Free The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie Page A

big arm-waving freak in case his theory sounded stupid out loud.
    â€œAnd look at this here.” He pointed to the music at the base of the statue.

    â€œThis music down here?” he said, carefully controlling his voice so he didn’t start laughing maniacally. “What does Homer have to do with music? Nothing, right?”
    â€œRight.” Laurie nodded. At least, the encyclopedia at the library hadn’t mentioned anything.
    Bud gave her a significant look. “Sooo?”
    Laurie gasped. “Oh, my gosh. So you think …”
    Bud nodded. “I think it’s a clue! It doesn’t fit with Homer, right? So if it doesn’t fit with him, it must fit with the next clue!”
    â€œYou’re right! You’re right! That must be it!” Laurie squealed, jumping up and down. Laurie didn’t mind being an arm-waving freak. Bud was right—that music didn’t make any sense otherwise. And if it turned out they were wrong, the music wouldn’t lead them anywhere and they’d figure it out soon enough. “Maybe it’s another title clue. Or do you think the notes spell something? Can you read music?”
    Bud made a face. “Not really. Sort of. A little. But we should copy this down. That way we don’t have to stand around here forever, attracting attention.”
    Laurie looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
    Bud jerked his head the side. The bearded Keats enthusiast—who, a little research had revealed, was called Mr. Sanchez—was standing in the doorway of his classroom, smiling over at them.
    â€œOh, crud,” Laurie said. She pulled out a notebook and fumbled for a pencil. “This is going to take forever too, making the little lines for the notes and all? He’s going to come over here, isn’t he?”
    Bud shook his head. “Forget that. It’ll be easier on sheet music paper. I know where they have some. I’ll make a copy.”
    Laurie nodded gratefully, held her notebook up to shield her face, and raced down the hallway like she was a celebrity avoiding paparazzi. Mr. Sanchez was totally fooled. At least he didn’t come chasing after Laurie, so same difference, as far as she was concerned.
    Bud reached out and touched the notes on the base of the bust. He hadn’t felt this good in a long time. Smiling to himself, he hurried after her.
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    Ways to Elude a Persistent and Overeager English Teacher
by Laurie Madison, grade six
    1. NEVER make eye contact.
    2. Feign illness (vomiting on cue—always a winner).
    3. Make excuses and back away slowly.
    4. Agree to anything and never return to the scene.
    5. Run for your life.
    6. Feign death (only in extreme circumstances).
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    Boneheaded Statement of the Day
by Bud Wallace
    â€œMusic paper? No problem! I know where to get that.”
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    Bud stood at the end of the music hall, biting his lip. He didn’t know why he’d said he knew where to find music paper. Sure, it was true, but the last place he wanted to go was the music hall.
    The teacher he’d seen earlier was standing outside her classroom talking to another teacher. She wasn’t acting like she’d spotted him, but Bud knew she knew he was there. She was just waiting for him, he could tell.
    Pete Simkins slammed into Bud from behind and pushed past him without a word. Bud sighed. Forget the music paper. It wasn’t worth the risk, and standing around was just making things worse. Besides, drawing his own wasn’t that big a deal.
    Bud turned to go and promptly slammed into Calliope Judkin.
    â€œOh, hey, Bud. I didn’t know you took music.” Calliope smiled.
    Bud raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t expected Calliope to stop and talk to him, let alone smile. He’d pretty much stopped expecting people to talk to him last year, when it became obvious that even the black-market Skittles supply had been cut off for good.
    â€œYeah, I don’t,” Bud