Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablos Nose Read Free Page A

explained that he was only making notes for a speech.”
    â€œWhat then?” Sally asked.
    â€œThe masked man grabbed the sheet of paper,” Mrs. Witten said. “He read it, threw it into the wastebasket, and tied the professor’s hands behind his back.”

    She paused to blow her nose again.
    â€œThe horrible creature,” she continued, “told me that the ransom for Professor Irvin would be half a million dollars. The money must be ready by tomorrow, when he’ll phone with instructions. He took the professor away at gunpoint!”
    â€œHalf a million dollars!” Sally gasped. “Who can raise that much so quickly?”
    â€œProfessor Irvin’s family,” Mrs. Witten said. “They have a lot of money.”
    Encyclopedia went to the wastebasket and removed its contents—a shoe ad and a sheet of paper.
    On the sheet was written a list of names: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Jackson, and Grant.
    â€œDid you notice anything special about the kidnapper?” Encyclopedia inquired.
    â€œHis voice,” Mrs. Witten replied. “I’ve heard it before, but I can’t remember where.”
    Encyclopedia passed the sheet to Sally.
    â€œThe names of five Presidents,” she murmured. “How could the professor do it? Mrs. Witten was being tied to a chair right in front of him, and he calmly made notes for a speech!”
    â€œI don’t believe the names are notes for a speech,” Encyclopedia said. “I think they are a code that tells who the kidnapper is. The professor must have recognized him despite the mask.”
    Sally stared at the list. “All these Presidents held office during a war, or fought in one, didn’t they?”
    â€œAll except Jefferson,” Encyclopedia corrected.
    To Mrs. Witten he said, “Would you know the kidnapper if you had a name to go with his voice?”
    â€œI’m sure I would,” she answered.
    â€œIs it Jefferson?” Sally suggested eagerly.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Mrs. Witten said. “I’m afraid not.”
    Sally wrinkled her nose. “The names must be notes for a speech after all.”
    â€œNo,” Encyclopedia declared. “Professor Irvin wouldn’t dare write down the kidnapper’s name for him to see. My guess is that the professor invented a code on the spot.”
    Encyclopedia closed his eyes. He was thinking his hardest.
    After a while he opened his eyes. “Got it!” he exclaimed. “The code should have
six
names! The kidnapper must have grabbed the sheet before Professor Irvin had time to write the sixth name.”
    â€œWhat is the sixth name, young man?” Mrs. Witten said.
    â€œFranklin.”
    â€œEncyclopedia!” cried Sally. “Is Franklin the kidnapper’s name? Is it?”
    â€œNo,” said Encyclopedia. “The kidnapper’s name is the name that Professor Irvin had time to write down, but purposely didn’t.”
What Was the Kidnapper’s Name?
    (Turn to this page for the solution to The Case of the Masked Man.)

The Case of the Organ-Grinder

    E ncyclopedia and Sally nearly tripped over Tony Gerosa in the Sunland Shopping Center.
    Tony was on his hands and knees. He was staring into a tin cup held by a toy monkey dressed in a cute suit. The monkey stood atop a hand organ.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Tony?” Sally asked.
    Tony made a noise like a stepped-on chicken. Then he stammered, “K-Kome sid stole my coins.”
    â€œHow’s that?” Encyclopedia said.
    â€œSome kid, I mean,” Tony said, and tried again. “Some kid stole my coins.”
    He explained. The hand organ belonged to his grandfather, a retired organ-grinder. Tony had borrowed it to raise money for his club’s flag football team.
    â€œWe need flags and a football,” he said.
    â€œWhat are you doing on the floor?” asked Encyclopedia.

    Tony tapped the water fountain by his