Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Treasure Hunt Read Online Free PDF Page B

calmed him down.
    The detective had a better way.
    “We can use the bandage and the penny to get them to confess,” he said.
    HOW?
    (
Turn to this page for the solution to
The Case of the Leaking Tent.)

The Case of the Worm Pills
    Olivia Bent put twenty-five cents on the gasoline can beside Encyclopedia.
    “I need protection,” she announced.
    “From whom?” Encyclopedia asked, sitting up.
    “From myself. I’m getting greedy again,” Olivia explained. “Wilford Wiggins has a new money-making plan, and I want to believe him. He promises to make all us little kids so rich we can have a charge account with the ice-cream truck.”
    “Oh, no,” Sally groaned. “Wilford never quits!”
    Wilford Wiggins was a high-school dropout and too lazy to walk in his sleep. He spent his time dreaming up ways to cheat the children of the neighborhood out of their savings.
    “Wilford has more pipe dreams than a plumber,” Sally said.
    “You must understand him,” Encyclopedia said. “Wilford isn’t well. He’s suffers from ergasophobia—fear of work.”
    “Wilford has called a secret meeting for five o’clock in the city dump,” Olivia informed the detectives. “He told us kids to bring all our money.”
    “Wilford didn’t tell me about the meeting,” Encyclopedia pointed out.
    “Wilford knows he can’t get anything out of you but trouble,” Olivia replied. “You’ve stopped his phony get-rich-quick deals all summer.”
    “Stay home and save your money,” Sally urged. “Wilford is so crooked, he once tried to sell ashes from a campfire as instant log cabins. All you had to do was add water.”
    “I know,” Olivia admitted. “But today may be different. He may have a really good deal. I want you to listen to him and give me your opinion.”
    Encyclopedia looked at his watch. It was a quarter to five. “If we’re going to catch him, we’d better hurry.”
    They reached the city dump as Wilford was about to start his sales pitch. He signaled the crowd of children to gather around him. At his feet was a large box of dirt and a sprinkling can filled with water.
    Standing beside Wilford was Melvin Pugh. Melvin called himself Idaville’s leading boy inventor.
    “Oh, my,” Sally gasped. “Double trouble.”
    Encyclopedia knew what she meant. Wilford and Melvin had teamed up once before, trying to peddle a bowling ball without holes. It was supposed to be for women who were afraid of breaking their fingernails.
    “I’ll bet the big deal today is a better mousetrap,” Sally said.
    “Or how to breed dumb mice,” Encyclopedia replied.
    Wilford had raised his hands for silence.
    “You’re itching to know why all the secrecy,” he said. “Okay, I’ll tell you. I want to keep this chance of a lifetime strictly for my young friends.”
    He paused. He had spotted Encyclopediaand Sally standing with Olivia.
    “This deal is so big that even smarty detectives will beg me to let them in,” he said, winking at his audience.
    “Quit banging your gums,” someone hollered. “Get to the point.”
    “Can’t wait to be rich, eh, friend?” Wilford shot back. “What is it that will make you oodles of money, you ask? Am I right? Well, you’re looking at it!”
    He pointed to the box of dirt at his feet.
    “Yes, I’m talking about this box,” he cried, and kicked it triumphantly. “Behold, a fortune!”
    Bugs Meany pushed to the front of the crowd.
    “Has anybody weighed your head lately?” Bugs demanded. “What’s so great about a box of dirt?”
    “I knew you’d ask, friend,” Wilford said. “This box is full of worms.”
    “I don’t see a thing,” Bugs grumbled.
    “You will as soon as my partner, Melvin Pugh, brings them up. Show ’em your magic pill, the greatest little outdoor invention since tent pegs.”
    Melvin took a white pill from his pocket. Heheld it up for all to see before dropping it into the can of water. “Now watch the worms come up!” he sang, sprinkling the box of