Free Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues by Donald J. Sobol Page B

into the Brown Detective Agency. He laid a quarter on the gasoline can beside Encyclopedia.
    “I want you to find my pillow,” said Danny. “It’s missing.”
    “I’ve seen a match box and a boardwalk, but I’ve never had to solve a pillowcase,” said Encyclopedia thoughtfully.
    “My pillow doesn’t have a case,” said Danny. “It’s made of rubber. I blow it up on camping trips.”
    “Hmm,” said Encyclopedia. “It gave you the air. When?”
    “Half an hour ago,” said Danny. “I think Bugs Meany stole it.”
    “Bugs?” Immediately Encyclopedia became serious.
    Bugs Meany was the leader of the Tigers, a gang of older boys who caused more trouble than woodpeckers around a Maypole.
    “I’ll take the case,” said Encyclopedia. “Let’s have the facts.
    “Early this morning,” said Danny, “Dad and I were painting the wood on the front of our house—the three front steps, the porch railing and posts, and the front door. We painted everything white.”
    “Where was the rubber pillow?” asked Encyclopedia.
    “It was hanging on the clothesline at the side of the house,” said Danny. “After we finished painting, Dad went in the back to clean the brushes. I saw Bugs running away from the clothesline. He was carrying the pillow.”
    “Did your father see him, too?”
    “No, worse luck,” said Danny. “It will be my word against Bugs’s.”
    Encyclopedia closed his eyes. For several minutes he did some deep thinking.
    Then he said, “We’ve got to trap Bugs. We’ve got to catch him in a lie!”
    “It won’t be easy,” said Danny. “He’s smart enough to be the leader of the Tigers.”
    “That’s not saying much,” replied Encyclopedia. “Why, half of them have been left back so often they ought to start a football team. They could call themselves the Left Halfbacks. Come on.”
    The two boys rode their bikes to the Tigers’ clubhouse, an unused tool shed behind Mr. Sweeny’s Auto Body Shop.
    Bugs was alone. He was practicing drawing aces from the bottom of a deck of cards.
    “Scram,” he said.
    “I will when you return my client’s pillow,” said Encyclopedia.
    “You stole my rubber pillow from the clothesline at my house half an hour ago,” said Danny.
    “Rubber pillow? Man, has this kid’s mouth heard from his brain lately?” growled Bugs. “I’ve never been near his house in my life.”
    “Why don’t you tell that to Danny’s father?” said Encyclopedia. “He was behind the house. He must have seen you steal the pillow.”
    Bugs nearly swallowed the blade of grass he was chewing. He recovered himself and said, “I’ve been right here all morning.”
    “Then you wouldn’t mind going with us to Danny’s house,” said Encyclopedia. “You’re going to have to speak with his father sooner or later.”
    “W-well, ahh, okay,” mumbled Bugs. “But you lead the way. Remember, I don’t even know where he lives.”
    Outside, Danny whispered, “My father went off fishing. My mother is at Grandma’s. There’s nobody at home.”
    “Don’t worry,” said Encyclopedia. “Bugs is far too cocky. He’ll make a mistake.”
    The three boys rode over to Danny’s house. It was a green stucco house with a white wood porch, door, and front steps.
    “Go up and ring the doorbell,” Encyclopedia dared Bugs.
    Bugs kicked down the stand of his bike. He looked at Danny’s house. He looked at Danny. He seemed to be getting up courage.
    Suddenly the older boy made up his mind.
    “Watch my style,” he said.
    He ran across the lawn and leaped over the three white wood steps. His heel struck the slate floor of the porch. He skidded but righted himself without having to grab the railing. He looked back at Danny and Encyclopedia and grinned cockily.
    When he got no answer to the doorbell, Bugs walked a step to the window that faced onto the porch. He rapped on the glass.
    “There’s nobody home,” he yelled to Encyclopedia. He left the porch, again jumping over the three