Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case Read Online Free PDF Page A

Michael tried to mix his dough, sprinkling the judges and making them sneeze.
    Mary Macaroon looked like a serious challenger. She even wore an official chef’s hat and apron.
    â€œFashion doesn’t win bake-offs,” Sally said with a sniff.
    But Encyclopedia noticed that she whisked her eggs and creamed her butter and sugar like a pro.
    Joey was the first to slide his cookie sheets into the oven, followed by Mary. Soon the smell of baking cookies filled the room. Encyclopedia’s mouth watered.
    Ten minutes later, four oven timers buzzed, one after the other. As soon as all four trays of cookies were on the table, the judges took out their clipboards. They stopped at Michael Esposito’s table first.
    Each of the three judges carefully chewed one of his cookies, making notes about the crispness of the baked dough or the sweetness of the chocolate. When all three were finished, an assistant handed them glasses of water. The judges swished water around their mouths and then swallowed.
    â€œThey’re clearing their taste buds for the next cookie,” Sally remarked.
    The judges went through the same routine with Emily Drew’s cookies. Then they stood in front of Mary Macaroon.
    â€œThey’re taking extra bites of Mary’s cookies,” Sally noticed. “They must be good.”
    â€œNot too good, I hope,” Encyclopedia said, watching closely. “Getting his recipe published is Joey’s dream.”
    The judges finished with Mary’s cookies and motioned for the assistant to bring them fresh water. They rinsed their mouths and emptied their glasses. Judge number two filled her glass again. Then all three stepped in front of Joey’s table.
    Joey nervously chewed on his lip. He watched the judges pick up his cookies. His mouth opened and closed with theirs as they each took a bite.
    The judges coughed and sputtered. One spit Joey’s cookie into a napkin. Judge number two quickly downed her water as the assistant rushed forward with filled glasses for the other judges.
    Joey’s face fell in dismay. He took a bite of one of his cookies, and then spit it out again. “I don’t know what happened,” he cried. “This tastes awful!”
    Encyclopedia stepped forward and took a small nibble. He sniffed the cinnamon on Joey’s table. Then he shook some sugar into his hand and tasted it. “Someone’s substituted salt for your sugar, and red pepper for cinnamon,” he said.
    Joey’s shoulders slumped. “I won’t even be number two this year,” he moaned. “I’ll be last.”
    Encyclopedia turned to the judges. “Can you let everyone start over, with fresh ingredients?”
    â€œThat’s not fair to the other contestants,” judge number two said sternly. “We need to award the prize.”
    â€œThat’s easy for you to say,” Encyclopedia said. “You were the one who rigged the ingredients.”
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    HOW DID ENCYCLOPEDIA KNOW?
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    (Click here for the solution to “The Case of the Counterfeit Dough.”)

The Case of the Astronaut Duck
    Encyclopedia and his pal Charlie Stewart had a watermelon-seed spitting contest after lunch. Sally used a tape measure to determine the winner. Encyclopedia was ahead by three inches.
    Suddenly, Moonboy Webster ran by wearing his astronaut helmet.
    Moonboy Webster, whose real name was Austin, was Idaville’s astronaut-in-training. He’d been talking about rocketing to the stars ever since he witnessed his first space shuttle launch. He walked, talked, ate, and dreamed about nothing but outer space.
    â€œDid you hear?” he called excitedly from the end of the driveway. “There’s a real NASA astronaut right here in Idaville!”
    That got Encyclopedia’s attention. He liked to learn about outer space, too.
    â€œHe’s raising money for a space mission,” Moonboy said. “He’s going to talk at the town