Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs by Donald J. Sobol

Author:Donald J. Sobol
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2010-09-01T16:00:00+00:00

HOW DID RUSTY GIVE HIMSELF AWAY?

(Turn to page 80 for the solution to “The Case of the Grabbed Groceries.”)

The Case of the Giant Shark Tooth

Encyclopedia Brown was eating an apple when Charlie Stewart walked into his garage.

“Ah,” said Charlie, “you must have a loose tooth.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” said Encyclopedia. “Appearances can fool you. Every detective knows that.”

Charlie looked disappointed. “You mean you don’t have a loose tooth?”

“Afraid not,” said Encyclopedia. “The truth is, I just like apples.”

“Too bad,” said Charlie. “It’s a well-known fact that eating an apple is a good way to get a loose tooth to come out.”

“Well known to you, Charlie,” said Sally, “but not to everyone else.”

This was true. Charlie Stewart was the proud owner of Idaville’s best tooth collection. Other kids might put their baby teeth under their pillows, hoping to get money from the tooth fairy. Not Charlie. His baby teeth were the first things he had collected. He kept them in a display at home, each one labeled with the date it had fallen out. Although he also had a bear tooth, a lion’s tooth, and a rattlesnake fang, he wasn’t satisfied. He was always on the lookout for new teeth to collect.

“Haven’t found any hen’s teeth yet, have you?” Sally asked.

Charlie laughed. “That would really be something. As I suspect you already know, hens don’t have teeth.”

“Beaks don’t count?” said Sally.

“Not the same at all,” Charlie insisted. “Sharks do have teeth. Rows and rows of them. That’s why I’m here. Duke Kelly, one of Bugs Meany’s Tigers, is selling what he says are the largest shark teeth ever. If it’s true, I just have to have one. It would be the star of my collection.”

“Duke Kelly’s family has a boat,” said Encyclopedia. “I don’t know how many fish stories they have to go with it.”

“Neither do I,” said Charlie. He put a quarter down on the gasoline can. “That’s why I want to hire you to come with me. Duke says he’s selling the teeth for a good cause. The children’s hospital in Cincinnati will get the money.”

Sally snorted. “The only place the money will go is into Duke’s pocket.”

“That may be,” said Charlie, “but a chance to get a special shark’s tooth is too good to pass up.”

“We’ll soon find out,” said Encyclopedia, “one way or the other.”

Duke was making his pitch down at the dock by the marina. A crowd of young boys and girls listened to what he had to say.

“Glad to see so many of you believe in me,” he began, “because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That doesn’t come around very often.” He glanced at Encyclopedia and Sally. “I’m sure there are a few doubters here, too. They’re welcome. Who knows, maybe they’ll see the error of their ways.”

Sally folded her arms.

“So let me explain,” Duke went on. “My uncle is a deep-sea fisherman. It’s cold, back-breaking work, but he loves it. It’s a life of adventure and surprises.”

“I wonder if he isn’t really a pirate,” Sally whispered.

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