Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case Read Online Free PDF Page B

for his country.”
    Moonboy jumped to his feet. But he was surrounded by a chorus of other kids volunteering to take the duck.
    â€œAnd, of course, I’ll need a small fee of fifty dollars,” the astronaut said.
    â€œFifty dollars!” the kids cried. Most of them sat right back down. But Moonboy stayed on his feet.
    â€œIt’ll take every penny I have saved, but I’ll get the money,” Moonboy said.
    The astronaut seemed relieved and happy, until Encyclopedia got to his feet.
    â€œSave your money, Moonboy,” he said. “And, you,” he said to the man, “better give us back our fifty cents. You’re not an astronaut. You’re a fake.”
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    HOW DID ENCYCLOPEDIA KNOW?
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    (Click here for the solution to “The Case of the Astronaut Duck.”)

The Case of the Lucky Catch
    Encyclopedia and some of the gang were on their way to a picnic. Ace Harvey, a retired major-league baseball player, invited all of Idaville’s Little League teams to his estate near the beach.
    Encyclopedia, Pinky Plummer, Billy and Jody Turner, Herb Stein, Charlie Stewart, and Sally Kimball took the number nine bus. They carried baseballs, gloves, and bats that they hoped Mr. Harvey would autograph.
    â€œDo you think we’ll get to see the baseball?” Pinky asked.
    No one had to ask what baseball. Ace Harvey had made the most famous catch in baseball history. He made the game-winning catch in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series. Not only did his team win the game, they became world champions with just one catch.
    After the game, he had every single one of his teammates sign his lucky ball. Mr. Harvey had been offered thousands of dollars for his baseball, but he refused to sell.
    â€œI hope we do get to see the ball,” Billy Turner said. “I’d love to hold it in my hand for just one second. Do you think it would bring me good luck?”
    Everyone knew that Billy’s team had lost a big game when Billy dropped a high fly. Ever since, he didn’t seem to be able to catch a ball. He even dropped the ball when he was pitching! He was in a real slump.
    â€œYou need more than luck,” Jody teased. “You need a new sport.”
    Sally shushed Jody with a look, then turned to Billy. “I hear he keeps the ball locked up in a glass case,” she said. “But maybe just looking at it will break you out of your slump.”
    â€œThen I’ll look at it until my eyes hurt,” Billy said, ignoring his twin.
    The bus stopped on Mr. Harvey’s corner and the children got off. The friends were suddenly shy when they got a look at Ace Harvey’s mansion. It was one of the biggest in Idaville. Then Encyclopedia rang the doorbell. It played Take Me Out to the Ball Game , and they all relaxed.
    A maid answered and led Encyclopedia and his pals through a center hall toward the backyard. On the way, they passed the glass case. A spotlight shone on the game-winning baseball. The ball turned on its pedestal so that they could see every autograph. Billy stared at it without blinking.
    Then the friends were led to the back door. Ace Harvey shook hands with everyone and signed their balls, bats, and gloves. He waved them into the backyard, which was already filled with kids playing catch on the baseball diamond, splashing in the pool, or eating as many hot dogs and hamburgers as they could fit in their stomachs.
    Mr. Harvey had hired a baseball coach, lifeguards, barbecue chefs, and even a games director to make sure everyone had a good time.
    Billy flopped in the grass next to Encyclopedia and Sally. The detectives had just won a three-legged race.
    â€œI can’t get my mind off Ace Harvey’s baseball,” Billy said. “Do you think if I asked as a special favor he’d let me hold it?”
    Encyclopedia looked at his friend. Billy had dropped his egg in the egg-carrying contest and there was dried yolk all over his