseoftheBoyBoxers

TheCaseoftheModelUniverse

TheCaseoftheFlowerCan

TheCaseoftheHalf-WhiteHorse

TheCaseoftheAppleCider

TheCaseoftheTwo-DollarBill

TheCaseoftheAxHandle

IsEncyclopediatryingtostealaflyingsubmarine?Astheclubhousecameintoview,ahelicopterroaredoverhead.Encyclopediaglancedupandsawatinygraysubmarineflyingthroughtheair.Itcrashedintothethickwoodswestoftheclubhouse.

Encyclopedia and Sally jumped off their bikes. They dashed for the woods as BugsMeanyandtwoofhisTigerscameracingoutoftheclubhouse.

Theyalldrewupatthemuddyedgeofahollow.Atthebottomrestedthesubmarine.Itwassmashed,atotalloss.

Inafewminutessixofficers,ledbyChiefBrown,hadcircledthesub.

“Yougotherejustintime,Chief,”saidBugs.“Inanotherhour,thesubwouldhavebeenstrippedclean.”

“How’sthat?”saidChiefBrown.

“Isurehatetotellyouthis,”saidBugs.“YoursonandSallytriedtobreakintothesubandstealwhat’sinside.”

ReadallthebooksintheEncyclopediaBrownserieslNo.1EncyclopediaBrownBoyDetectiveNo.2EncyclopediaBrownandthe

CaseoftheSecretPitchNo.3EncyclopediaBrownFindstheCluesNo.4EncyclopediaBrownGetsHisManNo.5EncyclopediaBrownSolvesThemAllNo.6EncyclopediaBrownKeepsthePeaceNo.7EncyclopediaBrownSavestheDay

No.8EncyclopediaBrownTracksThemDownNo.9EncyclopediaBrownShowstheWayNo.10EncyclopediaBrownTakestheCaseNo.11EncyclopediaBrownLendsaHandNo.12EncyclopediaBrownandthe

CaseoftheDeadEaglesNo.13EncyclopediaBrownandthe

CaseoftheMidnightVisitor

ForParryandRaeLarsen

PUFFINBOOKS-PublishedbythePenguinGroup

PenguinYoungReadersGroup,345HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,U.S.A.PenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,

Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4P2Y3(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England

PenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),250CamberwellRoad,Camberwell,Victoria3124,Australia

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PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi-110017,IndiaPenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,NorthShore0632,NewZealand

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Rosebank,Johannesburg2196,SouthAfricaRegisteredOffices:PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2RORL,EnglandFirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericabyDuttonChildren’sBooks,

‘adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,’1971PublishedbyPuffinBooks,adivisionofPenguinYoungReadersGroup,2008

Copyright©DonaldJ.Sobol,1971

(MemberoftheAuthorsLeagueofAmerica,Inc.)Illustrationscopyright©ThomasNelsonInc.,1971

Allrightsreserved

LibraryofCongressCatalogCardnumber:77-160147

eISBN:978-1-101-04240-3

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partyWebsites

ortheircontent.

http://us.penguingroup.com

TheCaseoftheChampionSkierDinnerattheBrowns’redbrickhouseinIdavillewasnotlikedinnerinotherhomes.

TheBrownsnotonlybrokebreadtogether.Theybrokecrimestogether.

Mr. Brown was chief of police. People everywhere thought that he was the brainsbehindIdaville’swonderfulrecordoflawandorder.

Nobodycouldhaveguessedthetruth.BehindChiefBrown’ssuccesswashisonlychild—ten-year-oldEncyclopedia.

ChiefBrownbroughthomehishardestcases.Encyclopedia solved themwhileeatingdinner.Sincehehadbegunsecretlyhelpinghisfather,nocrookhadescapedarrest,andnochildhadgotawaywithduckingthelaw.

Chief Brown would have liked to pin a medal on Encyclopedia every time his sonsolvedacase.Butwhatgoodwoulditdo?

WhowouldbelievethattherealmastermindbehindIdaville’scrimecleanupwasafifthgrader?

Besides,Encyclopediacouldn’thavestoodupunderallthemedalswithoutgettingflatfeet.

SoChiefBrownsaidnothing.

Encyclopedianeverletslipawordaboutthehelphegavehisfather.Hedidnotwanttoseemdifferentfromotherboys.

However,therewasnothinghecoulddoabouthisnickname.

Onlyhisparentsandteacherscalledhimbyhisrightname,Leroy.EveryoneelsecalledhimEncyclopedia.

An encyclopedia is a book or set of books full of facts from A to Z—likeEncyclopedia’s brain.He had donemore reading than just about anybody in town.Hispalssaidthatwhenheturnedacartwheel,hisheadsoundedlikeabookcasefallingover.

ButoneeveningChiefBrownbroughthomeacaseEncyclopediacouldn’tsolveduringdinner.

ChiefBrownexplainedwhy.“Wedon’thaveanyfacts,”hesaid.

Mrs.Brownwasrelieved.“NowonderLeroycan’thelpyou,”shesaid.“Whatkindofcrimeisit,dear?”

“Kidnapping,”answeredChiefBrown.“OneofourambassadorsinLatinAmericahasbeenkidnapped.That’sallI’vebeentold.TheStateDepartmentwantsmetoflydownandseewhatIcando.”

“Itsoundslikeatop-secretcase,”saidEncyclopedia.“Boy,IwishIcouldgoalong!”

“Youcan,”saidhisfather.“TheStateDepartmentwantsmyvisittolooklikeafamilyholiday.Soallthreeofusaregoing.”

ThenextmorningEncyclopediahadhisfirstviewofIdavillefromthesky.

He couldn’t tell the houses of the rich families from those of the poor families, thechurchesfromthesynagogues,orthedelicatessensfromthebanks.

Beforehehadhadtimetopickouthisownhouse,thejetwasflyingovertheGulfofMexico.Heopenedhisbook,VertebratePaleontology.Ashereachedthelastchapter,thejetputdownwithalightbump.

AttheairporttheBrownsweremetbyamaninadarksuit.Hesaidhewasachauffeurfromthehotel.Heloadedtheirbagsintothebackofagreencar.

Ashestartedtheengine,heintroducedhimselfagain.HewasreallyMr.Rico,apoliceofficer.

“ThekidnappedmanisMr.Ware,yourambassadorhere,”hesaid.“Wearegoingtohishomenow.”

Ontheway,Mr.RicotoldChiefBrownallthefactsthatwereknownaboutthecase.

Mr.Warehadbeenkidnapped twodaysearlier.Hehadbeendriving toahotel in themountains for aweek of skiing.His empty car had been found in the snow twomilesbelowthehotel.

AttheairporttheBrownsweremetbyamaninadarksuit.

“Mr.Wareisachampionwaterskier,”saidMr.Rico.“Buthehadneverskiedonsnow.Hewantedtolearn.”

“Hadheeverbeentothehotelinthemountainsbefore?”askedChiefBrown.

“No,”repliedMr.Rico.“Hetoldnoonewherehewasgoingexcepthiswife.Infact,hegotaroomatthehotelunderadifferentname.”

“Whydidhewanttodothat?”inquiredMrs.Brown.

“For safety’s sake,” repliedMr. Rico. “Foreign service has become dangerous here.Peoplewhodon’tlikethegovernmenthavetakentokidnappingforeignofficials.”

“How much money are the kidnappers asking for Mr. Ware’s return?” said ChiefBrown.

“Thekidnappersneverwantmoney,”answeredMr.Rico.“Theywanttheirfriendsfreedfromprison.ForMr.Ware, theyaredemanding the freedomof fortymenbeingheld inprisonforcrimesagainstthegovernment.”

“Howawful!” exclaimedMrs.Brown. “Kidnappingan innocentman towin freedomforcriminals!”

Mr. Rico continued. “The nightMr.Ware disappeared, he gave a birthday party forhimself.Hewasforty-five.Heinvitedsixfriends.Eachbroughtagift.Theycameateighto’clockand found food, servants, andanote fromMr.Ware.Thenote saidhe’dhad toleavethecityearlyandforeveryonetoenjoythepartywithouthim.”

“Wasthereareasonforhismissinghisownparty?”inquiredChiefBrown.

“Therewasaweatherreportofasnow-stormduethatnight,”saidMr.Rico.“Hemusthavefiguredthatifhestayedfortheparty,he’dfindthemountainroadstothehotelsnow-bound.Soheleftthecitybeforethestorm.”

Mr. Rico stopped the car in front of the ambassador’s large house. He unlocked thefrontdoor.

Onthesofainthelivingroomwerethesixbirthdaygifts.

“Iopenedthem,”saidMr.Rico.“Ithoughttheremightbeaclueamongthem,buttherewasn’t.”

Encyclopediaandhisfatherlookedoverthegifts.EachgifthadacardbearingthenameoftheguestwhohadbroughtittoMr.Ware’sparty.

Theywerea speargun fromBillWatson,acanof skiwax fromHarrySmith,a facemask fromDan Perske, an air tank fromKurt Haper, a pair of water skis fromMartyBenton,andarubberdivingsuitfromEdFurgis.

Mr.Ricosaid,“Mrs.Wareiscertainthatherhusbandtoldnooneaboutthetriptothemountainsbutherself.”

“Mr.Waremustbeaproudman,”saidChiefBrown.“Hedoesn’twanttobeseendoinganythinguntilhecandoitwell.”

“Yes,”agreedMr.Rico.“Heisachampionwaterskier.Buthedidn’twantanyonetoseehimlearningtoskionsnowandperhapslookingsilly.Sohekepthistripasecret.”

“Hemusthavetoldsomeonebesideshiswife,”saidChiefBrown.“Andthatsomeone

workedwiththekidnappers.”

Mr.Riconodded.“ButwhomdidMr.Waretell?”

ChiefBrownlookedatEncyclopedia.

Encyclopediawhispered,“Hetold…”

WHOM?

(Turntopage87forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheChampionSkier.)

TheCaseofSmellyNellieEncyclopediahelpedhisfathersolvemysteriesatthedinnertableallyeararound.Inthe

summer,hehelpedthechildrenoftheneighborhoodaswell.

Whenschoolletout,heopenedhisowndetectiveagencyinthegarage.Everymorninghehungouthissign:

BROWNDETECTIVEAGENCY13RoverAvenue

LeroyBrown,PresidentNocasetoosmall

25perdayplusexpenses

One day Smelly Nellie came into the garage. She was only nine years old. Yet shealreadyhadearnedthemoneyforhercollegeeducation.

Shehaddoneitwithhernosealone.

Whenshewaseight,shehadsavedthecityhallfrombeingblowntokingdomcome.ShehadsniffedoutaleakinthegaslinerunningintothebuildingjustasMr.Barnes,themayor,wasabouttolightacigarnearby.

Asareward,thecitycouncilhadsetasidemoneytopayherwaythroughthecollegeofherchoice.

After that,noonecalledherbyher realname,NelitaTheodoraShortridge.EveryonecalledherSmellyNellieforshort.

Her nose didn’t stop at sniffing gas leaks. It could smell a marshmallow roast—oranythingelse—threeblocksaway,rainorshine.

WhenshecameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency,however,shewasn’tusinghernose.Shewasholdingit.

“Ambergris,”shegagged.

Encyclopedia had read about ambergris. It is passed out by sick whales. It is found

floatinginsouthernwatersandisusedinmakingperfume.

“Don’tjustsitthere,”pipedSmellyNellie.“Bringabottleofoilofpeppermint!”

Encyclopediajumpedtoit.WithintwentysecondshewasshovinganopenbottleunderSmellyNellie’swonderfulnose.Shebreatheddeeply.

“Thanks,”shesighed.“It’stheonlythingtoclearthepassages.”

“Whatsnarledthesneezer?”askedEncyclopedia.

“Didyoueverstandclose toambergris?”askedSmellyNellie.“It’sworse thanbeingscorekeeperataskunkfight.”

Shelaidtwenty-fivecentsonthegascanbesideEncyclopedia.

“Iwantyoutogetbackmyambergris,”shesaid.“BugsMeanystoleit!”

“GiveBugsafreehand,andhe’llstickitrightintoyourpocket,”saidEncyclopedia.

BugsMeanywastheleaderofagangoftougholderboys.Encyclopediahadoftenbeenhiredtostoptheirstealingandcheating.

“Let’sgospeakwithBugs,”saidEncyclopedia.

ThetwochildrentooktheNumber7bus.Duringtheride,SmellyNellietoldherstory.

ShehadfoundtheambergriswasheduponthebeachatLighthousePointthatmorningwhileshewassmellingforclams.

“BugsMeanyandhisTigerswereskindivingoffshore,”shesaid.“Iaskedthemtohelpmegetthestuffhome.”

TheTigershad laughedand toldher togochaseherself.SoSmellyNelliehad to tellthem the truth. A company in New York City was paying five dollars an ounce forambergris.

“Ifoundalumpthatmustweighfiftypounds,”shesaid.

Encyclopedia whistled and did some figuring: sixteen times fifty times five—fourthousanddollars!

“That’senoughmoneytobuyacar,”hesaid.

“BugsMeanythoughtthesame,”saidSmellyNellie.“Whenheheardwhatambergrisisworth,heaskedmeifIthoughthe’dlookgoodinasportscar.Thenhetoldmetoscram.”

TheTigerswerelyingontheirbacks,holdingtheirnosesandmoaning.

Thebushaltedatthelaststop,andthechildrengotoff.TheywalkedalongthebeachtowardLighthousePoint.

Afteraboutamile,SmellyNelliegaveacryandpinchedhernose.Encyclopediatook

thewarninganddidlikewise.

Anotherfewstepsbroughtthemaroundabend.TheysawthelighthouseandtheTigers.

TheTigershaddonenomore thanbeach their boat.Theywere lyingon their backs,holdingtheirnosesandgroaning.

Thelumpofambergriswasstillonthewetsandat thehigh-tideline.It lookedlikeaballofdark-graywax.

“TheTigers haven’t got awaywith the stuff yet,” said SmellyNellie gleefully. “Thesmellflattened’em!”

BugsMeanywas thefirst toseeSmellyNellieand theboydetective.Heshouted thealarmandsatupweakly.

“Beatit,”hegrowledatEncyclopedia.“OrI’llyankyourtonguesohardyourearswillrolluplikewindowshades.”

EncyclopediawasusedtoBugs’sgreeting.“TheambergrisbelongstoSmellyNellie,”hesaid.“Shefoundthelumpthismorning.”

“Me andmyTigers found the lump on the bottom of the oceanwhilewewere skindiving,”retortedBugs.

“Thenhowdiditgetonthebeach?”demandedEncyclopedia.

“Werolleditunderthewater,”repliedBugsMeany.“Thenwewaitedforthetidetogooutsowecouldliftitintotheboat.”

“Y-youhorse’sneck!”criedSmellyNellie.“You’relying!”

“AndIcanproveit,”addedEncyclopedia.

HOW?

(Turntopage88forthesolutiontoTheCaseofSmellyNellie.)

TheCaseoftheFlyingSubmarineThe only thing Bugs Meany wanted for Christmas was a chance to get even with

Encyclopedia.

Bugshatedbeingoutsmartedbytheboydetective.HelongedtoscrewEncyclopedia’sheadaroundsopeoplewouldtalkinfrontofhisfacebehindhisback.

But every time Bugs got such ideas, he remembered Sally Kimball, Encyclopedia’sjuniorpartner.Sallywastheprettiestgirlinthefifthgradeandthebestathlete.

Shewas also the only one—boy or girl—un—der twelvewhomBugs feared. Everytimehehadmixedwithher,shehadlefthimonthegroundtocool.

Because of Sally, Bugs never tried to push Encyclopedia around. He never stoppedtryingtogainrevenge,however.

“We’d better watch out for Bugs,” warned Sally. “He’s like aman fixing a ten-footclock.He’salwaystryingtogettheupperhand.”

ThedetectiveswerebikingintotowntolookoverthenewlineofcheesecakesattheTastyDelicatessen.Theyhad taken a shortcut,whichwas amistake.Thedirt pathwasslipperywithmudafteratwo-dayrain.

Thepath lednearMr.Sweeny’sAutoBodyShop.Behindtheshopstoodtheold toolshedwhichBugsandhisTigersusedforaclubhouse.

Astheclubhousecameintoview,ahelicopterroaredoverhead.Encyclopediaglancedupandsawatinygraysubmarineflyingthroughtheair.Itcrashedintothethickwoodswestoftheclubhouse.

Encyclopedia and Sally jumped off their bikes. They dashed for the woods as BugsMeany and two of his Tigers, Dutch Kuller and Jess Rae, came racing out of theclubhouse.

Theyalldrewupatthemuddyedgeofahollow.Atthebottomrestedthesubmarine.Itwassmashed,atotalloss.

“Man,oh,man!”criedBugs.“It’sanenemybomb!”

“It’samini-sub,youbaboon,”correctedSally.

“Whoeverheardofasubthatsmallandround?”jeeredBugs.“It’ssomekindoflong-rangebomb,that’swhatitis,sentbyacertaincountrytoblastusTigers!”

Bugsravedonabouthow“acertaincountry”wasouttogeteveryrealAmerican,likehisTigers.Encyclopedialookedupatthesky.Thehelicopterhadflownaway.Therewasnoplaceforittolandnearthewoods.

Sallystarteddownthemuddyslopetowardthesub.

“Stayback!”holleredBugs.“Thatthingcangooffanysecond!”

Hewinked at Dutch and Jess. Then he stuck out his foot, tripping Sally. She rolleddowntheslope.

“It’sanenemyspaceship,”sangBugs.“ThosepurpleguysfromMarscarryfreezeguns.They’llturnyouintoanice-creampie,rat-tat-tat.”

“Darnyou,BugsMeany,”gaspedSally,wipingmudfromhereyes.

BugssteppedtowardEncyclopedia.“UsTigerswillstandguardtilltheFBIarrives,”hesaid.“YouandMissMudBathcanclearout—now!”

“Andgiveyouachancetostealeverythinginsidethesub?”askedEncyclopedia.“Notonyourlife.”

“Okay,Mr.FoxyNose,”snarledBugs.Heliftedhisfists.“You’vebeenaskingforthisallsummer.Nobody’saround,so—”

“Don’tyoudare!”shoutedSally.

“Stay out of it,”warnedBugs. “I don’twant to dirtymyhands on you.”Hemade agreatshowofflickingaspeckofmudfromhisotherwisecleanpants.

Bugsstuckouthisfoot,trippingSally.

JessstruttedtowhereSallywasstrugglinguptheslopefromthesubmarine.“MeandDutchwillhandlethedame,”heboasted.

HebenttopushSally.Allatoncehewasslidinginthemud.

Sallyhadgrabbedhisarmandyanked.BeforeJessknewwhatwascomingnext, shehadhithiminthestomach.TheonepunchtamedallthreeTigers.

Jesslayinthemudmakingnoiseslikeafallingroof.BugsandDutchlookedasiftheroofhadfallenonthem.

“J-Jess!”splutteredDutch.“C-canyoubreathe?”

Jess’sreplywaslostinthescreamofpolicesirens.Inafewminutessixofficers,ledbyChiefBrown,hadcircledthesub.

Encyclopedialearnedfromhisfatherwhatwasgoingon.ThesubhadbeenonitswaytotheNavalBasefortests.

“Whenitfellfromthesling,thepilotradioedpoliceheadquarters,”saidChiefBrown.“It’sasecretweapon.WemustguardittilltheNavypeoplecantakeover.”

“Yougotherejustintime,Chief,”saidBugs.“Inanotherhour,thesubwouldhavebeenstrippedclean.”

“How’sthat?”saidChiefBrown.

“Isurehatetotellyouthis,”saidBugs.“YoursonandSallytriedtobreakintothesubandstealwhat’sinside.”

“Wedidnothingofthesort,”protestedEncyclopedia.

“Wearen’taskingformedals,butI’lltellyouthatusTigersdidourbesttostopthemwithoutusingforce,”saidBugs.

“Liar!”criedSally.“Ifyouhadlaidahandonme,I’dhavegivenyouwhatJessgot.”

“Youtalkmightybig,”saidBugs.“YouknowTigersdon’tfightgirls.”

“YoursontoldSallytoopenthesub,”putinJess.“Bugsattemptedtotalkheroutofit.Soshetrippedhim.Afterhewentdown,Itriedtotellhershewasdoingwrong,butshe’sawildcat.Shetrippedme,too.”

“Shewastryingtoopenthesubwhenyouarrived,Chief,”addedBugs.

ChiefBrownlookedconcerned.“Thisisserious,Leroy.It’syourwordagainsttheirs.”

“Don’ttakemyword,Dad,”saidEncyclopedia.“Lookat—”

LOOKATWHAT?

(Turntopage89forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheFlyingSubmarine.)

TheCaseoftheBoyBoxersSundayafternoon,Encyclopediawasreadingthenewspaperwhenthetelephonerang.

ThecallerwasElmerOtis.He talkedsofast thatEncyclopediahad torun inplace tokeepup.

“Elmer,”saidtheboydetective.“Elmer!Calmdown.”

“I’mcalmasaclam,”shotbackElmer.“Getthepolice!Getyourfather!”

“What’sthetrouble?”askedEncyclopedia.

“I’m at the Youth Center,” said Elmer. “Somebody just robbed the cash box in theoffice.”

ThecashintheofficeoftheYouthCenterneveramountedtomorethanthreedollars.Themoneywaskeptinacigarbox.Itwasusedtomakechangeforthecandyandsodamachines.

“Thisisn’texactlyacaseforthepolice,”saidEncyclopedia.

“It’sacaseforsomeone,”repliedElmer.“You’dbettergetoverherewhilethetrail ishot.”

HottrailsalwayswarmedEncyclopedia’sblood.HeclimbedonhisbikeandrodetotheYouthCenter.

HewassurprisedtofindSallysittingoutside.

“Boys,”shemutteredindisgust.

“What’sthematterwithboys?”demandedEncyclopedia.

“Theydomoretalkingthanpunching,”answeredSally.

Sheexplained.AlthoughtheYouthCenterwasusuallyclosedonSundays,Elmerandtwopals,Pete andOscar, hadbeen allowed touse it.Theywere training for the juniorboxingchampionshipsnextweek.

“Theywantedmetolaceontheirglovesandactasreferee,”saidSally.“But…phew!

They’reafraidtogethit.Igrewsickofwatchingthem.SoIcameoutsidetillthey’dneedmetotakeofftheirgloves.”

“They’resavingthemselvesforthetournament,I’msure,”saidEncyclopediaindefenseofhissex.ThenhetoldSallyaboutElmer’stelephonecallandthestolenmoney.

“Didyouseeanyoneleavethebuildingwhileyouweresittingoutfront?”heasked.

“No,thebuildingisemptyexceptforthosethreecreampuffs,”saidSally.

Shefrownedandsuddenlyclappedherhands.“Wait!JimHill…Isawhimcomefrombehindthebuilding.Hewalkedawayinaterriblehurry.”

“Jim could have sneaked in and out by the back door,” observedEncyclopedia. “Hemaybethethief.”

“Not Jim,” objected Sally. “He wasn’t even smart enough to become a Tiger. BugsMeanysayshestandsinfrontofamirrorwithhiseyesclosedtoseehowhelookswhenhe’sasleep.”

“MaybeJimhadhelp,”murmuredEncyclopedia.

Elmer,Pete,andOscarwereinthegym.Theyworeboxinggloves.

The twodetectiveswent inside.Elmer, Pete, andOscarwere in the gym.Theyworeboxinggloves.

Elmerwas shadowboxing ina comer.PeteandOscarwere sparring inperfect safety.

Neithercamewithinamileoflandingapunch.

“WhenIhityouonthenose,you’llsmellleatherforaweek,”promisedOscarwithoutmovingcloser.

“Yeah?Well,ifIhangoneonyourchin,yoursockswillflyoff,”retortedPete,keepinghisdistance.

“Thewindbags,”thoughtEncyclopedia.“Sallycoulddeckthembothinhalfaround.”

ElmerstoppedshadowboxingandcameovertoEncyclopedia.

“ThetheftmusthavehappenedafewminutesafterSallywentoutside,”hesaid.“Thethreeofuswereinthegym.Weheardacrashinthebackofthebuilding.”

“Didyouallgotoseewhatitwas?”askedEncyclopedia.

“Yes—itwasalamp,”saidElmer.“I’llshowyou.”

Thechildrenwalkeddownthehalltothebackofthebuilding,turnedright,andenteredtheoffice.

Thecigarbox, inwhich themoneywaskept, layon thedesk,empty.Abroken lampwasonthefloor.

“Welefteverythingasyouseeit,”saidElmer.

Encyclopediaopenedthelargeofficecloset.Next,hewalkedoutoftheofficeandtriedthebackdoor.Itopenedfromtheinside.Itwaslocked,however,toanyoneontheoutside.

“Didanyofyouthreeleavethegymbyhimself?”askedEncyclopedia.

“Wealldidatonetimeoranother,”saidElmer.“Wewentforadrinkofwater.”

Thewaterfountainwasacrossthehallfromthebackdoor.Encyclopediasteppedonthefootpedalandtookadrink.

“Theoffice,thebackdoor,andthewaterfountaincan’tbeseenfromthegym,”hesaidthoughtfully.“Andtheofficecan’tbeseenfromthewaterfountainorthebackdoor.”

“Isthataclue?”askedElmer.

“Ofcourse!”exclaimedSally.“Anyoneofyoucouldhavegoneforadrink,openedthebackdoor,andletinthethiefwithoutbeingseen.”

“Butthethiefcouldn’thaveescapedwithoutourseeinghim,”protestedElmer.“Whenweheardthecrash,Oscar,Pete,andIrushedtotheoffice.”

“AndwhileElmertelephonedyouforhelp,PeteandIwereatthewaterfountain,”saidOscar.“Thethiefcouldn’thaveslippedpastus.”

“Thethiefdidn’t,”saidEncyclopedia.“Whenheknockedoverthelamphehidinthecloset.Notuntilyouthreehadlookedaroundtheofficeandreturnedtothegymdidherunoutthebackdoor.”

“Doyoureallybelieveoneofushelpedthethief?”askedElmerangrily.

“Theotherwayaround,”saidEncyclopedia.“Thethiefhelpedoneofyou.”

WHOMDIDENCYCLOPEDIASUSPECT?

(Turntopage90forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheBoyBoxers.)

TheCaseoftheModelUniverseEncyclopediawassweeping thegarageafterdinnerwhenhesawHugoDipmanwalk

intoalamppost.

“Hugo!”calledEncyclopedia.“Areyouallright?”

“I—I’mokay,”gaspedHugo.Hestaggeredaroundonthesidewalkasifhedidn’tknowwhetherhewasonhisheadorhisheels.“Iwaslookingupatthestarsandcountingmymoney.”

“Counting…?”saidEncyclopedia.“Hey,you’rehurtworsethanyouthink.”

“Imaybewalkingaroundlikealeft-footedpony,butIknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,”insistedHugo.“I’mgoing,tomakemoneyoutofthestars.WilfordWigginssaysso.”

WilfordWigginswasahighschooldropout.HekeptEncyclopediabusystoppinghisget-rich-quickdealsfromcheatingthechildrenoftheneighborhood.

“Youcan’ttrustWilford,”warnedEncyclopedia.“He’drathercheatthaneat.Why,he’dpinabadgeonafrankfurterandsellitasapolicedog.”

“IknowWilfordisascrookedasacorkscrew,”saidHugo.“Butthistimeit’sdifferent.He’sreallygotaplantomakealluslittlekidsmillionaires.”

“What’stheplan?”askedEncyclopedia.

“Wilfordsayshe’llmakeanykidfivedollars foreverystar thatcanbeseenwith thenakedeye,”saidHugo.“Wilfordisholdingameetingattwoo’clocktomorrowinSouthParktoexplainhisidea.”

“Wilfordforgottotellmeaboutthemeeting,”musedEncyclopedia.

“He’snotexactlywildaboutyou,”pointedoutHugo.“You’veputhimdownsooftenhe’sbeginningtosqueaklikeadrawbridge.”

“Troubleis,healwayscomesbackup,”saidEncyclopedia.“IthinkI’dbettergoalongwithyoutomorrow.”

Afterlunchthenextday,EncyclopedialeftSallyinchargeofthedetectiveagency.HewentwithHugotoSouthPark.

“We’rejustintime,”saidHugo.

WilfordWigginswasstandingclosetothestatueofAbrahamLincoln.

“Boy, is he trying to lookwise andhonest,”murmuredEncyclopedia. “Thephony! Iwouldn’tbelievehimevenifhesworehewaslying.”

A large crowdof children had gathered in front ofWilford.He raised his hands andcalledforquiet.

“Steprightup,boysandgirls,”hebegan.“I’mgoingtotellyouhowyoucangetsorichandimportantyou’llneedtwodesks—oneforeachfoot!”

“Yourjokesgetworse,”complainedBennyBreslin.

“Okay,I’mnoclown,”saidWilford.“I’masquareshooter.I’mgoingtoletyouinonthebiggestsecretdealofyourlives.”

In the back of the crowd someone started clapping. Wilford believed he was beingapplaudedandbowed.

“Aw,youbigdummy.Iwasslappingmyhead tokeepawake,”shoutedBugsMeany.Hepushedtothefront.“Tellusyourmoney-makingideaandcutoutthechinmusic.”

“Youcan’twait,eh,kid?”saidWilford.“Greed, it’swonderful!Everyonewantseasymoney.Well,yourfriendandneighborWilfordWigginsisgoingtogetitforyou—withthis!”

Hereachedintohispocket.Thechildrenpressedforward.

“Hereitis!”criedWilford.“Hereisthemoney-makingwonder!”

AlargecrowdofchildrenhadgatheredinfrontofWilford.

Thechildrenstared.

“What is it, you ask?”Wilford went on. “I’ll tell you. It’s a half-inchmodel of theearth!”

Hepassedthetinyballamongthechildren.

Thenhecontinued:“Mypartner,ProfessorWolfgangSchmidtofGermany,isbuildingamodeloftheuniverse.We’llshowitalloverAmerica.”

“Makingamodeluniversewillcostalot,won’tit?”saidDesmondDurand.

“You’vegot tospendmoney tomakemoney,” repliedWilford.“ProfessorSchmidt istryingtoraiseamilliondollars.He’llneedtomanufacturethousandsofstarsandplanetsand moons and what not. Every child will want to see this exhibit! Every man andwoman!”

Themodeloftheearthwaspassedfromhandtohand.AtlastitreachedHugo.“Surelooksgood,”hesaid.

“YoucanseewithyourowneyesthatI’mnottryingtotrickyou,”saidWilford.“Youcanbuyashare—eachandeveryoneofyou—inthisgreatestshowinhistory.”

“Howmuch is a share?”demandedBugs, still doubtful butgivingway to the call ofeasymoney.

“Fivedollars,”repliedWilford.“Intwoyearsyourmeaslyfivedollarswillhavegrownintomillions!”

The thrill of thosemillions swept through thecrowdof children.Morepeoplewouldcometoseethemodeluniversethanwatchedfootball!

“WecouldputtheexhibitintheAstro-dome!”saidCarlBetts.

Thesuggestionstartedastormofexcitement.Thechildrenarguedaboutwheretoputthemodeluniverseonexhibit.TheYankeeStadium!TheRoseBowl!

LucyFibbshadthebiggestidea.

“PutitintheGrandCanyon!”sheshrieked.

Nobodycouldtopthat—exceptEncyclopedia.

“Putitinthetrashcan,”hesaid.

Instantlytherewassilence.Allheadsturnedtowardtheboydetective.

“Saveyourmoney,”hesaid.“You’llneverseeitagainifyougiveittoWilford.”

WHYNOT?

(Turntopage91forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheModelUniverse.)

TheCaseoftheFlowerCanStellaBoswellranintotheBrownDetectiveAgency.

“Abigboyjusttriedtorobme!”shecried.

“Ofwhat?”askedEncyclopedia.

“These!”Shehelduparustycanfilledwithwildflowers.

Encyclopediagazedattheflowers.Itwashardtothinkofanythinglessworthstealing,exceptmaybeastomachache.

“Iwantyoutocatchthethief,”saidStella.“He’sdangerous.”

SheputacoinonthegasolinecanbesideEncyclopedia.Itdidn’tclinklikeaquarter.Itclunked.

“I’msorry,butit’stheonlymoneyIhave,”shesaid.“Isitworthtwenty-fivecents?”

Encyclopediapickedupthecoin.Heturnedthreeshadesofpink.

“This isan1861Confederatesilverhalf-dollar!”heexclaimed.“It’sworthabout fivethousanddollars!Wheredidyougetit?”

“Five thous—ahhhh” answeredStella. She stopped breathing, though hermouthwasopenwideenoughtoairouthertoes.“Five—ahhhh.”

Finally she swallowedhardandgaspedout, “Thebigboydropped it.”Then she toldwhathadhappened.

Shewasreturningfrompickingwildflowerswhenaboyofabouteighteenranby.Thepaperbaginhishandknockedagainsthershoulderandbrokeopen.

“Coinsfellalloverthesidewalk,”saidStella.“Hepickedthemup-andgrabbedformyflowercan.Butacardroveupthestreet,andheranaway.”

“That’s when you discovered the half dollar had fallen into the flower can?“ askedEncyclopedia.

“Coinsfellalloverthesidewalk,”saidStella.

“Yes,and I’mbeginning tounderstand,”saidStellawithasigh.“Hewanted thecoinandnotmybeautifulflowers.”

“Wouldyouknowtheboyifyousawhimagain?”

Stellashookherhead.“Everythinghappenedsoquickly.”

Encyclopedia’sbrainwasgoingfast.Theboymusthavestolenthecoins.Otherwise,hewouldn’thavebeenscaredoffbyapassingcar.

Hewouldbehangingaroundtheneighborhood,waitingforanotherchanceatStella….

Encyclopedia pushed her into the house and locked the doors. “Can you bake?” heinquired.

“Onlysugarcookies,”shereplied.“They’llsimplymeltinyourmouth.”

“Great,”saidEncyclopediaandhurriedtotelephonepoliceheadquarters.

He wasn’t surprised to learn that the theft of a rare coin collection had just beenreported.HetoldhisfatheraboutStellaandtheConfederatehalf-dollar.

“IthinkIcantrapthethief,”saidtheboydetective.

ChiefBrownlistenedtohisson’splan.“Itmightwork,”hesaid.“I’llsendOfficerHallandPolicewomanTaylortohelpyou.”

Aftergivingthepoliceofficershalfanhourtogetintoplace, thetwochildrenstartedfor Stella’s house. Stella carried the flower can. Encyclopedia carried his own coincollection.

“Icanfeelsomeonewatchingus,”whisperedStella.

“It’s Officer Hall,” said Encyclopedia. “He’s across the street selling tickets to thepolicemen’sballdoortodoor.Thethiefwon’tbotheruswhilehe’sontheblock.”

WhentheyenteredStella’shouse,theyfoundPolicewomanTaylordressedasamaid.

Encyclopediaswiftlysetthestageforthearrivalofthethief.

Hespreadhiscoinsonthekitchentable.TheflowercanwiththewildflowersandtheConfederatehalf-dollarheputbehindtheelectricmixer,whereitcouldnotbeeasilyseen.

Stella meanwhile got out what she needed to bake sugar cookies—butter, an egg, abottleofvanilla,acanofbakingpowder,matchingcansofsugarandflour,ateaspoon,ameasuringcup,andarollingpin.

“OfficerHall turneddownWorthStreet,”saidPolicewomanTaylorfromthewindow.“Hejustdisappearedaroundthecorner.”

“Wecanexpectourthiefanyminute,”saidEncyclopedia.

FiveminuteslaterPolicewomanTayloransweredthedoorbell.Sheledanervousboyofeighteenintothekitchen.

“Hi,” he said. “My name is Bret. I’m selling magazines to work my way throughcollege.”

“I’magreatreader,”saidStella.“Whatmagazinesareyouselling?”

Brettookoutalargefoldershowingmanymagazines.

“Ican’tlookrightnow,”saidStella.“Ooops!”

Shehadnearlyknockedoverthecanofflourreachingforthebutter.

“Wouldyouholdtheflourformeasecond?”sheasked.

“Sure,”saidBret.Hetooktheflourandglancedatthetable,whereEncyclopediawasrattlinghiscoinsnoisily.

“Areyouinterestedincoins?”askedtheboydetective.

“It’ssortofahobbyofmine,”repliedBret.

“Ifoundafunnycointhismorning,”saidStella.

“I’dliketoseeit,”saidBret.

“Ihiditintheflowercan,”saidStella,wipingherhandsonherapron.

Bretwalkedaroundthekitchentillhespiedthecanofwildflowersstickingupbehindtheelectricmixer.Hiseyeslitupasheseizedit.

He was so busy digging out the Confederate half-dollar that he didn’t noticeEncyclopediasignalPolicewomenTaylor.

Before Bret knewwhat was happening, the policewoman had snapped handcuffs onhim.

HOWDIDBRET

GIVEHIMSELFAWAY?

(Turntopage92forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheFlowerCan.)

TheCaseoftheHalf-WhiteHorse“I know that look,” said Mrs. Brown across the dinner table. “You’ve solved an

importantcase.”

ChiefBrownsetdownhissoupspoonandgrinned.

“DoyouremembertheFairchildjewelryrobbery?”heasked.“IthappenedlastweekinGlennCity.”

“Thestolenpiecesofjewelryhadlittleresalevalue,”saidMrs.Brown.“ButtheyhadbeeninMr.Fairchild’sfamilyforyears.Hewasveryupsetbytherobbery.”

“That’sright,”saidChiefBrown.“Mr.Fairchildwasafraidthethiefwouldthrowawaythejewelswhenhediscoveredtheywereallnearlyworthless.SoMr.Fairchildofferedafive-thousanddollarrewardfortheirreturn,withnoquestionsasked.”

“Gosh,Dad,”saidEncyclopedia.“Thethieftookanawfulchancereturningthejewelry,evenforfivethousanddollars,”

“Thethiefdidn’treturnthem,”correctedChiefBrown.“EarleCoughlinspiedthethiefontheseawayridingpath.Earlewillgetthereward.”

“Whoisthethief?”askedMrs.Brown.

“SolSchwartz,”answeredChiefBrown.“Ihadtoarresthim.”

Encyclopedia was shocked. Sol ran the Idaville Riding Academy and gavehorsebackridinglessons.Hewasabig,friendlyman.

Encyclopediashookhishead.“Ican’tbelieveSolisathief.”

“Wefoundsomeofthestolenjewelry—asetofcufflinks—inhisbedroom,”saidChiefBrown.“I’msorry…IfeelthesamewayaboutSolasyoudo.”

“Well,ifyoufeelSolissuchafineman,whydidyouarresthim?”askedMrs.Brown.

“Thecufflinksareenoughevidence,”repliedChiefBrown.“Andthereisthewitness,EarleCoughlin.”

“JustwhatdidEarleCoughlinsayhesaw?”demandedMrs.Brown.

ChiefBrownunbuttonedhisbreastpocket.Hetookoutanotebook.ThenhereadwhatEarleCoughlinhadtoldhim.

“YesterdayIwasoutinmyboatfishing.Ihadanchoredafewhundredyardsoffshore.1noticedahorseandridermovingalongtheseawayridingpath.”

ChiefBrownlookedupandsaid,“Theseawayridingpathisonlyaboutsixfeetwide.Itrunsbytheseamidwayupacliffofaboutahundredfeet.”Thenhereadon.

“Iwasamazedtoseetheriderstop.Igotoutmyfieldglasses.Thehorsewaswhiteandblack,withalargebell-shapedblackmarkontheshoulder.

“TheHorsewaswhiteandblack,withalargebell-shapedblackmarkontheshoulder.”

“Theriderdismountedwithhisbacktome,andsoIcouldn’tbesureofhisfacethen.Butbehad‘IdavilleRidingAcademy’sewnacrossthebackofhisshirt.

“Hewent intoasmallopening in thecliff.Whenhecameout, Icouldsee itwasSolSchwartz.Hemountedandrodeoff.

“I dockedmy boat, and being curiouswent into the cave. I found a sack filledwithjewelryhiddenunderarock.IreportedwhatIhadfoundimmediatelytothepolice.”

“Ichecked thecave,”saidChiefBrown.“The jewelry in thesackmatched the listofpieces stolen from Mr. Fairchild, except that a set of cuff links was missing. I got awarrant to search Sol Schwartz’s home. The cuff linkswere in a dresser drawer in hisbedroom.”

“DidSolconfess?”askedMrs.Brown.

“No,”answeredChiefBrown.“Hesaidhe’dneverseenthecufflinksbefore.”

Encyclopedia sat in glum silence. Sol always wore a shirt with “Idaville RidingAcademy”sewnontheback.Worse,thewhite-and-blackhorsewiththebell-shapedmarkontheshoulderwasHalf-and-Half.OnlySolrodehim.

Half-and-Half was twenty-three, old for a horse. As the years had passed, the blackspotshad faded fromhis left side, leavinghimentirelywhite there.But the sidewhichEarleCoughlinhadseen,therightside,remainedspottedblackandwhite.

Twice a week Sol took old Half-and-Half out for a ride along the seaway path andreturnedtotheacademybytheinlandpaththroughthewoods.

“SoladmittedridingthehorseontheseawaypathwhenEarleCoughlinclaimstohaveseen him,” said Chief Brown. “But Sol says he never dismounted. He insists he hadnothingtodowiththejewelryrobbery,either.”

“EarleCoughlincouldhaveputthejewelsinthelittlecavehimself,”pointedoutMrs.Brown. “He could also have sneaked into Sol’s bedroom, planted the cuff links in thedrawer,andreportedeverythingtoyou.”

“Doyouthinkhe’stryingtoframeSol?”askedChiefBrown.

“IfEarleCoughlinistherealthief,hecertainlywouldputtheblameonsomeoneelse.Thenhecouldcollectthefive-thousand-dollarreward,”saidMrs.Brown.

“I’vethoughtofthat,”saidChiefBrown.“ButSolhasnoalibiforthetimethejewelrywasstolen fromMr.Fairchild.Solsayshewasout ridingwhen the robbery tookplace.Unfortunately,nobodysawhim.”

“Solhasgot tobe innocent,” insistedEncyclopedia. “Something iswrongwithEarleCoughlin’sstory.”

Theboydetectiveclosedhiseyes.Healwaysclosedhiseyeswhenhedidhishardestthinking.

“IfSolonlyhadawitnessbesidesEarleCoughlin,”saidMrs.Brown.

Encyclopediagaveastart.

“That’sit,Mom!”heexclaimed.“Soldoeshaveanotherwitness—oldHalf-and-Half!”

WHATDIDENCYCLOPEDIAMEAN?

(Turntopage93forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheHalf-WhiteHorse.)

TheCaseoftheAppleCiderBusterWildewasthestaroftheWestSideMidgets,Idaville’sPeeweeLeaguefootball

champions.

During the off-season, Buster carried his football helmet everywhere he went.Wheneverhefeltlikeit,hetougheneduphisskull.Heputonthehelmetandchargedthenearesttreeheadfirst.

OnthedayhecameintotheBrownDetectiveAgency,however,hewasn’tcarryinghishelmet.Hewascarryingabird.

“LookwhatIfound,”hesaid.HelaidthebirdonthedeskinfrontofEncyclopedia.

“It’s a cedar waxwing,” said Encyclopedia. “They fly through Idaville on their waynortheverysummer.Whataboutit?”

“This,”saidBusterandgavethebirdagentlepoke.“Watch.”

Thebirdtooktwostepsandfellonitsface.

“It’shurt,poorthing!”criedSally.

“Naw,”saidBuster.“It’sdrunk.”

Encyclopediaputhisnoseclosetothebird’sbeakandsniffed.

“You’vegotapoint,”hegaspedindisbelief.“Itsmellslikeabeergarden.”

Busterexplainedthathehadfoundthebirdonthewaytovisithisgrandmother.

“I saw this big oak tree,” he said. “Since my grandmother doesn’t like me to playfootball,Ididn’tbringmyhelmet.Idecidedtohaveagoatthetreeanyway.”

“Bareheaded?”exclaimedSally.

“Yep,”answeredBuster.“I’vealwayswonderedhowtoughmyheadreallyis.”

Hehadfoundout.Whenheawakened,thetreewasstillstanding.Butbirdswerefallingoffthebranches.

“Atfirst,”saidBuster,“IfiguredIwasstilldizzy.Iwasn’t.Thebirdswere.Theyweresocock-eyeddrunktheycouldn’tseethroughaladder.”

“ThatIwanttosee,”saidEncyclopedia.

Sallyplaced the tipsybird in the sun to recover.Then the threechildrenbiked to the

sceneofthemystery.

Busterpointedtoalargeyardfulloftreesandberrybushesbehindawhitehouse.“Seeforyourself,”hesaid.

Encyclopediabehelddozensofbirds,mostofthemcedarwaxwings.Somewerefallingoffbranches.Afewwerefloppingaroundasif lost inafog.Therestweresohightheycouldn’tevenleavetheground.

The boy detectivemoved carefully among the birds and the berry bushes. Strangely,therewerenoberriesontheground,andthoseinthebusheswerestillgreen.

Theboydetectivemovedcarefullyamongthebirdsandtheberrybushes.

Suddenlyhespiedabirdfeederhangingfromatreebranch.Itwasfilledwithberries.

Hefrowned.“Thesearefermented,”hesaid.

“Whatdoes‘fermented’mean?”inquiredBuster.

“It is what happens to fruits like apples and grapes and berries when they get old,”answeredEncyclopedia.“Forinstance,fermentedappleciderturnstoapplewine.Someofthesugaristurnedintoalcohol,andalcoholcanmakeyoudrunk.”

“Areyousayingthatsomeonehasputfermentedberries in thefeeder toget thebirdsdrunk?”askedSally.

“Whoever it is picks the ripe berries from the bushes and off the ground,” saidEncyclopedia. “Then he stores them. After they have fermented, he puts them in thefeeder.”

“Andwhenthebirdsdropdownforasnack,theygetdrunk,justlikeamanwhodrinkstoomuchwine,”saidSally.“Whatacrueljoke!”

“Thefermentingberriescouldbestoredinthattoolhouse,”saidBuster.

“Hey,youkids!”avoicecalled.“Thisismyyard.Whatdoyouwant?”

ItwasCarlHiggensbottom,oneofBugsMeany’sTigers.Hecameoutthebackdoorofthehouse.

“Weknowwhatyou’vebeendoing to thepoorbirds just for laughs,” snappedSally.“Youshouldbereportedtothepolice.”

“Thisgirlhascountedtoomanycows,”saidCarl.

“Don’tbesmart,”saidSally.“Openthetoolhouse.I’llbettherearefermentingberriesinthere.”

“Youought tobeplayingwith thesquirrels,” jeeredCarl.“Nobody’sbeen in the toolhouseforsixmonths.Butifyoumustsee…”

Hedrewaringofkeysfromhispocketandunlockedthetoolhouse.

Insidewereatableandthreechairs.Ontheshelfabovetheopenwindowstoodahalf-filledglassjugofapplecider,acandle,andseveralboxesofmatches.

“Lastyearwekeptthelawnmowerinhere,”saidCarl.“Buttheroofleaked.Thenforawhilethisspring,usTigersuseditformeetingswhilewefixedupourclubhouse.”

“Encyclopedia,”whisperedBuster.“Thereisn’taberryinsight.MaybewewerewrongaboutCarl.”

Carlgrinned.“Yousurewere,butnobody’sperfect,”hesaidgrandly.

Hewent into thehouseandbroughtoutabagofdoughnutsand fourpapercups.Hepassedoutthedoughnutsandfilledthecupswithappleciderfromtheglassjuginthetoolhouse.

“Areyoutryingtobribeus?”demandedBuster.Hesankhisteethintothedoughnutanddranktheappleciderasifheenjoyedbeingbribed.

“Idon’twantanyhardfeelings,”saidCarl.

SallyturnedtoEncyclopedia.“Can’tyouproveCarlislying?”shesaid.

Encyclopediatastedthedoughnutandapplecider.Thoughtfullyhelickedhislips.

“Theproofisn’thard,”hesaid.

WHATWASTHEPROOF?

(Turntopage94forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheAppleCider.)

TheCaseoftheTwo-DollarBillSumnerFinklefootersteppeduptotheBrownDetectiveAgencyandbellowed,“Down

withone-dollarbills!”

“Gee,Sumner,”saidEncyclopedia.“Whathavetheyeverdonetoyou?”

“Nothing,”answeredSumner.“It’swhatthey’vedonetoThomasJeffersonthatmakesmesore.”

ThomasJefferson, the thirdPresidentof theUnitedStates,wasSumner’shero.Once,when his father said he’d like to see some change in him, Sumner had swallowed fiveJeffersonnickels.

“Whathaveone-dollarbillsgottodowithJefferson?”askedEncyclopedia.

SumnerFinklefooterbellowed,“Downwithone-dollarbills!”

“They’vemadehimtheforgottenman!”saidSumner.“Everybodyknowswhosepictureisontheone-dollarbill—GeorgeWashington’s.Buthowmanypeopleknowwhoisonthetwo-dollarbill?”

“ThomasJefferson,”whisperedEncyclopedia.

“Aw,you’vegottoomuchhead,”objectedSumner.“Nobodyelseintownwouldhaveknown,becausetherearen’tanytwo-dollarbillsaround.Everybodyusesone-dollarbills.Iaimtocorrectthat.”

“AreyougoingtowriteyourCongressman?”

“I’m going to write every Congressman and Senator in Washington, D. C.,” saidSumner.“Whenyouhaveacauselikemine,youcan’tthinksmall.”

“Sumner,” said Encyclopedia with admiration. “Jefferson would have been proud ofyou.”

“AllIwant ismore two-dollarbillsprinted,”saidSumner.“Whatgoodisonedollar?Youcanhardlybuyanythingwithittoday.”

“You’remakingsense,”saidEncyclopedia.“Ioughttoraisemyfee—”

“Not yet!” exclaimed Sumner.He laid twenty-five cents beside the boy detective. “Iwanttohireyou.IneedtogetthenamesandaddressesofallthosemeninWashington.”

EncyclopediareturnedSumner’stwenty-fivecents.

“No charge,” he said. “Iwas going to the library today anyway.We can lookup thenamesthere.”

As theybiked to the library,Sumner talked about his grand idea.The two-dollar billwouldbeascommonas theone-dollarbill.Thomas Jeffersonwould soon rest ineverycashregister,purse,andpairofpantsinIdaville!

At the library, Encyclopedia went to the reference desk. He asked for the bookMembersofCongress.

“JoeMunsonhasit,”saidMrs.Silvers,theheadlibrarian.“Youmayhaveitwhenhe’sthrough.Butitmustnotbetakenfromthebuilding.”

Joe Munson was sitting at a table by himself, surrounded by books. Members ofCongresswasopeninfrontofhim,andhewascopyingfromit.

“It’stotalwar!”declaredSumnerunderhisbreath.“JoeisafanofUlyssesS.Grant.HewantsGrant’spicturemovedfromthefifty-dollarbilltotheone-dollarbill.”

“He’sgotatougherfightthanyou,”saidEncyclopediabywayofencouragement.

“Thedirtyrat!”saidSumner.“ItoldhimIwasgoingtoyouforhelp.Heprobablyracedstraighthere.He’llkeepthatbookallafternoon.HisletterswillgettoWashingtonaheadofmine!”

“Youcan’tdoanythingbutwait,”saidEncyclopedia.

“Oh,no?I’llfixhim,”vowedSumner.“I’llgivehimtheSumnerstare.”

Sumnersatdownatthetableandstared.Joelookedup.HesawSumnerstaringathim.Heshifteduncomfortably.

Encyclopedia knew Joe couldn’t take the famous Sumner eyeballing very long. Hewouldsoongiveupandleave.ThenSumnerwouldhaveMembersofCongress.

Inthemeantime,therewasnothingforEncyclopediatodo.Sohewenttotheshelvesmarked“NewArrivals—OneWeekBooks.”HehadchosenthreewhenSumnerhurriedtohim.

“Joehidmytwo-dollarbill!”Sumnerblurted.

“Sssh!”saidseveralgrown-upsangrily.“Sssh!”

Encyclopedia pushed Sumner outside where they could talk. Excitedly, Sumner toldwhathadhappened.

Joehadaskedhimforatwo-dollarbill.Joesaidhewantedtocopytheserialnumberinorder toprove toCongress that thereweremore two-dollarbills inuse than fifty-dollarbills.

“I’mtootrusting,”saidSumner.“Igavehimthebill.Ishouldhavegivenhimacrackedlip!”

AftergivingJoethebill,Sumnerhadgotuptogetadrink.Thewaterfountainwasn’tworking,andsohehadwalkedacrossthestreettothegasstation.

Whenhereturned,Joewasgone.ThetablewasemptyexceptforMembersofCongress,whichlayopen.Stuckbeneathitwasanote:

Sumner—I put your two-dollar bill between pages 157 and 158 of the gray book.Thanks—Joe.

Sumnerhadquestionedthelibraryaide,ClydeJones.ClydesaidthatafterJoehadleft,he had cleared the table of books except forMembersofCongress. He never removedbookswhichwereopenedtillclosingtime.

Then, Clyde said, he had put the other books on the table into his library truck andreturnedthemtotheshelves.Herememberedagraybook.Buthedidn’trememberwherehehadreturnedit.

“Joe suregotevenwithme for staringathim,” saidSumner. “Whata rotten trickhepulled.Theremust be a thousand gray books in the library—ten thousand,maybe. It’lltakedaystofindmytwo-dollarbill!”

“Takeiteasy,”saidEncyclopedia.“Iknowwheretofindit.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(Turntopage95forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheTwo-DollarBill.)

TheCaseoftheAxHandleSaturdaymorningEncyclopediawentdowntoMillCreektofish.

He found thegang already there—PinkyPlummer,HerbStein,BennyBreslin,FangsLiveright,andBillyandJodyTurner.Theylookedasiftheworldhadcometoanend.

“Just when the fish were biting like crazy, we ran out of worms,” moaned BennyBreslin.

“I can find you more,” said a boy as he stepped from behind some palm trees. Hepickedupthecanthathadheldtheworms.

“I’mAmbroseVining. I’ll be back,” he said and disappeared as suddenly as he hadcome.

Encyclopediaandhispalslookedatoneanotherandfollowedatadistance.

Ambrose walked slowly. He stopped often to pick up a branch, which he studiedcarefully.Eachtimeheeitherthrewitawayorkeptitinsteadoftheonehehad.

Finally he came to some soft, shaded ground.He put down the can and sank to hisknees.Hepushedthebranchintothegroundandrubbedit.

“Thiskidisweird,”saidBennyBreslin.

“Wait…”saidHerbStein.“Hestoppedrubbing.”

Wormshadwiggledupnearthebranch.Ambrosedroppedthemintothecan.Thenhepushedthebranchintoanotherspotandrubbedagain.

Encyclopediaandhispalscouldnotholdtheircuriosityin.Theysteppedforwardfromhiding.

“How’dyoudothat?”demandedJodyTurner.“Imean,whatisthetrickyoudowiththebranch?”

Ambrosepushedthebranchintothegroundandrubbedit.

“Ifiddle,”saidAmbrose.

Heexplained.Inthedaytime,wormsremainintheground.Sothewormhunterfiddles—hepoundsastickintothegroundandrubsittomakeittremble.

“Iget it,”saidEncyclopedia.“Thetremblingspreadsthroughtheearthandbringsthewormstothesurface.”

“Doesanyoneelseknowaboutwormfiddling?”askedBillyTurner.

“Lotsofpeople,”saidAmbrose.“Theyusedifferentstrokes.Anddifferenttools.Someuseaxhandles.Someusesticksofwoodorwhateverworksbestforthem.”

FangsLiverightstaredatthewormswigglinginthecan.“Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?”

“SincebeforeIwasborn,”answeredAmbrose.“Buttomorrowisthebigday.ThefirstInternationalWormFiddlingChampionshipwillbeheldinGlennCity.I’mentered.”

TheboysgatheredaroundAmbrose.Theyslappedhisbackandwishedhimluck.

Encyclopediawentonebetter.ThenextdayheandSallyrodethebustoGlennCitytoseeAmbrosemakehistory.

A crowd of a thousandwas on hand towatch the championship contest on the highschoolfootballfield.ThetwodetectivesspiedAmbroseseatedunderthestands.Hewasneartears.

“The championship will start in a few minutes,” he said. “I don’t have anything tofiddlewith!”

“Goodgrief!”exclaimedSally.“Howcome?”

“I loaned my best ax handle to Justin Rogers yesterday,” said Ambrose. “Justin’smotherisinthecontest.Hesaidhe’dlikehertotrymyaxhandleandmaybeshe’dbuyonelikeitforthechampionship.”

“Youwereagoodsporttolendit,”saidSally.“I’msureyou’llgetitbackintime.”

“IfJustindoesn’tshowup,I’vehadit,”saidAmbrose.“I’monlyasecond-ratewormfiddlerwithoutmybestaxhandle.”

Suddenlyhegaspedinrelief.

“There’sJustin,”hesaid.

Aboyofseventeencamehurryingover.HecarriedAmbrose’saxhandle.Itwasbrokenintwo.

“Idon’tknowwhattosay,”apologizedJustin.“Ileanedthehandleagainstaboxinthegaragelastnight.ThismorningIforgotaboutit.Idrovethecaroveritbackingout.”

“Didn’tyouhearthecrack?”askedEncyclopedia.

“I had the car radio going,” said Justin. “I felt thewheels run over something, but Ithoughtitwasthegardenhose.Honest,Ambrose,itwasanaccident.I’msorry.”

Ambrosewas stunned.He held the two pieces of the handle. The print of a car tireshowedclearlyattheplacewherethehandlehadbroken.

Awhistleblew.Mr.Pardee,theheadjudge,wascallingthewormfiddlerstothefield.

Therewereforty-ninemenandtwentywomenandAmbrose,representingthirtystatesandsevenforeigncountries.Eachhadatwenty-footsquareoffieldsurroundingastake.Whoever made the most worms come up in his square would be the world championwormfiddler.

“I’m a loser,” groaned Ambrose. “I’ve got nothing but my two bare hands to makethosewormsseedaylight.”

“You’renot. lickedyet,”saidEncyclopedia.“Use the longerpieceofyouraxhandle.You’vegottotry!”

“Isupposehalfanaxhandleisbetterthanmyfingernails,”agreedAmbrose.Hetrudgedtohissquare.

A gun went off. The crowd roared. The First International Worm FiddlingChampionshiphadbegun.

Ambrosefiddledasifforhisverylife.Itwassoonplainthathewasinanip-and-tuckbattlefortheleadwithJustin’smother.

Theyfiddledwormforwormtill thegunsoundedending thecontest. Justin’smotherhad won with twenty-four worms. Ambrose had fiddled up twenty-three—for secondplace.

“IfonlyyoucouldproveJustinbrokeAmbrose’saxhandleonpurpose,Encyclopedia!”saidSally.

“Ican,”answeredtheboydetective.

HOW?

(Turntopage96forthesolutiontoTheCaseoftheAxHandle.)

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheChampionSkierMr.Ware, the kidnappedman, was a championwater skier who didn’t want

anyonetoknowhewaslearningtoskionsnow.

Sohetoldonlytwopersons—hiswifeandHarrySmith.

HarrySmithwasoneofthesixfriendsMr.Wareinvitedtohisbirthdayparty.

EncyclopediasawthatfiveofthegiftswereinkeepingwithMr.Ware’sknowninterestinwaterskiing.

ButHarrySmithhadbroughtagiftusefulonlyforskiingonsnow—skiwax!

Thepolicearrestedhim.Havinggivenhimselfaway,he toldwhereMr.Warewasbeingheldprisoner.

Mr.Warewasfreedunharmed.

SolutiontoTheCaseofSmellyNellieBugsMeanywasweakfromthesmellofambergris.Sohewasn’tthinkingtoo

clearlywhenEncyclopediaquestionedhim.

AndheknewnothingaboutambergrisexceptwhatSmellyNelliehadtoldhim—thatitwasworthfivedollarsanounce.

BugssaidhisTigershad found theambergrison theoceanbottomwhileskindiving.Thentheyhadrolledthelumpneartheshoreandwaitedforthetidetogoout.

Thatwastheliethatgavehimaway!

Ambergrisdoesn’tsinktothebottomoftheocean.

AsEncyclopediaknew,itisfoundfloatingonthewater.

BugsreturnedtheambergristoSmellyNellie.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheFlyingSubmarineBugswantedtogetevenwiththeboydetective,whoalwaysoutsmartedhim.

Sohe said thatEncyclopedia andSally tried to open the submarine and stealparts.

Jessbackeduphisleader—toowell.

JessclaimedthatSallyhad“trippedBugs,”andthatBugs“wentdown.”Thatis,Bugsfellonthegroundwhichatwo-dayrainhadmademuddy.

ThusBugs’spantsshouldhavebeenmuddy.Insteadtheywereclean.Theonlymudwasonespeck,whichheflickedoff.

Encyclopediatoldhisfatherto“lookatBugs’spants.”

WhenChiefBrownsawthecleanpants,heknewtheTigerswerelying.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheBoyBoxersWhenElmerwenttothewaterfountain,heletinJimHill.Jimstolethemoney

fromtheoffice.

Jimmighthavegotcleanaway,butheknockedoverthelamp.SoElmerhadtothrowsuspicionoffhimself.

HethereforetoldPeteandOscarthathewasgoingtotelephoneEncyclopediaforhelp.Whenhereachedthetelephoneintheoffice,helosthishead.Hecouldnotdial.

Hewaswearingboxinggloves!

HegotJimHill,whohadhidden in thecloset, todialEncyclopedia’snumberforhim.ElmerhopedEncyclopediawouldoverlookthemistake.

ButEncyclopediawasnotfooled.

Elmer got themoney back from Jim and returned it before theYouthCenteropenedonMonday.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheModelUniverseWilford had bought a half-inchmodel of the earth. Then he had dreamed up

ProfessorWolfgangSchmidtandthemodel-universeexhibit.

Hehadhoped tomakehimself some fastmoneybysellingshares in the fakeideatothechildrenoftheneighborhood.

Unfortunately for Wilford, he knew nothing about the distance between thestars.ButEncyclopediaknew.

Wilford’smodel universewouldn’t fit into theYankee Stadium or theGrandCanyon.

Infact,itwouldn’tfitonearth.

The stars are too far apart. Itwouldn’t help even if themodel universewerebuilt tothescaleofanearthnomorethanhalfaninchacross.Thenearestfixedstarwouldstillhavetobeplacedtwentythousandmilesaway!

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheflowerCanBretcametoStella’shousetofindtheConfederatehalf-dollar.

“Ihiditintheflowercan,”shetoldhim.

Sohelookedintheflowercan.Thatwashisslip.

Only the thiefwho had bumped into her earlier and had seen the coin in theflowercanwouldhaveknownwhatshemeant.

HadBretbeeninnocent,hewouldhavethoughtStellahadsaid:“Ihiditintheflourcan.”

Remember,hewasholdingthecanofflourforher.

Bret confessed. Posing as a door-to-door salesman, he had been stealing forsometime.

Wheneverherangadoorbellandnoonewasathome,he’dtrythedoor,andifitwasopen,he’dsneakintothehouseandstealsomethingvaluable.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheHalf-WhiteHorseEarleCoughlin,therealthief,hadseenSolridingHalf-and-Halfontheseaway

pathandsogottheideaofpinningthejewelryrobberyonhim.

ButEarledescribedonlythesideofHalf-and-Halfwhichhehadseen—thesidewiththeblackspotsandthebell-shapedmark.Andhesaidhecouldread“IdavilleRidingAcademy”onthebackofSol’sshirtashedismounted.

Thus,accordingtoEarle’sownwords,Solhaddismountedonthehorse’srightside.Thehorse’sleftsidewasallwhite,remember?

Ahorseman,however,getsonandoffatthehorse’sleftside—nevertheright.

EarleCoughlinwassenttojailfortherobberyofMr.Fairchild’sjewelry.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheAppleCiderCarlknewtherewerenoberriesfermentinginthetoolhouse.Hehadputthem

inthefeederthatmorning.

Thenhehadswept the floor,andhehadopened thewindow toget ridof thesmelloffermenting.

Still,hewantedtoshowthathewasinnocent.Sohesaid,“Nobody’sbeeninthetoolhouseforsixmonths.”

Towinoverthechildren,hegavethemdoughnutsandacupofappleciderfromthehalf-filledjuginthetoolhouse.Thatwashismistake!

Once opened, the apple ciderwould have fermented and tasted sour after sixmonths.ThatitstilltastedsweetprovedCarlhadbeeninthetoolhousedrinkingitrecently.

Carlpromisednevertogetbirdsdrunkagain.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheTwo-DollarBillJoe thought that Encyclopedia would suspect Clyde, the library aide. Clyde

couldhave read thenote Joe left forSumner, and then taken the two-dollar billfromthegraybookonthetable.

ButEncyclopediaknewdifferently.

He knew Joe had seen Clyde coming around with the library truck whileSumnerwasawayfromthetable.SoJoehadwrittenthenotetoSumner.

ThenJoeputthetwo-dollarbillinhispocketandleftthelibrary.

He hadmade onemistake. He wrote that he hid the two-dollar bill betweenpages157and158—impossible!

You can’t put anything between pages 157 and 158 of a book. They are twosidesofthesamesheetofpaper-back-to-backpages!

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheAxHandleJustin lied when he said that he had backed the car over the ax handle by

accident.

If thatweretrue,boththefrontandbackwheelsononesideofthecarwouldhavepassedoverthehandleandlefttireprints.

Buttherewastheprintofjustonetireonthehandle!

ThatprovedJustinhadmoved thecaronlyenough tobreak thehandle.Afterone wheel had passed over the handle; he had stopped and pulled the brokenpiecesfromunderthecar!

HeknewthatwithAmbroseunabletofiddleathisbest,hismotherwouldwinthechampionship.

However,whenhismotherlearnedthetruth,sheawardedhertitletoAmbrose.