Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime by Donald Sobol Page B

THIEF?
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    (Turn to page 77 for the solution to “The Case of the Vanished Sculpture.”)

The Case of the Glittering Diamonds

    During the year Encyclopedia helped his father solve crimes. When school let out for the summer, he helped the children of the neighborhood as well. He opened a detective office in the family garage. Every morning after breakfast he posted his business sign outside the garage. He kept his fee to only twenty-five cents.
    Encyclopedia Brown was sitting in his agency reading the business section of the newspaper. There was an article on the stock market quoting some financial experts. Half of them thought the market would go up. The other half thought it would go down. There was also an item about an Idaville man who had started a company that made triangular-shaped cardboard boxes. Encyclopedia was wondering what kind of company he might start for himself when he heard a voice in front of him.
    â€œBuy low, sell high, and never be afraid to leave some of the profit for someone else.”
    These words of wisdom were uttered by Dollar Bill Pesada. He was in the sixth grade. Everyone called him Dollar Bill because he was careful with his money. He always had his eye out for good investments.
    Encyclopedia put down the newspaper. “That’s sound advice.”
    Dollar Bill smiled. “The trick is knowing when the right moment has come.” He took out a quarter and put it down on the empty gasoline can. “I won’t waste your time with small talk because time is money.”
    â€œGood to know,” said Encyclopedia.
    Bill went on. “I’m here for a reason. I want to hire you to check out a new opportunity I’ve just heard about. Bugs Meany is selling shares in a diamond mine.”
    â€œBugs Meany?” Encyclopedia groaned. “Ugh.”
    Bugs was the leader of a gang of boys called the Tigers. They were so underhanded that sometimes they had trouble raising their arms over their heads.
    â€œThis could be a great opportunity,” said Dollar Bill. “If what he’s claiming is true, I could double or triple my investment in no time.”
    â€œIf I know Bugs,” said Encyclopedia, “he’ll be the only one making money on this.”
    â€œIn that case,” said Dollar Bill, “we’d better investigate at once.”
    They found Bugs standing in front of the Tigers’ clubhouse, an unused toolshed behind Mr. Sweeney’s Auto Body Shop. A crowd of kids had gathered around him. Bugs was talking about the diamond mine Dollar Bill had mentioned.
    â€œYou know how women wear diamond engagement rings?” said Bugs.
    The crowd of kids sounded off to let him know they did.
    â€œSome of the diamonds found in this mine are too big and heavy to put on a finger. You’d barely be able to lift one with two hands.”
    â€œIs that all diamonds are good for?” asked a kid in the front.
    Bugs said, “No, no, they’re used in machines and other things. Believe me, it won’t be hard to find a home for any diamonds dug out of this mine.”
    The kid in front still wasn’t satisfied. “I’m not so sure. What if your cousin just made the whole thing up?”
    Encyclopedia feared Bugs might take a swing at the kid for saying something like that, but Bugs surprised him.
    â€œI don’t blame you for doubting,” Bugs said calmly. “After all, nobody wants to be tricked into losing money.”
    The kids laughed a bit uneasily.
    Bugs grinned. “My cousin knows that, too. He didn’t want you to take my word for anything. That’s why he sent me some proof.”
    Bugs drew a box out of his pocket and opened it.
    Everyone moved forward for a closer look.
    â€œOooh!”
    â€œWow!”
    â€œJust look at the size of that diamond!”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Bugs. “It’s nearly as big as a golf ball. Look how it glitters in the sun.