Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch by Donald J. Sobol Page A

to win the bet and your bat. So do I! Let’s go see Bugs.”
    Bugs Meany was the leader of the Tigers, a gang of older boys who caused more trouble than itching powder in Friday’s wash. Since setting up as a detective, Encyclopedia had stopped many of Bug’s shady deals.
    The Tigers’ clubhouse was a tool shed behind Mr. Sweeny’s Auto Body Shop. When Encyclopedia and Speedy arrived, Bugs was leading a discussion on how to beat the bubble gum machines around town.
    The Tigers’ leader broke off to greet Encyclopedia. “Get lost,” he said.
    “Not until I have a chance to see the letter and check from Spike Browning,” said Encyclopedia.
    Bugs opened a cigar box and passed Encyclo-pedia a check and a letter. Encyclopedia read the letter.

    Bugs grinned as Encyclopedia read the letter.
     
    Yankee Stadium, New York
June 31
     
    Dear Bugs:
    Your cross-eyed pitch is the greatest thing since the spitball. I expect to win thirty games with it this season.
    For sole rights to the secret of it, I’m happy to enclose my check for one hundred dollars.
    Yours truly,
     

Spike Browning
     
    The letter was written on plain white paper. The check, bearing the same date as the letter, was drawn on the First National Bank for one hundred dollars.
    “Spike will win fifty games this season,” said Bugs. “And I won one baseball bat from Speedy Flanagan. So where is it?”
    “Where’s your bat?” corrected Encyclopedia. “Speedy won the bet. You lost. The letter and check are fakes.”
    “I ought to shove those words down your throat,” said Bugs. “But I’m feeling too good about what I did for the great American game of baseball.”
    Bugs crossed his eyes. Humming to himself, he went into his secret throwing motion. The other Tigers cheered wildly.
    “Man, oh man!” sang Bugs. “I invented the greatest pitch since Edison threw out the gas lamp. No smart-aleck private detective is going to walk in here and call me a liar!”
    “Oh, yes I am,” said Encyclopedia. “Spike Browning never wrote that letter. That check is a worthless piece of paper!”
    WHAT MADE ENCYCLOPEDIA
SO CERTAIN?
     
     
    (See the section SOLUTIONS for the solution to The Case of the Secret Pitch.)

The Case of the Balloon Man
    “Leroy!” Mrs. Brown called. “Leroy, it’s time for dinner. Wash up, please.”
    Encyclopedia put down the book he was reading, Six Ways to Reach the Moon on a Budget. In the bathroom he gave his face a lick and a promise.
    When he got to the table, his father looked at him in a strange way.
    “Do you know Bobby Tyler?” Chief Brown asked his only child.
    “Sure,” said Encyclopedia. “He was in my homeroom last year. Did anything happen to him, Dad?”
    “He’s missing,” said Chief Brown.
    “You mean he ran away from home?”
    Chief Brown shook his head.
    Encyclopedia gasped. Mrs. Brown stopped in the kitchen doorway, her eyes opened wide.
    “Kidnapped?” mother and son asked together.
    “It looks that way,” answered Chief Brown.
    “Do you know who took Bobby?” asked Mrs. Brown.
    “Yes, Izzy the balloon man.”
    “Izzy?” cried Encyclopedia. “No, Dad. Izzy couldn’t do anything so terrible!”
    “What do you know about Izzy?” asked Chief Brown gently. “Do you know what kind of man he really is? Do you even know where he lives?”
    “I know he loves children,” insisted Encyclopedia. “Otherwise he wouldn’t do what he does for a living.”
    “He has an old truck and sells ice cream, candy, and soda, mostly to children,” Chief Brown explained to his wife.
    “Why is he called the balloon man?” she asked.
    “If you buy more than fifteen cents worth of candy or anything, he gives you a green and pink balloon free,” answered Encyclopedia.
    “I guess Izzy got tired of blowing up balloons,” said Chief Brown quietly. “Bobby’s father is wealthy. So Izzy—”
    “I don’t believe it!” exclaimed Encyclopedia. “You ought to see Izzy stick the end of a balloon in his mouth