TableofContents

TitlePage

CopyrightPage

Dedication

TheCaseoftheHollowTree

TheCaseoftheHeadlessGhost

TheCaseoftheStolenMoonstone

TheCaseoftheDisappearingHundreds

TheCaseofthePatrioticVolunteer

TheCaseoftheStolenWatch

TheCaseoftheGymBag

TheCaseoftheSupercomputerBrain

TheCaseoftheGigglingGoldilocks

TheCaseofShoelessSam

SOLUTIONS

ENCYCLOPEDIABROWN,BOYDETECTIVEENCYCLOPEDIABROWNANDTHECASEOFTHESECRETPITCHENCYCLOPEDIABROWNFINDSTHECLUESENCYCLOPEDIABROWNGETSHISMANENCYCLOPEDIABROWNSOLVESTHEMALLENCYCLOPEDIABROWNKEEPSTHEPEACEENCYCLOPEDIABROWNSAVESTHEDAYENCYCLOPEDIABROWNTRACKSTHEMDOWNENCYCLOPEDIABROWNTAKESTHECASEENCYCLOPEDIABROWNLENDSAHANDENCYCLOPEDIABROWNANDTHECASEOFTHEDEADEAGLESENCYCLOPEDIABROWNANDTHECASEOFTHEMIDNIGHTVISITORENCYCLOPEDIABROWNCRACKSTHECASE

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ForDennisWepmanandWarrenWightmanBeforeTimeRunsOut

TheCaseoftheHollowTree

IneverycityandtownacrosstheUnitedStates,crimewasaseriousproblem.ExceptinIdaville.Formorethanayearnoone,grown-uporchild,hadgottenawaywithbreakingthelawthere.

Apartfromwinningitswaroncrime,Idavillewaslikemostotherseasidetowns.Ithadbeautiful white beaches and lovely parks, churches and a synagogue, and banks anddelicatessens.Onrainysummerafternoons,themovietheatersplayeddoublefeatures.

Police chiefs fromMaine to California scratched their heads in wonder at Idaville’ssuccessincatchingcriminals.TheydecidedthatIdaville’spolicechief,ChiefBrown,wasagenius.

Chief Brownwas indeed both smart and brave. However the real genius behind thetown’s perfect arrest record was his ten-year-old son, Encyclopedia. Whenever ChiefBrownhadacrimehecouldnotsolve,heknewwhattodo.Hecleanedoffhisdesk,putonhishat,andwenthometodinner.Encyclopediasolvedthecrimeatthetable.Usually,heneededtoaskjustonequestion.

ChiefBrownwanted to seeEncyclopedia’spicturehanging in theNationalDetectiveHallofFame.However,hecouldn’t tellasoul.Whowouldbelievethat themastermindbehindthecrimecleanupwashisonlychild,Encyclopedia?Sohesaidnothing.

Encyclopedia never told anyone about the help he gave his father.Hedidn’twant toseemdifferentfromotherfifthgraders.

Therewasnothinghecoulddoabouthisnickname.Onlyhisparentsandteacherscalledhimbyhisrealname,Leroy.EveryoneelsecalledhimEncyclopedia.AnencyclopediaisabookorsetofbooksfilledwithfactsfromAtoZ.SowasEncyclopedia’shead.Heneverforgotanythingheread.Hisfriendsjokedthathewasbetterthanacomputerforlookingupanswerstotheirquestions.Henevercrashed!

Monday evening Chief Brown came home from work in a happy mood. He

complimentedMrs. Brown on themushroom soup, and asked for seconds of the roastbeef.

“Didanythingexcitinghappenatworktoday?”Mrs.Brownasked.

“Indeeditdid,”saidChiefBrown.“Wecaughtoneofthetwobankrobberswhohavebeen hitting banks all over the state. He was running from the Idaville National Bankwhenhetrippedandfell.Hispartnertookoffinthegetawaycarwithouthim.”

Encyclopedialookedupfromhismashedpotatoes.Crimealwaysgrabbedhisattention.

“I readabout thosemen in thismorning’snewspaper,”Mrs.Brownsaid.“Theyworemasksandusedadifferentstolengetawaycarforeveryrobbery.”

ChiefBrownnodded.“That’sthem,”hesaid.

“Istheotherrobberstillontheloose?”Mrs.Brownasked.

“Yes,butwe’llcatchhimsoonenough,”ChiefBrowntoldher.

Encyclopedia was surprised by his father’s cheerfulness. “Did the man you arrestedgiveyoutheotherbankrobber’sname?”Encyclopediaasked.

“No,he’stoofrightenedofhispartner.Hedidtelluswherethemoneyishidden,”ChiefBrown said. “It’s hidden in the state park, in a hollowed-out sycamore tree. OfficerMcDonaldisstakingoutthespot.I’mgoingtojoinhimafterdinner.”

“Can I go with you, Dad?” Encyclopedia asked. Catching criminals was one of hisfavoritethingstodo.

“Sure,youcan.”

Encyclopedialetoutawhoop.Justbeingtogetherwithhisfatherwasahugethrill.

“Areyousuretherewon’tbeanydanger?”Mrs.Brownasked.

“Therobbersusedtoygunstocommittheircrimes,”ChiefBrownassuredher.“Leroywillbeperfectly safe.As soonas theman finds the treeand retrieves themoney,we’llarresthim.”

Afterdinner,ChiefBrownandEncyclopediadrove to the stateparkoutsideof town.Encyclopediahadgonecampingandfishingtherewithhisfriendsmanytimes.

OfficerMcDonald jumped to his feet as they drew near.A flashlightwobbled in hisshakinghand.“Arrest!You’reunder…Stop!”heyelled.

“It’s onlyme, officer,”ChiefBrown said calmly. “He just graduated from thePoliceAcademy,”hewhisperedtoEncyclopedia.“Thisishisfirststakeout.”

“Sorry,Chief.”Theembarrassedofficercrouchedbehindagiantrock.

Chief Brown and Encyclopedia settled behind a bush. It was so dark, Encyclopediawonderedhowtherobberwouldeverfindtherighttree.

Theofficertrainedhiseyesontheforest.“Stop,you’reunderarrest,”hewhisperedtohimself.“Stop,you’reunderarrest.”

It was a cloudy night. No stars were visible. The moon played hide-and-seek.Encyclopedia and the twomenwaitedquietly, straining their eyes against thedarkness.OfficerMcDonaldjumpedateverysound.Anowl’shootmadehimgasp.Arabbit’shopsenthimleaping.

Finally, theyheardafaint tapping.Itgrewcloserandcloser towheretheofficersandEncyclopediawerestakedout.Thetappingcontinuedfromtreetotree.

Amanwithawalkingstickstoppedinfrontofone tree.Hecountedtohimselfashetappedthestickagainstthetreetrunk.

Encyclopedia saw Officer McDonald stiffen. Before Encyclopedia or Chief Browncouldstophim,theofficerjumpedtohisfeetandshouted,“Stop.You’reunderarrest!”

Hehadgotten thewords right,but theofficerdroppedhis flashlightnervously.ChiefBrownsteppedforwardandpickedupthelight.

Thesuspectraisedhisarms.Hiswalkingstickdroppedfromhishands.“Underarrest?”he said,blinking in theharshglowof the flashlight. “For takingawalk in these lovelywoods?”

“You’re thebank robber.Youweregetting ready toget themoney thatyouandyourpartner hid in the tree,” OfficerMcDonald said. “He told us all about it! It’s inside ahollowedouttree.”

“Tree?HowonearthwouldIfindtherighttreeinthepitch-black?”themanasked.“Idon’thaveamap.Idon’thaveaflashlight.Iwassimplytakingawalkonacloudynight.Youcan’tprovethatI’vedoneanythingwrong.”

OfficerMcDonaldsearchedthemananddidn’tfindamaporaflashlight.Itwasonlythen he realized hismistake.He should havewaited for theman to uncover the stolenmoneybeforehetriedtomakeanarrest.

“Stop.You’reunderarrest!”

“I’veruinedeverything,haven’tI?”hesaidquietlytoChiefBrown.“Wehavenoproofhe’sthebankrobber.”

Chief Brown looked from the thief to Officer McDonald and back again. Idaville’sperfectarrestrecordwasindanger.

“Withoutamap,wehavenoevidencethatthemanwaslookingforthemoneyhiddeninthehollowtree,”theChiefsaidquietly.“Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingwecandounlesswegethispartnertoidentifyhim.Bythenthismanwillhaveleftthestate.”

“He may not have had a map, but he definitely knew how to find the right tree,”Encyclopediasaid.

HOWWASENCYCLOPEDIAABLETOPROVETHATTHEMANWASTHE

BANKROBBER?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseofthe

HollowTree.”)

TheCaseoftheHeadlessGhost

In the winter Encyclopedia did his detective work in the dining room. That andschoolwork kept him busy. When school let out for the summer, he set up his owndetectiveagencyinthegarage.Hesharedhisofficewithhisfather’scar.AssoonasChiefBrownleftforworkinthemornings,Encyclopediaopenedforbusiness.

Everysummermorninghehunghissignoutsidethegarage:

Hesatatabatteredolddesknexttoaredgasolinecanandwaitedforcustomers.

Onemorning,hewatchedthechildrenoftheneighborhoodrunpasthisdriveway.Notoneof themstopped.FinallyDavyJonessloweddownlongenoughto letEncyclopediaknowwhatwashappening.

Idaville, being a seaside town, had its share of pirate history.Davy Joneswas crazyaboutpirates.Todayheworeablackeyepatchandaredbandannatiedaroundhishead.Hewavedasmallpirateflag.

“Ahoy,matey,”heyelled.“Yebestsetsail,orit’saghostlytreasureyou’llbemissin’outon.”

“Shivermetimbers!”Encyclopediasaid,playingalong.“Who’stheghostandwhere’sthetreasure?”

“It’sOldCutthroatFlint.He’shauntingIdaville,”Davyexplained.

Encyclopedia had heard ofOldCutthroat Flint—everyone in Idaville had.The piratehidoutintheareabackinthe1800swhenhisship,TheScurvySerpent,neededrepairs.LegendhaditthatOldCutthroatburiedhispirate’sbootybeforesettingsail.

OldCutthroatwasfamouslymean,evenforapirate.Hisbuccaneersstagedamutiny,andOldCutthroatlosthishead.HisbodywassaidtobesailingtheSevenSeas,searchingforhishead.Histreasurehadneverbeenfound.

“BugsMeanyissellingpeeksattheghostfortencents,”Davysaid.“Foraquarteryoucan talk to the ghost.That’swhy I’mdressed like this. I’mgoing to askhimwhere heburiedhisgolddoubloons.IfhethinksI’mapirate,hemighttell!”

“BugsMeany?”Encyclopediaasked.

Davynodded.“OldCutthroat ishauntingtheTigers’clubhouse.Bugssaidheshowedupjustlastnight.”

Encyclopediaimmediatelyknewsomethingwaswrong.Bugswastheleaderofagangof tough older boys. They called themselves the Tigers. They should have calledthemselves the Pirates. They “sailed the seas” of Idaville, always ready to steal thetreasureofthesmallkids.EncyclopediawouldhavelikedtomakealltheTigerswalktheplank.

“Arrrrrgh,”Davy continued, “Bugs knows it’sOldCutthroat because it’s a headlessghost.”

“Howwill the ghost tell youwhere to find the treasure if it doesn’t have amouth?”Encyclopediaasked.

Davyloweredhispirateflag,theJollyRoger.“Youdon’tbelieveBugs?”

“I’dsoonerbelievecatsbark,”Encyclopediatoldhim.

“Idon’twanttomissoutonseeingarealpirateghost,ifthereisone,”Davysaid.HeplunkedaquarteronthegascanbesideEncyclopedia.“I’mhiringyou.Comewithmeandprove theghost is a fake.”Hepulled a candybar fromhis pocket. “Thiswill helpyouthinkbetter.”

“I’msureofit,”theboydetectivesaid.HeacceptedthecandybeforeDavychangedhismind.

Together, the boys set off for the Tigers’ clubhouse, an unused toolshed behindMr.Sweeney’sAutoBodyShop.Strangesoundsstartedtocometowardthemwhentheywereaboutablockaway.Thecloser theygot, themoreeerie thesoundsbecame.Therewerescreechesandmoans,andoneveryloud“Aaarrrggghh!”

Suddenly, Melissa Chambers raced past, holding her ears. “A ghost! A ghost!” shescreamed.

A line of kids had nervously formed outside the Tigers’ clubhouse. Bugs and DukeKelly,aTiger,stoodinfrontofthecloseddoor.Ablackcurtainhungoverthewindow.Askids deposited their dimes in Bugs’s hand, DukeKelly pulled back the curtain and letthempeekinside.Anorangecratewasnearbyfortheshorterkids.

EncyclopediaandDavytooktheirplacesattheendoftheline.

“Stepupandpayyourdime tosee theheadlessghost,”Bugssaid.“Remember, it’sa

dimetopeekinthewindowandaquartertoenterthepirate’scabin.Askhimwherehehidhispirate’sbooty—ifyoudare.”

Encyclopedia’sfriendFangsLiverrightwasatthefrontoftheline.HehandedadimetoBugsandsteppeduptothewindow.

“Remember, he doesn’t have a head,”Bugs said. “He’swearing one of our Tiger T-shirts,soyou’llbeabletoseehisinvisibleghost’sbody.”

FangsnoddedandDukeKellypulledbackthecurtain.

Atthatmomenttherewasaloud,angryhowlfrominsidetheshed.Fangsshookasifhe’djustbeendippedinelectricity.

ThekidsonlinebehindhimwantedtoknowwhatFangssaw.

“It’saheadlessghostallright,”Fangssaid,“andboyishemad!Iwouldn’tgoinsideifIwereyou.”

Davyswallowed.“MaybegoingintoseeOldCutthroatisn’tsuchagoodidea.IthinkI’lljustpeekinthewindow.HemightthinkI’moneofthepiratesthatcutoffhishead.”

“Yo-ho-ho!Youdon’thavetogoinside,”Bugsremindedeveryone.“Forjustonethindimeyoucanpeekinthewindow.”HescannedthelineandspottedEncyclopedia.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“I’mheretoputastoptoyourpiracy,”Encyclopediatoldhim.“Idon’tthinkthere’saghostatall.”

“Oh,yeah?Areyoubrave enough togo inside and face thisghostyoudon’t believein?”Bugsaskedwithasneer.“Orareyoutoochicken-hearted?”

Therewasalowgrowlfrominsidetheshed,followedbyaloudroar.“Fetchmycat-o’-nine-tails.I’veacoupleoflandlubberstobeteachin’alesson.”

“I-it’stheghost,”Davystammered.

He slipped his quarter into Encyclopedia’s hand. “You go ahead. I don’t need anypirate’sbooty,”hesaid.Histeethwerechattering.

Suddenly,Encyclopedia didn’t think facing theheadless ghostwas such a good idea,either.

Bugssmirkedathim,andDukeKellyletoutaloudsnicker.Encyclopediahandedoverthequarter.

“Remember,we’renotresponsibleforwhathappensinthere.Itwasyourideatofacetheghost,”BugssaidtoEncyclopedia.

“IthinkI’llmakeadaringescape,”Davysaid.

BugsturnedtoDuke.“Onthecountofthree.”

“One. Two. Three!” they said together. Duke opened the door, and Bugs pushedEncyclopediainside.Thedoorclosedbehindhimwithaslam.

Encyclopediafoundhimselfface-to-chestwithawhiteTigersT-shirtinthedarkshed.Whateverworeitdefinitelydidnothaveahead.

“Landlubber!”theT-shirtscreamed.“Scalawag!Isitmetreasureyebeafter?”

Encyclopediaclearedhisthroat.“Isthereatreasure?”heasked.

“Notforasproglikeyou!”theT-shirtsaid.

Encyclopedia’seyesdartedaroundtheshed.AflysettledonEncyclopedia’sforehead.Hechaseditawaywithaclenchedhand.

“What’sthatyebehidinginyourhand?”OldCutthroatdemanded.“Atrick?”

“No.It’sacandybar,”Encyclopediatoldhim.

“I’ll have that!” the headless creature yelled, grabbing the candy bar. “Be gonewithyou.”

Theghostdroppedbehindapileoforangecrates, thedooropened,andEncyclopediafelthimselfbeingpulledoutside.

“I told you it was a real ghost,” Bugs said triumphantly. “And you can’t proveotherwise.”

Encyclopediaheldouthishand,palmup.“Givemebackmyquarter,Bugs.Andgiveeveryonebacktheirdimes.That’snoghost.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheHeadlessGhost.”)

TheCaseoftheStolenMoonstone

BugsMeanyhadoneoverwhelmingwish.ItwastogetbackatEncyclopedia.Helongedtopunchtheboydetectivesohardonthejawhe’dhavetolaughthroughhisnose.

Evenso,asmuchasBugshatedbeingoutsmartedoverandoveragain,heneverraiseda fist. Every time he felt like it, his own teeth started to hurt. That’s because herememberedEncyclopedia’sjuniorpartner,SallyKimball.

Sallywasatriplethreat.Shewasthebestathleteandtheprettiestgirlinthefifthgrade.Shewasalsooneofthenicest.Shehatedbulliesandalwaysstoodupfortheunderdog.

Thefirst timeSallysawBugs,hewasbullyingaCubScout.Shejumpedoffherbikeandshouted,“Stopit!”

“Scram,kiddie,orI’llputyoufacedownonyourback,”Bugsgrowled.

Sallydidnotwastetimetalking.Shesteppedinandboxedhisearswithleftsandrights,rap-tap-tap.Thenherrightwentintohisbelly,whammo!

Bugsstaggeredaroundlikeaboyhuntingastomachpump.

BecauseofSally,BugsneverbulliedEncyclopedia.However,Bugsdidn’tstoptryingtogetrevenge.Heonlygaveuptheideaofusingforce.

“Bugswon’tstopuntilhegetsbackatyou,”Sallywarnedonemorningwhiletheywereopeningthedetectiveagency.“He’strouble.”

“Bugshatesyouasmuchashehatesme,”Encyclopediasaid.“He’llgetevenanywayhecan.”

“Lethimtry.”

“BugswaswatchingmewhenIleftRicoAyres’shouselastnight,”Encyclopediasaid.

“Thenewboy?HelivesrightnextdoortoBugs,right?”Sallysaid.

Encyclopedianodded.Ricohadmoved to Idaville fromGlennCity just a fewweeksbefore.“Heinvitedmeovertoseehisinsectcollection.”Encyclopediasaid.“Thewholetime I was at his house he kept looking out the window at Bugs’s house. He seemed

scared.

“IaskedhimaboutBugs.Hetoldmehehadn’tmethisneighborsyet,”Encyclopediacontinued.

“Didyouseehisinsectcollection?”Sallyasked.

“Hewasmore interested in showingme his grandmother’smoonstone ring than hisscorpions.Hekeptlookingovermyshoulderandoutthewindow.Ileftbeforehebroughtouthiscentipedecollection.”

Just thenapolicecarpulled intoEncyclopedia’sdriveway.OfficerLopezwasbehindthewheel.BugsMeanyandRicoAyressatinthebackseat.Theyallgotoutofthecar.

“Thereheis,officer!”Bugssaid.“He’stheoneIsawleavingRico’shouselastnight.”

“Isthatright,Encyclopedia?WereyouatRico’shouselastnight?”OfficerLopezasked.

“Iwas.AndBugswatchedme leave,”Encyclopedia saidcalmly. “Iwentover to seeRico’sinsectcollection.Right,Rico?”

Ricoshuffledhisfootonthedriveway.“Iwasn’thomelastnight,”hemumbled.“IwasinGlennCitywithmyfamily.”

OfficerLopezhadopenedhermouthtoaskanotherquestionwhenBugsbrokein.

“Isawalight,likeaflashlight,bouncingfromroomtoroominRico’shouselastnight,”Bugssaid.“RicohadtoldmeearlierthathewasgoingtoGlennCitywithhisfamily,soIthought the light was suspicious. I watched the house. I saw someone climb out of awindowontothebackporch,asboldasyouplease.Igotagoodlookathisface,too.ItwasEncyclopediaBrown!”

“Thereheis,officer!He’stheoneIsawleavingRico’shouselastnight.”

“Of course hewas as bold as you please,” Sally said. “Encyclopedia has nothing tohide.”

“AndIleftbythedoor,notthewindow,”Encyclopediaadded.

“There’sanexpensiveringmissingfromtheAyres’shouse,”OfficerLopeztoldthem.“Someonestoleitwhilethefamilywasoutlastnight.”

“Ricowashome!Encyclopediasaidso,”Sallyinsisted.

Rico’seyesdartednervouslyfromSally’sclenchedfisttoBugs’snarrowedeyes.“IwasinGlennCity,”hesaidagain.

“IfEncyclopediawas seen leaving the housewhen the familywas away fromhome,I’mafraidthatmakeshimasuspect,”OfficerLopeztoldSally.

“Morethanasuspect,”Bugssaid.“He’sathief.Robbingonehousewasn’tenoughforhim.Hecameovertomineandputhishandsrightupagainstthewindowtopeerinside.”Bugsheldhishandsupandputhisfacebetweenthemtodemonstrate.“Hehadaringonhisfinger,andIsawthestone.Itwasroundandwhite,likethemoon.

“Iwas too frightened to showmyself,”Bugs continued. “He’s a dangerous characterandIwashomealone.SoI turnedonacoupleof lightsandmadelotsofnoisetoscarehimaway.Heranoffdownthestreet.”

“Onemorelielikethatandyouwon’tbeabletorunfasterthanaduck,BugsMeany!”Sallysaid.

“The idol ofAmerica’s youth doesn’t lie, and I’m the idol,”Bugs bellowed. “You’dbetterquestionher, too,”Bugs toldOfficerLopez,pointingatSally.“She’shiscriminalsidekick.He’sthebrainandshe’sthebrawn.Everyoneistoofrightenedofthemtocomeforward,butI’llbethetown’sheroifIhavetobe.”

“Dosomething,Encyclopedia!”Sallysaid.

OfficerLopeztriedtocalmthesituation.“Encyclopedia,I thinkwe’dbettergotothestationanddiscuss thiswithyour father.Youadmit tobeingat thehouse,anexpensivepieceofjewelryismissing,andwehaveawitness”—sheglancedatBugs—“whoclaimstohaveseenyouwearingthering.”

“Wecangoseemyfather ifyou’dlike,”Encyclopediasaid,“butBugs is lyingaboutthering.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheStolenMoonstone.”)

TheCaseoftheDisappearingHundreds

Encyclopedia and Sally decided to celebrate solving their latest case with a specialafternoontreat.ThatmeantMr.O’Hara’sdrugstoreandold-fashionedsodafountain.Hemadethebiggestandbestchocolateice-creamsodasinIdaville.

TheytookthenumberfivebusdowntownandgotoffinfrontoftheFirstNationalBankonBeachStreet.TheymetMr.O’Haracomingoutofhisdrugstore.Hewaswringinghishands.

“Leroy,Iwasjustonmywaytoseeyourfather,”Mr.O’Harasaid.“He’sinGlennCitythisafternoon,”Encyclopediatoldhim.“Theyaskedhimtohelponacasethere.”

“Iguessmyproblemcanwaituntilhereturns,”Mr.O’Harasaidwithaheavysigh.

“Issomethingwrong?”Sallysaid.

“Oneofmyemployeesisathief,”Mr.O’Harasaidunhappily.“Ican’tbelieveoneofthemwould steal fromme. It’s notmerchandise that’smissing. It’smoney. Three one-hundred-dollarbills.”

Sallygasped.“Thatsurewouldbuyalotoficecream.”

“I’lltellmyfathertocallyouwhenhegetshome,”Encyclopediapromised.Hewantedtotryandsolvethecrimehimselfbutdidn’twanttoboast.“Canyoutellusthedetails?”

“I’vehadaverygoodmonth,”Mr.O’Haratoldtheyoungdetectives.“Thishotweatheris great for the soda fountain trade, and the drugstore side of my business has beenbooming,too.”

“Anice-creamsodaonahotdaysuredoeshitthespot,”Sallyagreed.

Mr.O’Haranodded.“Ihiredanewemployee,WendySchraft,afewweeksagotohelpkeep up with the demand. Wendy changed some of our displays. Her new toothpastedisplaysentsalessoaring.They’reupfiftypercent.”

“Wow,that’salotofcleanteeth,”Sallysaid.

“Wendyworksmostlyinthedrugstore.Sheonlyfillsinatthesodafountainwhenwe’rebusy,” Mr. O’Hara explained. “My other two employees, George Meade and BobSherman,havebeenwithmeforyears.BobmansthefountainandGeorgemostlytakesorders,buteveryonepitchesinwhenwe’rebusyanddoeswhateverneedstobedone.”

Encyclopedia hadbeen at the busy soda fountainmany times.HeknewbothGeorgeandBob.

“Iwantedtothankthemallfortheirhardwork,”saidMr.O’Hara.“WhenIwenttothebankthismorningtogetchangeforthecashregister,Ialsogotthreecrispone-hundred-dollarbillstogivetothemasabonus.Iwasgoingtosurprisethemthisafternoon.”

“Isthatthemoneythatdisappeared?”Sallyasked.

Mr.O’Haranodded.“WhenIgotbacktothestore,thelunchrushhadstarted.Iputthechange in the cash register and placed the three bills in a big envelope on the shelfunderneaththecounter.WhenIlookedforitafterlunch,ithaddisappeared.”

“Didyouaskyouremployeesaboutit?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Yes, I told them there was moneymissing. They all said they hadn’t seen it,”Mr.O’Harasaid,“buttheyweretheonlyonesbehindthecounter.Ilookedeverywhere.Theenvelopedidn’twalkofftheshelf.It’sgone!”

Mr.O’Haraopenedthedoorandusheredthetwodetectivesinsidethestore.

It was mid-afternoon and there were few customers. George was filling the napkinholders.EncyclopediacouldseeBobwashingdishesinthebackroom.Wendywasontheothersideofthestore,creatinganewshampoodisplay.

Mr.O’Haratriedtobehopeful.“Encyclopediawillspeaktohisfathertonightaboutthetheft,”hesaidtoGeorge.“Thethiefwillbecaughtinnotime.”

EncyclopediaandSallytookstoolsatthefountainnearthecashregister.Therewasnoneedtolookatthemenu.Theybothwantedchocolateice-creamsodas.

“Didanycustomersgobehindthecounterduringthelunchrush?”EncyclopediaaskedGeorge.

“Not that I saw,” George answered. “I did leave once to get more hot dog andhamburgerrolls,soIcan’tbeabsolutelypositive.”

He began spooning ice cream into two glasses. “Wendy went back and forth a fewtimes,”hecontinued.“ShefilledinwhenIwasgone,andcamebackagainlaterwhenwewerebusy.Ihatetocallherathief,butBobandIhaveworkedforMr.O’Haraforyears.Wendyhasonlyworkedhereafewweeks.”

“Itwasn’tme,”Wendysaid,comingupbehindthem.“IhelpedoutatthecounterwhenIwas needed. I didn’t see any bank envelope. Itmust have beenGeorge orBob.” Shestampedherfoot.“Someone’stryingtopinthisonmebecauseI’mnew.”

“Itsurewasn’tme,”Georgesaid.“Ididn’ttouchMr.O’Hara’sBenFranklins.Ithadtohave been Bob. Hemoves back and forth between the counter and the kitchen all thetime.”

Hedidn’tseethatBobwasrightbehindhimwithatrayofcleanglasses.

“I’m no thief.” Bob put the tray down and stormed off. Then hemarched back. “If

anyoneherethinksI’mathief,I’llleaverightnow.Icangetanotherjob.”

“Everyone, let’s get back towork,”Mr.O’Hara said anxiously. “We can’t solve thisnow.Leroywilldiscussitwithhisfatherandthenwe’llseewhat’swhat.”

Georgeputthechocolateice-creamsodasinfrontofthetwodetectives.

Encyclopedia closed his eyes. He always closed his eyes when he did his deepestthinking.ThenhequietlyaskedMr.O’Haraonequestion.“Didyoutellanyonewhatwasinthebankenvelope?”

“No,Ididn’t. Ican’taffordtogivethemabonusif themoneyisn’treturned.Ididn’twanttogettheirhopesup.”

Sally took a sip of her soda. “Itmust have beenWendy,” she said to Encyclopedia.“Checktheshampoodisplay.Theenvelopeisprobablyhiddenbehindoneofthebottles.”

Encyclopediashookhishead.

“George andBob haveworked forMr.O’Hara for such a long time. Theywouldn’tstealfromhim,”Sallysaid.

“Oneofthemdid,”Encyclopediasaid.“Itwas…”

WHOWASTHETHIEF?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheDisappearingHundreds.”)

TheCaseofthePatrioticVolunteer

BusinesswasslowWednesdayafternoon,soEncyclopediaandSallywalkedtothepark.TheyheardthatlocalmagicianDonaldMartinezwasgoingtotryouthisnewactandnotcharge.Insteadoffindingamaninamagician’shattheyfoundonewearingawhitetophatwithbluestripesandwhitestars.

Themanstoodinfrontofthegazeboatthecenterofthepark.Asmallgroupofchildrenhad gathered around him. As Encyclopedia drew closer, he noticed that the man wasdressedinabluejacket,awhiteshirt,aredbowtie,andred-and-whitestripedpants.HeheldaUnitedStatesflagandwaveditashetalked.

MaryLukemangreeted thedetectivesexcitedly.“Encyclopedia!Sally!Waituntilyouhearaboutthisnewcharity.It’sawonderfulthingforthechildrenofAmerica.”

She turned to the man. “Start from the beginning again, Mr. Jefferson,” she urged.“EncyclopediaandSallywillwanttohelp.”

“Happy to, young lady,”Mr. Jefferson said, tipping his hat.His gaze swept over thechildren.“I’veleftmyhomeinWashington,D.C.,ournation’scapital,totravelacrossthecountry. The president of the United States has asked me spread the word about awonderfulnewopportunityforthechildrenofAmerica.”

“Thepresidentof theUnitedStates!”Mary shouted,hereyesbrightwithexcitement.“Imaginethat!”

Mr.Jeffersonnodded.“ThepresidentoftheUnitedStates.”

“Gettothepoint,”BugsMeanydemanded.“What’ssowonderful?”

“It’s thechanceof a lifetime,”Mr. Jefferson toldhim.“Ournewcharity,WashingtonWishes,willsearchforthechildrenofAmericawiththebestideasforourcountry.Thenwe’lltakethechildrentoWashington,D.C.”

MaryturnedtoEncyclopedia.“Washington,D.C.!”sheshouted.

“Washington,D.C.”Mr.Jeffersonrepeated.“There, they’llget toshare their thoughtswiththepresident.Yourideaswillmakethisgreatcountryevengreater.”

Thechildrengasped.

“As soon as I heard about this idea, I told the president to sign me up as his firstvolunteer,”Mr.Jeffersonsaid.“IwanttohelpchildrensharetheirhopesanddreamsforthecountrywiththepresidentoftheUnitedStates.I’llbetyouallhavegoodideas.”

“Abolishschool!”BugsMeanyshouted.

TheTigerscheeredhisidea.

“Nomorebaths!”RockyGraham,aTiger,said.

“Aswimmingpoolineverybackyard!”Bugsadded.

TheTigersapplauded,buttherestofthechildrenweremoreserious.

“Bullieswouldbethrowninjail,”MaryLukemansaid,glaringatBugs.

“Betterpayforschoolteachers,”Sallyadded.

Bugsdrownedheroutwithboos,butSallyshoutedhimdown.

“Agreateducationforall!”shesaid.SheraisedherfistandwhisperedsoonlyBugsandEncyclopediacouldhear.“Pow!”

BugsquieteddownprettyquickatthesightofSally’sfist.Mr.Jeffersoncontinuedwithhistalk.

“All thosegreat ideasaregoingtocostmoney,”hesaid.“That’s theotherpartofmyjob. The president asked me to collect money from the children of America. It’s onlyfittingthatthechildrenwillbetheonestopayforthisfantasticnewcharity.”

The man looked around. “Who wants to help the children of American change theworld?”

MaryLukemanraisedherhand.“Ido.”

Theotherchildrenfollowedherlead.

“Let’sgotothetelevisionstation,”Marysuggested.“Theycandoastory,andeveryonewillbeabletodonatemoney.”

Mr. Jefferson shook his head. “No. This news is only for children. Let’s not get thegrown-upsinvolved.”Hetookoffhistophatwithaflourishandheldit infrontofhim.“ThepresidentandIpledgetohelpyouchangetheworld.”

“Doyoureallyknowthepresident?”Sallyasked.

“Icertainlydo,”Mr.Jeffersonsaid.Hequicklypulledaphotographoutofhispocketandhelditupintheairforeveryonetosee.Itwasapictureofhimselfandthepresident,standinginfrontoftheWashingtonMonument.

“I visit him and his family all the time at their home in the Capitol building,”Mr.JeffersontoldSally.“AndIcan’twaittotellhimaboutyouandtheotherchildrenofthisfinetown.Allitwilltakeisagenerousdonationfromeachofyou.”

“ThepresidentandIpledgetohelpyouchangetheworld.”

MaryLukemanwasthefirsttoreachintoherpocket.Shedroppedaquarterintothehat.“Don’t leavetownyet,”sheurgedMr.Jefferson.“Ihavetorunhomeandgetmypiggybank!”

“Saveyourmoney,”Encyclopediatoldher.Heraisedhisvoicesoallthechildrencould

hear.“Mr.JeffersonmightbefromWashington,D.C.,buthe’snevervisitedthepresident.He’slying.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOWTHATMR.JEFFERSONWASLYING?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseofthePatrioticVolunteer.”)

TheCaseoftheStolenWatch

Onesunnymorning,SallydraggedEncyclopediatothehighschooltoseetheIdavilleArtShow. Encyclopedia would have rather gone fishing, or to the beach. Sally, however,nevermissedachancetoseeaPabloPizarropainting.

PabloPizarrowas Idaville’sgreatestboyartist.Hehadwon the IdavilleArtShowsooftenthatthetownwasforcedtodropthechildren’sdivision.Nooneundertwelvedaredenterapaintingagainsthim.Heputhisnewestworkonview,eventhoughhecouldn’twinaprize.

“Winningprizesisn’timportant,”hehadannounced.“ItwouldbeacrimetodeprivethepeopleofanoriginalPizarro.”

“Orbizarro,”Encyclopediahadmutteredunderhisbreath.

Encyclopediadidn’tthinkveryhighlyofPablo’sart.Hedidn’tseeadifferencebetweenPablo’ssculpturesandjunkoftheweek.Pablo’smodernartpaintingswereanothermatter.Theycouldhavebeencalledmagnificent—ifyou’dhandedapaintbrushtoamonkeyandaskedhimtomakeamess.

Pablo’spaintingwasondisplaybyitselfinthelobby.

“It’sonlyfitting,”Sallysaid.“Pabloisinaclassbyhimself.”

Encyclopediaonlynodded.Hedidn’tdaresharehisrealopinionwithSally.ShethoughtPablowasanartistofthehighestorder.

A small crowd had gathered around Pablo and his easel. On it was a painting of apocketwatchwithIdaville’sCityHallandclocktowerinthebackground.Thewatchwasgiant-sized.Itseemedtobemeltingaroundtheedges.

Arealpocketwatchsatonatablenexttotheeasel.

Sallylookedfromonetotheother.Thetwodidn’tlookanythingalike.

“It’samodern,abstractpainting,”Pabloexplained.

“Ah,”Sallynoddedwisely.

PunctualPeteLeonard,thehumansundial,asked,“What’swiththeclocks?”

PunctualPetepridedhimself onbeingpreciselyon time—never late andnever early.“Whowantsworms?”hewasknowntoask.“I’mnoearlybird.”

“IcallitPiecesofTime,”Pablosaiddramatically.“It’smywatch,withIdavilleinthebackground. Hundreds of years from now, when future generations see my painting,they’llhavenodoubtaboutmyartisticrootsinIdaville.”

Sally’shandflutteredtohermouth.SheoftenbecameflutterywhenPablowasaround.“Anothermasterpiece,”shesaidbreathlessly.

Pablobeamedather.Heheldapainter’spaletteandbrushinonehand.Hewipedhisbrowdramaticallywiththeother.“It’smybestworksofar.”

“Icanseethat,”Sallyagreed.

Pabloledthesmallcrowdtowardthegym.“NowImustgoandencouragemyfellowartists.Theprizeswillbegivenoutsoon.”

PunctualPetelaggedbehind.Hedidn’twanttobeearly.

EncyclopediaandSallywatchedthewinnersaccept theirblueribbons.ThedetectiveswereontheirwayoutoftheschoolwhentheyheardPablocallingtheirnames.

“Mypocketwatch,”heexclaimed.“It’sbeenstolen!”

“Ohno,”Sallycried.“Theoneyouusedasamodelinyourmasterpiece?”

“Yes,andIthinkIknowwhotookit,”Pablosaid.“PunctualPeteLeonard.”

“WhyPunctualPete?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Hetriedtobuymypaintingforfiftycents,”Pablosaidangrily.“Itoldhimhewasnoartloverifhethoughtmymasterpiecewasn’tworthatleasttendollars.Hegotmadandthreatenedtostopmyclock.”

Sallyshookherhead.“Thatwatchwillbepricelessoneday,alongwithyourpainting.Encyclopedia,wehavetohelpPablogethiswatchback.”

Pablofishedinhispocketforaquarter.“I’mhiringyoutocatchthatcrook,”hesaid.

Encyclopediaexaminedthepaintingandtheareaarounditforclues.Thenumbersonthepocketwatchinthepaintingwerewarped,buthecouldseethat timehadstoppedat12:05.HesteppedclosertomakeoutthetinyRomannumeralsonthepaintingoftheCityHallclock.Itwasfifteenminutesbehindthetimeofthepaintedwatch.

“Hurry,Encyclopedia,”Sallyurged.“Let’sgotalktoPunctualPete.”

TheyfoundPeteonhisfrontporchreadingabook.

Pablomarchedupthefrontwalkandaccusedhim.“Youstolemywatch,didn’tyou?”

“WhywouldIwantyouroldwatch?”Peteasked.

“Youwere looking atmy paintingwhile the rest of uswent to seewhowon the artshow,”Pablosaid.

“Anybodycouldhavetakenyouroldwatch,”Peteresponded.“Youcan’tproveitwasme.”Hestood.“Nowifyou’llexcuseme,Ican’tbelateforlunch.”Hewentinsideandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Pablokickedaporchstep.“Iknowhehasmywatch.”

Sallyseemeduncertain.SheglancednervouslyatEncyclopedia.

Encyclopediawasuncertain,too.

Pablo shook his head sadly. “Artistswho are ahead of their times are always treatedbadly,”hesaid.

TheypassedCityHallontheirwaybacktothehighschool.

“Atleastthatclockstillstandsasamonumenttoyourmasterpiece,”Sallysaid.

Encyclopedialookedattheclock.Thenhestoppedandclosedhiseyes.

“He’sthinking,”SallywhisperedtoPablo.

“Ihaveaplantocatchwhoevertookyourwatch,”Encyclopediasaid.

“WhatcanIdotohelp?”Sallyasked.

“SpreadthewordthatPablowillholdanartviewingintheparkatfouro’clocktoday.”Encyclopediasaid.“Tellthemnottocomebeforefouro’clock,orhewon’tbeready.”

“Aviewing?”Pabloasked.

Encyclopedianodded.“Thethiefwillgivehimselfaway,”Encyclopediatoldhim.“I’msureofit.”

“IfthereistobeaviewingImustcreateanewmasterpiece!”Pablosaid,runningoff.

EncyclopediaandSallyinvitedeveryonetheysawtotheartviewing.

At3:30,theywenttothepark.Pabloplacedasheetoverhisnewpainting,readyforthegrandunveiling.Hiswhiteartist’ssmockwascoveredinpaint.

“Whatdowedonow,Encyclopedia?”Sallyasked.

“Wejustwait,”hereplied.

“Areyousureyouknowwhatyou’redoing?”sheasked.

“Wejustwait,”Encyclopediasaidagain.

Fifteenminuteslater,PunctualPetearrived.“It’sfouro’clock,hesaid.“Where’sthebigartopening?”

Encyclopediaputouthishand.“First,handoverPablo’swatch,”hesaid.

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAPROVE

THATPUNCTUALPETEWASTHETHIEF?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheStolenWatch.”)

TheCaseoftheGymBag

Saturdaymorning,Encyclopediaandhisfatherwent to thehighschool towatcha trackmeet.Baldy Jones and Fleet Fletcherwere running for Idaville.Baldy shaved his headbecausehethoughtitmadehimrunfaster.Everymorningbeforeabigmeethecouldbefoundinthebarbershopwithaheadfullofshavingcream.

Today’strackmeetwasbetweenIdavilleandGlennCity.However,therealcontestwasbetweenFleet andBaldy.The runnerswere both seniors at IdavilleHighSchool. Theywereonthesameteam,buttheywerefiercecompetitors.Theyraninthesameracesandalmostalwayscameinfirstandsecond.

Saturdaywas no different. Encyclopedia andChiefBrownwere both on the edge oftheirseats.Baldywonthe100-meterdash.Fleetedgedhimoutinthe200.Fleettookthehurdles.Baldy ran a faster 400-meter race. In between events, the two runners sneeredinsultsateachother.

TheGlennCityteamtookthirdplacefinishesineverysinglerace.

EncyclopediawashoarsefromcheeringforFleetandBaldybythetimethemeetwasover.HeandChiefBrownwereweavingthroughthecrowdontheirwaytotheparkinglotwhentheyheardshoutingfrominsidethelockerroom.

Inside,BaldyandFleetwerestanding,nosetonose,snarlingateachother.

“Handitover,”Fleetyelled,“oryou’llwishyounevergotoutofbedthismorning.”

“Iwillnot!It’smine,”Baldyyelled.

“That’smygymbag.Nowgiveitback,”Fleetdemanded.“OrI’ll—”

“You’llwhat?YoutryanythingandI’lltwistyourlegssofararoundyourhead,youcaneatwithyourfeet,”Baldysaidwithasnarl.

“Hah!”Fleetspat.“Firstathiefandnowabully.”

“I amnot a thief,”Baldy said. “Just because I let youwin a couple of races doesn’tmeanI’llletyouhavemygymbag,too.”

A small crowd had gathered around the two boys. Encyclopedia and Chief Brownpushedtheirwaytothefront.

“ChiefBrown,arresthim!”Fleetsaid.“He’sstolenmystampcollection.”

“I’llstampyou!”Baldythreatened,raisingthebagoverhishead.“It’llbeaveryrarestamp—onethatsendsyoustraightintoouterspace.”

“You just try,” Fleet yelled, raising his fists. “You’ll be sending me postcards fromJupiterandMars.”

Chief Brown stepped between them. “Boys, calm down,” he said. “Save yourcompetitionforthetrack.”

FleetandBaldystoppedyelling,buttheycontinuedtoglareateachother.

ChiefBrownwaitedforamoment.“Now,tellmewhathappened—”

FleetandBaldybothstartedtotalkatonce.

“Oneatatime,please,”ChiefBrownsaid,holdinguphishands.“Fleet,yougofirst.”

“Whydoeshegettogofirst?”Baldywhined.

“Becausehe’snotholdingagymbagovermyhead,”ChiefBrownsaidcalmly.

Baldysheepishlyloweredthebagandhandedittothepolicechief.

“Ishoweredandchangedafterthemeet,”Fleetsaid,pushinghisbangsoffhisforehead.“IleftmygymbagonthebenchwhileIsteppedintoCoachLewis’soffice.WhenIcameout,Baldywasleavingthelockerroomwithmygymbag.”

“It’smygymbag,”Baldy insisted.“He’s justsaying it’shisbecauseheknowsIhavemystampcollectionwithmetoday.It’sworthalotofmoney.”

“It’smygymbag!”

ChiefBrownturnedtoFleet.“Canyouprovethisisyourgymbag?”

“Imentioned toacoupleofguys that Iwasheadingover to thestampstoreafter themeettoseeaboutsellingmycollection.There’sacollectorintownjustfortoday,andhe’sinterestedinsomeofmyrarestamps,”Fleetexplained.

“Isthereanyidentificationinthebag?”thechiefasked.

Fleetshookhishead.“It’sanewbag.Ididn’tthinktoaddanIDtag.”

“Iwastheonewhodidn’tthinktoaddanIDtag,”Baldysaid.“Ican’tproveit’smine,either.”

Thechiefopenedthebagandpulledoutthecontents.Helineduptheitemsonthestairsleadingtothelockerroom.Asidefromthestampcollection,protectedinaplasticfolder,thebagheldstandarditems:adamptowel,soap,deodorant,hairgel,andacleanpairofsocks.

Fleetcheckedhiswristwatchandmoaned.“Thestampcollectorisleavingtownatfiveo’clock.It’salreadyfour-thirty.”

“I’llhave tohangon to thegymbagand thestampcollectionuntil Ican identify theowner,”thechiefsaid.“I’msorry,butoneofyouwillhavetomissthestampcollector.”

“GiveFleethisgymbag,Dad,”Encyclopediasaid.“Ifherunslikehedidatthetrackmeet,he’llgettothestampstoreintime.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOWTHEBAGBELONGEDTOFLEET?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheGymBag.”)

TheCaseoftheSupercomputerBrain

Onesunnymorning,EncyclopediacameacrossJacobSampsonwalkingdownthestreet.Jacobseemedtobehavingatwo-sidedconversation.He’daskhimselfaquestion,takeaswigfromabottleofbluejuice,andthenanswerhimself.HewassotakenwithhisownconversationthathebangedrightintoEncyclopedia.

“Who’swinningtheargument?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Iam!”Jacobsaidexcitedly.“I’mgoingtobethesmartestkidinthirdgradenextyear.MaybeI’llevenskipthirdgradeandgorighttocollege.That’sthekindofgeniusIam.”

“How’dyougettobesosmartallofasudden?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Withthis.”JacobshowedEncyclopediathelabelonhisbottle.

“SupercomputerBrainLiquid,”Encyclopedia read. “Youdrink this and itmakesyousmart?”

“Itmakesyourbrainbiggerandbetterandfasterthananycomputeroutthere,”Jacobexplained.“GeorgePerkins invented it.HegavesometoErnieCapra,whodidn’tknowwhatplanethewasfrom.NowErnie’sassmartasanyone.”

George Perkins was a senior at Idaville High School. His grades were so high thatteacher’sspiritssoaredwhenhewasintheirclasses.Notsohisbestfriend,Ernie,whosegradessentthemintothedepthsofdespair.ErniethoughtthealphabetendedattheletterD,hisbestgrade.

“Georgesoldmeabottlefromhissmallsupply,”Jacobexplained.“Askmeanything.”

“What’sthecapitalofFlorida?”Encyclopediaasked.

JacobtookasipofSupercomputerBrainLiquid.“Miami,”hesaidproudly.

“ThecapitalofFloridaisTallahassee,”Encyclopediatoldhim.

Jacobdrainedhisbottle.“Okay,askmeanotherquestion.”

“WhowasthesecondpresidentoftheUnitedStates?”

“ThomasJefferson!”

“No,”Encyclopediasaidgently.“ItwasJohnAdams.”

“IguessIdidn’tdrinkenough,”Jacobsaid.“I’dbettergoandbuysomemoreof this

stuff.I’llbuyeverybottleGeorgecanspare!IhopeErniedidn’tdrinkitallalready.”

“You’dbebetteroffinvestinginsomegoodbooks,”Encyclopediatoldhim.

“YoumeanyouthinkSupercomputerBrainLiquidisfake?”

Encyclopediadidn’twanttocallanyonealiarwithoutproof,sohesaidnothing.

“I can’t believe I letGeorge cheatme,” Jacobgroaned. “Here’s a quarter. Prove thathe’sacheaterbeforeherobsanyoneelse.”

“Let’sgo,”Encyclopediasaid.

ThetwoboyswalkedovertoOakStreet.GeorgeandErniestoodinGeorge’sdriveway.Agroupofyoungerkidshadgatheredaroundthem.

“ErniewilldemonstratehowmySupercomputerBrainLiquidworks,”Georgesaid.“Hedrankjusttwobottlesyesterday,andalreadyhe’stestedatthegeniuslevel.”

Erniesmiledproudly.

“Ernie,whattypesofcloudsarethose?”Georgeasked,pointingtothesky.

“Theylooklikelargecottonballs.Thatmakesthemcumulusclouds.”

“Correct,”Georgesaid.

The childrenmurmured to each other. Erniewouldn’t have been able to answer thatquestionlastweek.

Thequestionsgotharderandfaster,andErnieansweredthemall.

“Whodiscoveredthelawofgravity?”

“SirIsaacNewton.”

“Howmanycontinentsarethere?”

“Seven.”

“Wheredopolarbearslive?”

“TheArcticCircle,”Erniesaid.

“WhatyeardidGeorgeWashingtonbecomepresidentoftheUnitedStates?”

“1789.”

“Whatis11,412dividedby…”

“951.”

“WhatyeardidColumbusdiscoverAmerica?”

“1492.”

“What famousdocumentgranted thepeopleof theUnitedStates life, liberty, and thepursuitofhappiness?”

“TheConstitution!”

Georgelaunchedintoapplause.“Bravo,Ernie!Bravo!”

WhilethechildrenclappedforErnie,Georgegotaboxfromhisgarage.“Ihavejustafewbottlesofthispreciousliquidleft.Thoseofyouwhowanttobeassmartandfastastheworld’sbiggestsupercomputershouldbuythispreciousliquidnow.”

Jacobraisedhishand.

“Oh, and here’s another satisfied customer,”George said, noticing Jacob for the firsttime.“Jacobboughtabottlejustthismorning.”

“Actually, Iuh…”Jacobturned toEncyclopedia.“MaybeI justdidn’tdrinkenough.Erniewasdumbasadoorknobyesterdayandtodayheknowseverything!”

“Jacob,tellme,what’sthesquarerootofonehundred,”Georgequestioned.

“Twenty-five?”Jacobasked.

“Correct!Yousee,boysandgirls,mySupercomputerBrainLiquidworkswonders.Didyouknowthesquarerootofonehundredwhenyouwokeupthismorning,Jacob?”

“No,”Jacobadmitted.

Encyclopedia cleared his throat. “The square root of one hundred is ten, not twenty-five.”

George looked confused for amoment. “Jacob, howmany bottles of SupercomputerBrainLiquiddidyoudrink?”

“One,”Jacobanswered.

“Ah! That’s the problem. Ernie here drank two bottles. You need another—free ofcharge.”Hehandeditover.“Okay,kids,twoforthepriceofone.We’rehavingasale!Getthemwhileyoucan.”

“Saveyourmoney,”Encyclopedia told them.“Ernie isn’tas smartashe thinkshe is,andneitherisGeorge.They’retryingtocheatyou.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheSupercomputerBrain.”)

TheCaseoftheGigglingGoldilocks

SallyandEncyclopediawerepackingupboxesofsomeofEncyclopedia’soldbooks todonatetothelibrary.

Sallyreadthetitles.“AstronomyfromAtoZ,Dinosaurs,andPyramids.Didn’tyoueverreadfairytaleswhenyouwerelittle?”

“Iwasalwaysmoreinterestedinscienceandhistory,”Encyclopediatoldher.

Sallywasabouttotellhimhowmuchfunfictioncouldbewhentheygotacustomer.

PatrickBehrmarchedupEncyclopedia’sdrivewaywithanangryscowl.EncyclopediaknewPatrick’ssoccerteamhadfivewinsandzerolossessofarthissummer.Patrickwasknown for the Behr Stare. When he was playing goalie, he never got riled. He wasimpossible to score against. His team depended on him to take them to the statechampionship.

TodaytherewasnoBehrStare.Patrick’seyesflashed.“That’sit!I’vehadit!”heyelled,slammingaquarteronEncyclopedia’sgascan.“You’vegottomakeherstop.”

“Makewhostop?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Stopwhat?”Sallysaid.

“Goldilocks,”hespat.“She’sbeencreepingintomyhouseanddestroyingthingswhennoone’shome.I’msureofit.”

Encyclopediafoughttokeepastraightface.“ThethreeBehrsarehavingtroublewithGoldilocks?”heasked.

“Thisisserious,”Patrickinsisted.“IwantyoutoprovethatGoldieJenkins,mynext-doorneighbor,hasbeenbreakingandentering.Iwanttohaveherarrested.”

“Thefive-year-old?”Sallyasked.“MaryJenkins’slittlesister?”

“That’sher,”Patricknodded.

“She’sasweet,littlething,”Sallysaid.

“That sweet, little thing is going to driveme insane,” Patrick said through clenchedteeth.

“Patrick,youdon’tneedadetective.YouneedtheBrothersGrimm,”Sallydeclared.

Patrickgroaned.“Youdon’tunderstand.She’smakingmylifegrim.She’snuttyaboutthestoryofGoldilocksandtheThreeBears.YesterdayIcamehomefromsoccerpracticeand foundamess in thekitchen.Therewasabrokencerealbowlandmilkallover thefloor.Andthreeboxesofbreakfastcerealwerecompletelyempty.

“Mydad,”Patrickcontinued,“blamedmewhenhehadtogowithouthiscrunchyoatflakesthismorning.HesaysIeatlikeahungrybear.Mymomwasn’ttoothrilledeither.Shehadtocleanupthemess.GoldieplayingGoldilockspolishedoffherwheatsquares,alongwithmygranola.”

Encyclopediasympathized.Sometimeshismotheraccusedhimofeating likeahorse.Evenso,hehadnevereatenthreeboxesofcerealinonesitting.

“NoonebelievedmewhenIsaidthatGoldiewasthemessmaker,”Patricksaid.

Encyclopediasaid,“Didyouaskherifshewastheonewhodidallthateating?”

“Yes.Shedeniedit,butshewasgigglingherheadoff thewholetime.Idon’tbelieveher,”Patrickreplied.

“Howdidshegetin?Werethedoorslocked?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Ourmothers exchangedhousekeys in caseoneofus evergets lockedout,”Patrickexplained.“Weusedtobegoodneighbors.ThensomeonereadGoldiethatstoryaboutthethreebears.Nowshe’ssneakinginandeatingourcereal!”

“Didshebreakanychairs?”Sallyaskedwithalaugh.

“No,andshe remademybed. I founda strandofgoldenhaironmypillow.”Patrickheldupastrandoflong,goldenhairasif itwerethekeypieceofevidenceinamurdertrial.

“That’sthecolorofGoldie’shairallright,”SallysaidtoEncyclopedia.“HowcanonestrandofhairprovethatGoldie’sbeensneakingaroundinPatrick’shouse?”

“Itcan’t.”EncyclopediatooktheevidencefromPatrickandstudieditforamoment.

“You have to find a way. Please,” Patrick pleaded. “If my father has to go anothermorningwithouthiscrunchyoatflakes,I’llbeinbigtrouble.”

Encyclopedia, Sally, and Patrick headed over to the Jenkins’ house onWorth Street.Mrs.Behrwastakingbagsofgroceriesoutofhercar.Thethreefriendsstoppedtohelp.Encyclopedianoticed that thebaghecarriedcontained threedifferent typesofbreakfastcereal—oneforeachmemberofthefamily.Mrs.BehrwasreplacingwhatGoldilocksate.

TheyfoundGoldieJenkinsinherbackyard.Shehadteddybearslinedup—apapabear,amamabear, and a small babybearwith a big smile.Goldie pretended to read fromabookoffairytales.Encyclopediacouldtellthatshewasmakingupthestoryasshewentalong.

“Thewholewheatsquareswere tooyucky,”shesaidwithagiggle.“And thegranola

wastoosweet,butthecrunchyoatflakeswerejustright!”

“Hi,Goldie,”Sallysaid.“DoyouknowmyfriendEncyclopedia?”

Goldiegiggledinresponse.

“Hi,Goldie,”Encyclopediasaid.“Doyouseethishair?”Heshowedherthestrandofgoldenhair.

Goldiegiggledsomemore.

“Patrick said he found it on his pillow. Did you leave it there, or was it the realGoldilocks?”

“IamtherealGoldilocks,”sheanswered.“Seemybears?We’refriendsnow.”

“So if you’re the realGoldilocks, youmust have been the onewho ate the cereal inPatrick’shouseandsleptinhisbed.”

“Hi,Goldie.DoyouknowmyfriendEncyclopedia?”

“Itwasyou,admitit,”Patricksnarled.

“It wasn’t me. I wouldn’t sleep in his bed,” she giggled. “He sleeps on sheets withpicturesofsuperheroesonthem.”

Patrickstaredat theground;hischeeksblazed.“Ihave to,”hemuttered.“Mygrand-

mothergavethemtomeformybirthday.”

Encyclopedia turned toward Patrick’s backyard. He saw an old swing set and a treehouse.

SallyandPatrickfollowedhisgaze.

“Iguessthat’sit,”Sallysaid.“There’snowaytoproveshewasinthehouse.”

Patrickshookhisheadwithasigh.“I’llhavetogiveupsoccerandguardthekitchenorliveunhappilyeverafter.”

“Oh,shewasinPatrick’shouse,”Encyclopediasaid.“Andinhisbed.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseoftheGigglingGoldilocks.”)

TheCaseofShoelessSam

PinkyPlummer,oneofEncyclopedia’sbestpals,dodgedapuddleandranuptheBrowns’driveway.Thesunhadjustcomeoutafterarainymorning.

“ShoelessSamisbackfromthemountains,andhechallengedtheIdavilleSluggerstoabaseballgame,”hesaid.“CharlieStewart’sgoingtosaveusseats.C’mon!”

Encyclopediagrabbedhishatandglove.ShoelessSam,oftheIdavilleGators,wasthetown’smost entertaining baseball player and now one of the best. Hewasn’t always agoodplayer.Heusedtogetstucksofaroutintheoutfieldthathisglovehadneverevenmetaball.

Oneday,boredandhot,hetookhisshoesandsocksoffandloungedinthegrass.Hecaughtafreakflyballwithhistoes,andeversincehehadbeenknownasShoelessSam.

Thatluckycatchhadsomehowturnedhimintoagreatbaseballplayer.Hewentbacktousinghishands,butlefthissneakersathome.Heevenbroughthisownhomemadeclothbaseballbasestogamessotheywouldnothurthisfeet.Hepitchedfastballs,madedoubleplays,andhitmorehomerunsthananyoneinIdaville.Allinhisbarefeet.

This summer, Shoeless Sam had tied the home run record set by Walter Lombarditwentyyearsbefore.Mr.Lombardi,whoownedthepizzaparlordowntown,hadpromisedfreepizzaforlifetothefirstIdavilleplayertobreakhisrecord.ShoelessSamwasjustonehomerunaway.Everyonewantedtoseehimbecomethenewlongballking.

Encyclopedia and Pinky took the number seven bus to the ball field and chattedexcitedly about the game ahead. The Gators had a running rivalry with the IdavilleSluggers. They had played four times this season, and each team hadwon two games.Today’scontestwoulddecidetheultimatewinner.

Encyclopedia and Pinky joined their friends Herb Stein and Charlie Stewart in thebleachers.SallysattworowsbehindthemwithBillyandJodyTurner.

WouldShoelessSambecomethenewhomerunking?

Shoeless Sam struck out three times in the first four innings. Each time, the crowdgroaned. They began towonder, had Shoeless lost hismagic?Had his lucky feet beendamagedbycoldmountainair?Maybeheneededtoputhisshoesbackon.

The teamswere tied two to twoat the topof theninth inning.ShoelessSamwasondeck,warmingup.SpikeJohnsonswungandconnectedwiththeball.Hemadeittofirstbase.

ShoelessSamtookonemorepracticeswingandthendughistoesintothedampdirtinthebatter’sbox.Thecrowdquieted.Only thecatcher couldbeheard,makingnonsensenoisestodistractthebatter.

Shoeless Sam focused on the ball in the pitcher’s hand. Encyclopedia watched thebaseballflythroughtheair.ShoelessSam’sbatcamearoundandconnectedwiththeballwithaloudthwack!

Thecrowdwasonitsfeet,andShoelessSamwasonhisway.Hewasleavingsecondbase.Twomorebasestogo!Anoutfielderwaschasingtheball.WouldShoelesspassthirdandgettohomebasebeforetheballdid?

Suddenly,amemberoftheSluggersranoutfromthedugoutandleapedonthesecondbaseman.Thecrowd’sviewofthirdwasblockedastheplayersmovedaroundeachotherwiththeirfistsraised.

Theumpiregottheplayersundercontrol,andEncyclopediaturnedbacktoseeShoelessSamplanthisfootonhomebase.Hehadbecomethenewhomerunking!

TheGatorsallranovertocongratulatehim.

“Wait a minute!” the Sluggers’ third baseman said, waving the ball. “Shoeless Samnevercamenearthird.Icaughttheballrightafterthefightbrokeout.HesawthatIwasgoingtotaghimoutandheranstraighttohome.Hedidn’tgetahomerun.Hecheated!”

PinkyturnedtoEncyclopedia.“Thatcan’tbetrue,”hesaid.“ShoelessSamwouldn’tlieaboutsomethinglikethat.”

CharlieStewart shookhishead. “His lucky streak is over, andhe’s trying to cover itup.”

“I’llseewhat’shappening,”Encyclopediatoldthem.

He walked over to the umpire, who stood between an angry Shoeless Sam and theSluggers’ thirdbaseman.“Iwasbreakingup the fight,” theumpiresaid.“Icouldn’t seethirdbase.”

“No one could,” said one of Sam’s teammates. “If you had the ball,why didn’t youthrowittohomebase?”heasked.

“Becausehewasoutatthird,”thebasemansaid.“Therewasnoreasontothrowtheballhome.”

“CanIhelp?”Encyclopediaasked.

“Isteppedonthird,”ShoelessSamsaid.“IknowIdid.Helpmeproveit.”

Encyclopedia lookeddownathomebase.Therewerea fewmuddysneakerprintsonthewhite canvasbase, andabare footprint right in themiddle.Thenhewalked to firstwith the umpire, Shoeless Sam, and half the players from both teams behind him. Hefoundthesamemuddyfootprintsonfirstandsecond.Thirdbase,however,whiledusty,didnothaveanyprintsonitatall.

“See,”thethirdbasemansaid,“Itoldyouhedidn’tsteponthird.Ifhehadcomenearit,Iwouldhavetaggedhimout.He’snohomerunking.”

The umpire shook his head. “You cheated,” he said to Shoeless. “Your team justforfeitedthegame.”

ShoelessSam’sownteammatesturnedtheirbacksonhimandstartedtowalkaway.

“Stop!ShoelessSamgothishomerun,”Encyclopediatoldthem.“ItwastheSluggerswhocheated,notShoelessSam.”

HOWDIDENCYCLOPEDIAKNOW?

(TurntoSOLUTIONSSectionforthesolutionto“TheCaseofShoelessSam.”)

SOLUTIONS

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheHollowTree

Theman suspectedof being the secondbank robbermight not havehad amap, but hedefinitely knew how to find the hollow tree. Encyclopedia noticed that the man hadpausedwhilewalkingandtappedonthesurroundingtreeswithhiswalkingstick.That’showheknewwhichtreehadthemoneyhiddeninside.Thebankrobberknewthathollowtreesmakeadifferentsoundwhentappedontheoutside.

AssoonasEncyclopediapointedoutthosefacts,ChiefBrownhadenoughevidencetoarrest theman. The robber cracked and confessedwhenOfficerMcDonald slipped thehandcuffsonhiswrists.

Thebankrobberwenttojail,andOfficerMcDonaldwentbacktothePoliceAcademyforaclassinhowtoconductastakeout.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheHeadlessGhost

Theghost’shandsgavehimaway.

BugshadcomeupwithhisplanafterreadingaboutthemysteryofOldCutthroatFlint’streasureinthelocalpaper.Toolazytosearchforthetreasurehimself,hedecidedtocheatthechildrenofIdavilleoutoftheirhard-earneddimesandquarters.

TheghostofOldCutthroatFlintwasreallyRockyGraham,aTiger,inanextra-largeT-shirt.Hehadpulledhisheaddownunderthecollar,andreliedonthedarkshedandthepileoforangecratestohidehislegsandhislumpyshape.

Bugsdidn’t thinkanyonewouldbebraveenough toenter theshed.HeneverwarnedRocky about his hands.WhenRocky grabbedEncyclopedia’s candy barwith very realhands,thedetectiveknewtheghostwasafake.

LuckilyforEncyclopediaandtherestofthekids,Rockyhadasweettooth.

Rockyhandedoverthecandybar,andBugsgaveeveryonebacktheirdimes,grumblingthewholetime.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheStolenMoonstone

AssoonasBugsMeanylearnedthathisnewneighborsharedaninterest ininsectswithEncyclopediaBrown,hesawachancetogetevenwiththeboydetective.Hepretendedtobe fascinated by spiders himself to gainRico’s trust.Then he bullied the newboy intohelpinghimwithhisscheme.

Asusual,Bugscouldn’toutsmartEncyclopedia.Hisownwordstrippedhimup.BugssaidthatwhenEncyclopediaputhishandsupagainstthewindowtopeerinside,hesawaringonhisfingerandthatthestone“wasroundandwhite,likethemoon.”

HadhedonewhatBugsclaimed,Encyclopedia’spalmswouldhavebeenupagainstthewindow,notthebackofhishands.Bugswouldn’thaveseenthering’sstoneatall.Ringsarewornwiththestoneonthebackofthehand,notonthepalm.

EncyclopediapointedoutBugs’smistake,andRicoadmittedthatBugshadbulliedhimintolying.Hehadhisgrandmother’sringinhispocketallalong.

Toshowthat therewerenohard feelings,EncyclopediaandSallywalkedRicohomeandspentthemorninglookingathisinsectcollection.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheDisappearingHundreds

ThethiefwasGeorge.Hegavehimselfawaywhenhesaidhehadn’tseenMr.OHara’s

missingBenFranklins.BenFranklin’spictureisonthehundred-dollarbill.

Mr.O’Hara had told Encyclopedia that the bonuseswere going to be a surprise.Henormally came back from the bankwith change for the cash register, whichwould besmallbills.

TheonlywayGeorgewouldhaveguessed that therewerehundred-dollarbills in thebankenvelopewasifhehadseenthem.

Whentoldhismistake,Georgeconfessed.HethoughtMr.O’Harahadforgottentoputthechangeintheregister.Whenhesawthebigbillsintheenvelope,hedecidedtopocketthem.

BobandWendygottheirbonuses,andGeorgegotacopyoftheHelpWantedads.

SolutiontoTheCaseofthePatrioticVolunteer

EncyclopediasuspectedMr.Jeffersonwaslyingwhenhesaidhedidn’twanttogotothetelevisionstation.

Encyclopedia knew the children of America would come up with terrific ideas forimprovingthecountry.However,sendingonemanfromtowntotownwasn’tthebestwaytoget thenewsoutabout thenewcharity.Whoeverheardofacharity thatdidn’twanttelevisioncoverage?

AspatrioticasMr.Jeffersonlookedandsounded,hegavehimselfawaywhenhesaidhevisitedthepresidentandhisfamilyattheirhomeintheCapitolbuilding.Thepresidentof theUnitedStates lives in theWhiteHouse.TheCapitol building iswhereCongressmeets.

AssoonasEncyclopediapointedouthismistake,Mr. Jeffersonadmitted thathewaslying.Hehadhadhispicture takenwithacardboardcutoutof thepresidentona trip toWashington,D.C.,andtriedtousethephotographtomakesomeeasymoney.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheStolenWatch

PunctualPetegavehimselfawaywhenhearrivedattheparkearly.Petewasnormallysopunctualthatyoucouldsetyourwatchbyhim.

WhenEncyclopediafirstnoticedtwodifferenttimesinPablo’spainting,hethoughtthetownclockmightbeslow.WhenPablosuggestedthathewasanartistaheadofhistime,Encyclopediarealizedthattheartisthadsethiswatchfifteenminutesahead.

Withthatinformation,hewasabletosetatrapforthethief.

Punctual Pete relied on Pablo’s stolen watch to tell time and arrived at the viewingfifteenminutesearly.

When confronted, Pete admitted he had stolen the watch to get back at Pablo forinsultinghisloveofart.Hehandedoverthewatchandwentbacktobeingpunctual.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheGymBag

Baldyliedaboutthegymbagandthestampcollection.Neitherbelongedtohim.WhenheoverheardFleettalkingaboutthestampcollectorandthevalueofthestamps,helookedforanopportunitytograbthebag.

WhenFleetsteppedintothecoach’soffice,Baldysawhischance.Hehadn’tcountedongettingcaughtbyFleet.

TheitemsinthegymbaggaveBaldyaway.Hewaswellknownforhisshavedhead.Baldyhadnouseforthehairgelinthegymbag.ThatprovedthebagbelongedtoFleet.

Fleetmadeittothestampstorejustintime.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheSupercomputerBrain

Ernie’smemorywas bigger than his brainpower. Still, hemade twomistakes. First, heanswered one of George’s questions before George finished asking it. George asked,“Whatis11,412dividedby…?”Ernieanswered,“951.”

HowwouldErnieknowtheanswerunlesshehadmemorizedthequestion?Hedidn’tgiveGeorgeachancetoaskhimtodivide11,412by12.Also,thedocumentthatgrantslife, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is the Declaration of Independence, not theUnitedStatesConstitution.

WhenEncyclopedia pointedout thesemistakes,George admitted that hehad tried toplayatrickonJacobandtherestofthechildren.Headdedbluefoodcoloringtobottlesofwaterandstuckphonylabelsonthem.Hewastryingtoearnsomeeasymoney.

GeorgegaveJacobhismoneybackandstartedlookingforarealjob.

SolutiontoTheCaseoftheGigglingGoldilocks

Goldiegaveherselfawaywhenshesaid,“Hesleepsonsheetswithpicturesofsuperheroesonthem.”WhenEncyclopediasawPatrick’sbackyard,heknewthatGoldieJenkinshadtobethemysterious,cereal-eatingvisitor.

Encyclopediasawaswingsetandatreehouse,butnoclothesline.TheonlywayGoldiecouldhaveknownthatPatrickhadsuperherosheetswasifshehadslippedbetweenthem.

Whenconfrontedwith theevidence,Goldieconfessedandapologized.PatrickwassorelievedthathereadheranewstoryfromTheFairyTalesoftheBrothersGrimm.

Mrs.Behrtookeveryoneoutforicecreamtocelebrate—everyoneexceptGoldie.Shewastoobusysleeping—beautifully—whileshewaitedforherprincetocome.

SolutiontoTheCaseofShoelessSam

The Sluggers didn’t want Shoeless Sam to break the home run record, and they really

didn’twant theGators towin the game.They hadworked out a plan ahead of time tomakesurethatdidn’thappen.

As soon as Shoeless Sam left second base, two members of the Sluggers started afistfight toblockthecrowd’sviewof thirdbase.While theumpireandthecrowdinthebleacherswatched the fight, the player at third turned his base over. If Shoeless Sam’sfootprintwasn’tonthird,whocouldprovethathehadactuallytouchedthebase?

Itwas the cleanbase thatgave theSluggers away.Allof theotherbaseshadmuddysneakerprintsonthem,alongwithSam’sfootprint.Thirdbasewasclean,becausenoonehadsteppedonthatsideofthebase.

Encyclopedia turned thebaseover again.ShoelessSam’sbare footprintwas stampedrightinthemiddlealongwithmuddysneakerprints.Hewasindeedthehomerunking.