Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace Read Online Free PDF Page A

case.
    He could make change for Hector and let him sneak through the house and out by the back door. But then he would be stuck with Red Slattery and a wheelbarrow full of pennies!
    Hector peeked out the garage door. “Red’s down the block. He’s waiting for me to come out. I’m trapped like a dog!”
    “Don’t panic,” said Encyclopedia, as much to himself as to Hector.
    “You’ve got to get me out of here, quick!” cried Hector. “I don’t dare refuse to make change for Red. No one does. Bugs Meany tried last week and you know what happened.”
    “I k-know,” said Encyclopedia unsteadily. “Bugs told Red to put a hat in his mouth. So Red emptied Bugs’s pockets and threw him into Mill Creek.”
    “Somebody ought to tell a grownup about what Red is doing. But all the kids are scared stiff—like me,” said Hector disgustedly.
    “That’s the answer!” exclaimed Encyclopedia. “We’ve got to have a grownup catch Red in the act! How much money is in the socks?”
    “Fifteen dollars and eight cents,” answered Hector. “Red will get it all if we don’t move fast.”
    “We will,” said Encyclopedia. “Follow me.”
    He led Hector through the house, out the back door, across Mr. Colby’s yard, and to Mr. Link’s back door.
    Mr. Link was an artist and worked at home. He was also a coin collector.
    Encyclopedia told him about Red Slattery. Mr. Link agreed to watch Red’s money-changing trick.
    Encyclopedia asked for a loan of seven dollars and nineteen cents. Hector would have to have money when Red asked for change, he explained.
    “We’ll need one five-dollar bill, a one-dollar bill, one half-dollar, one quarter, four dimes, and four pennies,” said the boy sleuth.
    After Mr. Link had left the living room to fetch the money, Hector said, “We could mark the bills. Then Red couldn’t deny he took the money.”
    “No, Red might notice the marks and be scared off,” said Encyclopedia. “We’ll copy the numbers of the bills and dates of the coins on a sheet of paper.”
    Mr. Link returned with the money. Encyclopedia copied the numbers and the dates. Then he had Hector empty his pockets. Mr. Link saw that Hector had no money of his own to help make change for Red.
    “Now return to the garage the way we came,” Encyclopedia told Hector, “and then come back here by the sidewalk. Be sure you stop right in front of the house. Mr. Link must be able to see and hear everything Red says and does.”

    “Glad to help,” said Hector. “What do you want change for?”
    Hector grabbed the seven dollars and nineteen cents and raced out Mr. Link’s back door. A minute later Encyclopedia saw him approaching on the sidewalk.
    Red’s voice called, “Hey, kid! Wait a second.”
    Hector stopped in front of Mr. Link’s house.
    “I need some change,” said Red, coming up.
    “Glad to help,” said Hector. He took out Mr. Link’s money. “What do you want change for?”
    At that moment Encyclopedia and Mr. Link took their gaze from the window. Mrs. Link had entered the room. “It’s time for lunch,” she said to Mr. Link.
    “In a moment, dear,” replied Mr. Link. “In a moment!”
    He and Encyclopedia turned from Mrs. Link and looked outside again. Red was walking away, grinning.
    “We missed it!” thought Encyclopedia.
    Mr. Link ran from the house. “Hold it, son,” he shouted.
    Red stopped and turned around uneasily.
    “Did you just take money from this boy?” demanded Mr. Link.
    “I didn’t take anything,” retorted Red. “I got change.”
    “Let’s see the money he gave you,” said Mr. Link.
    Red glared. “I don’t have to show you anything, or tell you anything,” he said. “You’re no cop. I know my rights!”
    “If I made change for you, where’s the money you gave me?” said Hector. He pulled his pockets inside out. “I don’t have a cent.”
    Red pointed to a drain in the gutter near Hector.
    “You dropped all the money I gave you down the drain, remember?” he