Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablos Nose Read Online Free PDF

make!”
    â€œIt really works,” Fifi muttered as she came back to the detectives. “I couldn’t get up.”
    â€œThink of it!” Wilford crowed. “You can own a part of the Wilford Whammy company! While my little beauty is fighting crime and protecting your loved ones, it will be making you millions!”
    The children looked at one another. Did Wilford say
Millions!
    Greed overcame doubt. They lined up to buy shares.

    â€œEncyclopedia,” Sally said, “do something before Wilford takes all their savings. You can, can’t you?”
    â€œOf course,” said Encyclopedia.
What Made Encyclopedia So Sure?
    (Turn to this page for the solution to The Case of the Wilford Whammy.)

The Case of the Racing Reptiles

    W ednesday morning Encyclopedia and Sally went over to Barry Duncan’s house. They wanted to see his two racing lizards, Erasmus and Erastus.
    Barry had been telling everyone what fast steppers Erasmus and Erastus were. He was training them for Idaville’s Great Snake, Turtle, and Lizard Races on Saturday.
    When the detectives arrived, Barry was standing in his driveway with Spike Larson, one of Bugs Meany’s Tigers. The two boys were jawing at each other, nose to nose and toe to toe.
    Encyclopedia couldn’t hear what was being said. But it was a cinch they weren’t asking each other over for tea.
    â€œUh-oh, I better break this up before Barry gets hurt,” Sally said.
    She hurried across the street. Encyclopedia followed uneasily.
    Spike saw them approaching.
    â€œStay out of this, you gumballs,” he warned. “Go somewhere and adopt a pig.”
    Sally didn’t scare. “What’s going on?” she demanded.
    â€œSpike let Kid Tiger, his snake, slip into the cage with Erasmus and Erastus,” Barry said. “That snake ate them for breakfast!”
    â€œLiar!” Spike roared. “Remember what your face looks like because I’m going to change it.”
    â€œEase off, Spike,” Encyclopedia ordered, and edged closer to Sally. Spike had learned the hard way what she could do to a Tiger.
    â€œSuppose you tell us exactly what happened,” Sally suggested. “You first, Barry.”
    â€œLizards are cold-blooded,” Barry began. “In the morning I take Erasmus and Erastus outside and leave them in the cage. I let the sun warm them up to get them moving.”
    In the driveway was an empty cage. Its bars shone in the sunlight. From the small door on the side hung a closed lock.
    Barry said, “After some time in the sun, Erasmus and Erastus are ready for their workout.”
    â€œWherever do you get racing lizards?” Sally inquired.
    â€œI found them near Mill Pond two weeks ago,” Barry answered. “There are plenty of big lizards there. Erasmus and Erastus were the hardest to catch. So I knew they were faster than the average lizard.
    â€œThe races on Saturday,” he went on, “will be held on a sixteen-foot ramp with a six-inch wall on both sides. My dad built a training ramp like it in the backyard. I get Erasmus and Erastus started by yelling and blowing on them.”
    â€œWhich one is faster?” Sally asked.
    â€œErasmus wins if he rolls,” Barry said. “Erastus is fasterafoot, but I can’t count on him. Sometimes he jumps the wall for a side trip in the grass.”
    â€œDid you actually see Kid Tiger in the cage?” Encyclopedia inquired.
    â€œYou know it,” Barry declared. “Half an hour ago I came out of the house. Kid Tiger had eaten Erasmus and was finishing off Erastus. He got away before I could catch him.”
    Sally said, “The lizards might have escaped through the door of the cage and still be alive. Another snake might have wandered in when the cage was empty.”
    â€œI know Kid Tiger when I see him,” Barry said. “Besides, the door is always locked. I have the only key.”
    â€œGo on,”