Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man Read Free Page B

matter. In the entrance hall I saw this other kid pick up a camera. When he spotted me, he ran out the back door and into the woods.”
    “That’s a good story,” said Encyclopedia. “Good enough to prove you were the thief!”
    WHY?

The Case of the Explorer’s Money
    “You haven’t touched your breakfast, dear,” said Mrs. Brown. “Is something wrong?”
    “I’m not hungry,” replied Chief Brown. “I’m worried.”
    “About a case?” asked Encyclopedia.
    “Chief Walker of Glenn City wants me to help him recover fifty thousand dollars,” said Chief Brown.
    “Wow! Did someone rob a bank, Dad?”
    “No, the money belonged to Sir Cameron Whitehead, who died last month. He was the famous Arctic explorer.”
    “Arctic—let’s see,” said Mrs. Brown. “That means just the North Pole region and not the South Pole area, doesn’t it?”
    “Yes, that’s right,” said Chief Brown. “Sir Cameron never went to the South Pole.”
    “But he made eleven trips to the North Pole,” said Encyclopedia.
    “Sir Cameron retired to Glenn City three years ago,” said Chief Brown. “The money was stolen last month while he lay sick and dying. The Glenn City police still haven’t found a clue.”
    Chief Brown drew a heavy breath. “Chief Walker of Glenn City thinks I can work a miracle. He expects me to capture the thief presto! ”
    “Why can’t you?” asked Mrs. Brown. “You have a helper.”
    Chief Brown grinned.“ Want to help, Leroy?”
    “Go with you? Boy, would I!” exclaimed Encyclopedia. “I’ll telephone Sally Kimball and tell her to look after the detective agency for the day.”
    Chief Brown went over the case during the half-hour drive to Glenn City.
    The fifty thousand dollars had been stolen from a safe in the library of the explorer’s home. The police believed the thief had hidden the money somewhere in or around the house, expecting to come back for it later.
    The reason for this belief was simple. Anyone could get into Sir Cameron’s house. But no one, including the servants, could leave the grounds without being searched by guards.
    “Sir Cameron liked visitors,” said Chief Brown. “However, he was afraid that someone might steal part of his famous Arctic collection. Ah, here’s the estate just ahead.”
    Encyclopedia saw a large brick house and broad lawns enclosed by a high steel fence. A stream of people was entering by the main gate.
    “Sir Cameron died the day after the theft,” said Chief Brown. “All of his belongings—his house, his furniture, and his Arctic collection—are being auctioned today.”
    “Does Chief Walker think the thief will try to slip the money out in the crowd?” asked Encyclopedia.
    “Yes, and there aren’t enough policemen in the state to watch everyone here today.”
    As his father parked the car, a big man waved.
    “That’s Chief Walker. I’ll be with him till the sale starts at ten o’clock,” said Chief Brown. “Suppose we meet at the front door at ten minutes of ten.”
    Encyclopedia nodded and glanced at his watch. It was nine o’clock. That gave him fifty minutes to find the fifty thousand dollars!
    The boy detective considered the thief’s problem.
    He could get into the house. But he could not get out of it without being searched by the guards. So after breaking open the safe, where would he hide the money?”
    Burying it in the ground would take too long. And someone was sure to see him. Then there was the risk of coming back later to dig up the money.
    “The money has to be hidden where no one would think of looking,” decided Encyclopedia.
    He wandered from room to room. Men and women were examining every stick of furniture. Drawers were pulled out. Cabinet doors were opened. Wives argued with husbands about how much to bid for a chair or table or desk when the sale began.
    Nobody screamed. Nobody fainted. Nobody opened a drawer or door and discovered fifty thousand dollars!
    Encyclopedia edged up to a piano. Quickly he