The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt Read Online Free PDF Page A

what can happen when you two work together?” said Mom.
    “Two brains are better than one,” said Judy.
    “Especially when it’s Scurvy-Stink-and-Mad-Molly-O’Maggot brains,” Stink said, tapping his head.

    Scurvy Stink and Mad Molly reported to Pirate Headquarters just before twelve noon. A small crowd of people had gathered, waiting.
    Stink and Judy ran up to Scurvy Sam. Stink opened his pouch and counted out all sixteen pieces of eight. Scurvy Sam’s eyes lit up brighter than the firecrackers that Blackbeard was famous for having in his beard. “Well, blow me down. If it ain’t Mad Molly and Scurvy Stink. Ain’t you two o’ the smartest urchins on the Outer Banks!”
    Scurvy Sam climbed aboard his ship and clanged the bell twelve times. “Avast, me hearties! We have us two winners!” After a big speech, Scurvy Sam climbed down and went up to Judy and Stink. He raised their hands in the air, then danced a funny hornpipe. The crowd clapped and hooted.

    “Now tell us, fer all to hear,” he said. “How’d ye do it, me mateys? What’s yer secret?
Arrr.
”
    “Just super-duper brain power,” said Stink, tapping his head. “And a trusty-dusty survival kit.”
    “And a little luck,” Judy said. “Even though Stink almost got us in jail.” The crowd broke into laughter.
    Scurvy Sam presented Judy and Stink each with a shiny gold doubloon. Stink’s had a skull and crossbones and said
1587
on the back.
    “Rare,” said Judy. “Mine has pictures of Blackbeard
and
Anne Bonny!”
    “Whoa, it’s like a
gold
silver dollar,” said Stink. “Is it real?”
    “It’ll break yer teeth if ye bite it.”
    “It’s not cursed, is it?” Stink asked.
    Scurvy Sam winked. “Would an old sea dog like me curse a fellow pirate?” He turned back to the crowd.
    “That be it, mateys. Thanks be to ye one and all for makin’ the Third Annual Pirate Treasure Hunt such a dandy hoot and a holler. Now, mind ye, don’t be leavin’ without yer pirate booty! Treasure for all!” The Assistant Pirates passed out goody bags while Scurvy Sam shook hands and waved good-bye to all the treasure hunters.
    “I told you it was the bell,” said a Girl voice.
    “I know you did, but you never said which bell, and there was one inside the museum!” said a Boy voice.
    Judy’s eyes grew wide. Stink hiccupped. Tall Boy and Smart Girl!
    “You’re so lucky,” Smart Girl said to Judy and Stink. “We came all the way from Maine, and we really wanted to win.”
    “We tried way hard. We were sure we had it,” said Tall Boy.
    “Wow!” said Smart Girl, eyeing Stink’s doubloon. “Sure is shiny.”

    “Yeah,” said Stink. “There’s only one thing better than gold.”
    “What could be better than gold?” Judy asked.
    “A ride on a for-real pirate ship!” said Stink.
    “I’d give anything to ride on a pirate ship,” said Tall Boy.
    Judy looked at Stink. Stink looked at Judy. She couldn’t help feeling funny about beating them. She could tell Stink felt bad, too.
    “Actually, we can’t go for a ride on the pirate ship after all,” Judy said.
    “What!?” said Smart Girl and Tall Boy at the same time.

    “Have ye lost yer senses?” said Scurvy Sam, overhearing them.
    “Not alone, anyway. We’d be breaking Pirate Rule Number Two,” said Judy.
    “That’s right!” Stink piped in. “Pirate Rule Two says that if you find treasure, you have to share it — even-steven.”
    “By jiggers, they be right!” said Scurvy Sam. “And the punishment for breakin’ Pirate Rule Number Two be marooning ye on a desert island with nothin’ but bugs for grub.”
    “You gotta come with us,” Stink told Tall Boy and Smart Girl.
    “Save us from eating bugs,” said Judy.
    “Besides,” said Stink, “you guys kinda helped us win.”
    “We did?” asked Smart Girl, crinkling her nose.
    “We saw you guys looking through your binoculars, so we looked, too. That’s how we found the sign of the pirate.”
    “But we found it