Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime (2 page)

Encyclopedia Brown was sitting in his agency reading the business section of the newspaper. There was an article on the stock market quoting some financial experts. Half of them thought the market would go up. The other half thought it would go down. There was also an item about an Idaville man who had started a company that made triangular-shaped cardboard boxes. Encyclopedia was wondering what kind of company he might start for himself when he heard a voice in front of him.

“Buy low, sell high, and never be afraid to leave some of the profit for someone else.”

These words of wisdom were uttered by Dollar Bill Pesada. He was in the sixth grade. Everyone called him Dollar Bill because he was careful with his money. He always had his eye out for good investments.

Encyclopedia put down the newspaper. “That's sound advice.”

Dollar Bill smiled. “The trick is knowing when the right moment has come.” He took out a quarter and put it down on the empty gasoline can. “I won't waste your time with small talk because time is money.”

“Good to know,” said Encyclopedia.

Bill went on. “I'm here for a reason. I want to hire you to check out a new opportunity I've just heard about. Bugs Meany is selling shares in a diamond mine.”

“Bugs Meany?” Encyclopedia groaned. “Ugh.”

Bugs was the leader of a gang of boys called the Tigers. They were so underhanded that sometimes they had trouble raising their arms over their heads.

“This could be a great opportunity,” said Dollar Bill. “If what he's claiming is true, I could double or triple my investment in no time.”

“If I know Bugs,” said Encyclopedia, “he'll be the only one making money on this.”

“In that case,” said Dollar Bill, “we'd better investigate at once.”

They found Bugs standing in front of the Tigers' clubhouse, an unused toolshed behind Mr. Sweeney's Auto Body Shop. A crowd of kids had gathered around him. Bugs was talking about the diamond mine Dollar Bill had mentioned.

“You know how women wear diamond engagement rings?” said Bugs.

The crowd of kids sounded off to let him know they did.

“Some of the diamonds found in this mine are too big and heavy to put on a finger. You'd barely be able to lift one with two hands.”

“Is that all diamonds are good for?” asked a kid in the front.

Bugs said, “No, no, they're used in machines and other things. Believe me, it won't be hard to find a home for any diamonds dug out of this mine.”

The kid in front still wasn't satisfied. “I'm not so sure. What if your cousin just made the whole thing up?”

Encyclopedia feared Bugs might take a swing at the kid for saying something like that, but Bugs surprised him.

“I don't blame you for doubting,” Bugs said calmly. “After all, nobody wants to be tricked into losing money.”

The kids laughed a bit uneasily.

Bugs grinned. “My cousin knows that, too. He didn't want you to take my word for anything. That's why he sent me some proof.”

Bugs drew a box out of his pocket and opened it.

Everyone moved forward for a closer look.

“Oooh!”

“Wow!”

“Just look at the size of that diamond!”

“That's right,” said Bugs. “It's nearly as big as a golf ball. Look how it glitters in the sun. You don't see diamonds like that every day. It's probably worth thousands. My cousin didn't mind sending it to me because it's one of the smaller ones.”

“If diamonds like that are the small ones, why do they need us?” the first kid asked.

“I'll tell you,” Bugs said grandly. “The way my cousin explained it, the diamonds don't come out of the mine all polished and everything. They're dark and rough. Getting them ready to sell costs money. The miners aren't a big group. They don't want to sell out to some huge company. That's why they're looking for small investors to chip in.”

“Makes sense to me,” said Spike, a Tiger, who was watching from the side. “It's one of those rags-to-riches success stories. Luckily, it sounds like there's still time for us to get in on the big money.”

Dollar Bill pushed forward for a closer look. “Can I hold the diamond?” he asked.

Bugs snapped the box shut. “I'm surprised at you, Dollar Bill. You're known as someone who recognizes the value of a good investment. I just told you this diamond is probably worth thousands. If I let you hold it, you'd promise to be careful. But then everyone else is going to want to hold it, too. What if one of you slipped and dropped it or just scratched it while passing it around? The diamond could be ruined.”

“Sorry, Bugs,” Dollar Bill apologized. “I don't know what I was thinking.” He turned to Encyclopedia. “It seems like Bugs has thought of everything. This is the time to act fast.”

“You mean run as fast as you can,” Encyclopedia said. “That diamond is a fake.”

 

HOW DOES ENCYCLOPEDIA KNOW?

 

 

 

(Turn to page 78 for the solution to “The Case of the Glittering Diamonds.”)

The Case of the Tempting Toys

Encyclopedia always looked forward to the annual Idaville Fair. The town made a point of dressing up for the event. Doors were freshly painted, and red, white, and blue bunting hung from every window on Main Street. But none of those things, nice as they were, explained why Encyclopedia looked forward to the fair itself.

There was no mystery involved. The explanation for Encyclopedia's enthusiasm could be summed up in one word—pie. The fair was famous for homemade pies of every variety—apple, peach, cherry, lemon meringue—Encyclopedia liked them all. His stomach had convinced him that Idaville had more fine pie makers per square mile than anywhere else in the state.

As Encyclopedia walked home after getting a haircut, preparations for the fair were in full swing. There was a lot of hustle and bustle. The fair put everyone in a good mood. One high school girl seemed to be an exception. She was setting up one of the concession stands. As Encyclopedia passed by, she kicked a table leg.

“Ouch!” she muttered.

“Are you all right?” Encyclopedia asked.

“Yes, yes,” she said. “Or I would be if I didn't go around kicking table legs.”

“Then maybe you should stop,” said Encyclopedia.

“Good idea. I'm just feeling upset.” She took another look at him. “Hey, you're Encyclopedia Brown, the boy detective.”

Encyclopedia admitted it.

“My little sister, Carrie, talks about you a lot. I'm Mindy Harmon.” They shook hands. “You've arrived in the nick of time.”

“I have?”

“If you're as smart as Carrie says you are, I've got a case for you,” Mindy said. “You charge a quarter, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she fished a quarter out of her pocket and handed it to him. “That makes it official.”

“Tell me what happened,” said Encyclopedia.

Mindy's dog, who was sitting nearby, barked twice.

“Quiet, Cooper!” said Mindy. She turned back to Encyclopedia. “Don't mind him. He always barks at strangers. It doesn't seem to scare them much.”

“Something was stolen?” asked Encyclopedia.

Mindy nodded. “A large box of stuffed animals is missing from my supplies. They were meant to be prizes for some of the games. It's too late now to get new ones.”

Encyclopedia was a little relieved that no pies were involved. “When did you notice the animals were gone?”

“I had been carrying stuff from my car. I was depending on Cooper to keep an eye on things.”

She looked down at her dog. “Didn't do a very good job, did you?”

Cooper just wagged his tail.

“The toys didn't wander off by themselves,” said Encyclopedia. “How long ago did this happen?”

“I'd say about an hour ago.”

“Did you see anyone come by?” asked Encyclopedia.

“No. I would remember because I could have used some help setting up.”

“Did you see anything suspicious at all?” Encyclopedia asked. “Maybe just someone hanging around.”

Mindy snorted. “I wouldn't call it suspicious exactly, but I did notice Biff Bumpkin watching me work from a distance.”

“You know Biff?” Encyclopedia asked.

“We've never met,” Mindy said, “but I've seen him around school. He doesn't have the best reputation.”

“Did he watch you for a while?” Encyclopedia asked.

“He seemed to. Then I went to my car again for another box—and when I got back the stuffed animals were gone.”

“What about Biff?”

Mindy stopped to think. “He was gone, too, and he hasn't come back.”

“Biff lives around the corner,” said Encyclopedia. “Let's go see if he's home.”

“All right,” Mindy said. “I'm not relying on Cooper this time. I'll get one of the other volunteers to keep an eye on my booth.”

Encyclopedia, Mindy, and Cooper found Biff sitting on his porch. He smiled unconvincingly at the sight of them.

“Hey,” said Biff, “it's the Answer Man. Or maybe I should say Answer Boy. Give me a minute and maybe I can think up a real stumper for you.”

“While you're thinking, you can answer a couple of our questions,” Encyclopedia said. “Mindy here is missing some toys that belonged to the fair. She saw you nearby and wondered if you saw anything.”

“What kind of toys?” Biff asked.

“Stuffed animals,” said Mindy. “They're supposed to be prizes.”

Biff laughed. “Do I look like someone who collects stuffed animals? Wait, Answer Boy, don't answer that yourself. I'll do it for you. No, I do not.”

“So you don't know anything about it?” said Encyclopedia.

“Nope. You're barking up the wrong tree. I like the real thing. Come here, boy,” Biff said, motioning to Cooper.

Cooper came forward and Biff patted him on the head. “Any other questions?”

“You know,” said Encyclopedia, “Cooper was there the whole time. He saw exactly what happened.”

Biff shook his head. “Too bad dogs can't talk,” Biff said. “If they could, I'll bet you'd get right to the bottom of your little mystery. The way things stand, you're out of luck.”

“Maybe not,” said Encyclopedia. “Luck has nothing to do with it.”

 

WHY DOES ENCYCLOPEDIA SAY THIS?

 

 

 

(Turn to page 79 for the solution to “The Case of the Tempting Toys.”)

The Case of the Missing Songs