Free Encyclopedia Brown and Dead Eagles by Donald J. Sobol Page A

the shooting, a scoutmaster noticed Mike Bailey standing on this path,” said Encyclopedia. “Mike carried a rifle.”
    “The scoutmaster could have been mistaken,” said Charlie. “It was dark.”
    “No, there was enough light,” replied Encyclopedia. “The moon was full.”
    Charlie scratched his head. “I wonder about that new nest,” he said softly. He walked to the cliff and inched his way up. After a hard struggle, he got his chin above the nest.
    “There are two eggs inside,” he called down.
    The news made finding the mysterious hunter more important than ever. The eagle lying near the path was male. The shot that killed him probably had frightened off his mate. Once she recovered, she would return to hatch the eggs.
    “We’ve got to find the hunter before he shoots the mother eagle, too,” said Encyclopedia.
    The boys had only one lead—Mike Bailey. He was sixteen and rode a motorcycle. It was dark when they found him at campsite 32.
    He had pitched his tent and was reading a hot-rod magazine by the light of the kerosine lamp. Encyclopedia made out a green motorcycle behind the tent. A rifle lay against the black leather seat.
    “Going hunting tonight? ” inquired Encyclopedia.
    “Naw, I just keep the gun handy,” said Mike. “I might see a rattlesnake.”
    “I don’t like guns,” said Charlie. “Hunting is cruel unless you need food. And killing wildlife for fun is like murder.”
    “Oh,” said Mike. “You’re one of those mouthy kids who believes guns should be outlawed.”
    “I believe we should have better laws to control guns,” said Charlie.
    “A gun doesn’t shoot by itself,” replied Mike sharply. “A gun does what its owner makes it do. Don’t control guns, kid. Cure the bad owners.”
    “You can say the same nonsense about automobiles,” said Encyclopedia.
    Mike stiffened. “Nonsense? Just what do you mean?”
    “An automobile does what its owner makes it do,” said Encyclopedia. “So while you’re curing bad owners, get rid of all automobile laws—speed limits, traffic signals, drivers’ tests, fines, and jail terms.”
    “Move on, wise guy,” growled Mike.
    Encyclopedia stood his ground. “A golden eagle was shot in the clearing by the cliff less than an hour ago,” he said. “If you shot it, your rifle will still smell of powder.”
    “Take one step nearer my rifle and I’ll break your leg,” warned Mike.
    “Last year two eagles were shot in the same clearing,” said Charlie. “A scoutmaster saw you studying their nest earlier that night.”
    “So I heard,” said Mike. “I was out walking —and I had my gun along in case I saw rattle-snakes. I stopped to admire the full moon, which was right above the cliff. I didn’t notice the nest, and I didn’t shoot any eagles!”
    “You can’t help where the moon is,” said Encyclopedia. “But you can help lying!”
    WHAT WAS MIKE’S LIE?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (Turn to page 87 for the solution to The Case of the Dead Eagles.)

The Case of the Hypnotism Lesson
    Throughout the year, Encyclopedia helped his father solve crimes at the dinner table. When school let out for the summer, he decided to help the children of the neighborhood as well.
    So he opened his own detective agency in the garage.
    Every morning after breakfast he hung out his sign.
    Business was slow on Thursday until Dave Foster walked in. Dave was seven and full of questions.
    “How do you tell a boy lobster from a girl lobster?” he asked.
    “The girl lobster has a longer tail,” replied the boy detective.
    The answer wasn’t worth twenty-five cents. Encyclopedia waited for more questions.
    Instead, Dave said, “I think Bugs Meany cheated me.”
    “If I know Bugs, he did,” said Encyclopedia confidently.
    Bugs Meany was the leader of a neighborhood gang of tough older boys. They called themselves the Tigers. They should have called themselves the Mountaineers. They were never on the