Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All Read Online Free Page B

three inches taller, I’d have been a goner,” he said. “And if the arrow didn’t get me, this diamond would have knocked me silly for a month.”
    From his pocket Tyrone pulled out a diamond. It was the biggest diamond Encyclopedia had ever seen.
    “The diamond was tied to the arrow,” said Tyrone. “The perfect gift for Ruth! See what I mean about Cupid?”
    “You’d better show me where you were sitting,” said Encyclopedia.
    “I was sitting under one of Mr. Crane’s trees,” said Tyrone.
    Mr. Crane was one of the richest men in Idaville. As the two boys came within sight of his big house, Tyrone stopped cold. “Police!” he yelped.
    Three police cars were parked near the house. Policemen were walking about, searching the grounds.
    “I don’t want to get mixed up with the police,” Tyrone said. “I’m really not a lover at heart—I’m a coward.” He shoved the arrow and the diamond into Encyclopedia’s hands and fled.
    The next instant Encyclopedia heard his father calling.
    “I’m glad to see you, Leroy,” Chief Brown said quietly. “We’ve got a bit of a mystery here.”
    Then he told Encyclopedia about the events of the morning at Mr. Crane’s house.
    Mr. Crane owned the Greenwood Diamond, one of the largest and most valuable diamonds in the world. About an hour ago he had been alone in the house. He heard someone force open a window.
    Fearing a thief, Mr. Crane raced to his study. He removed the diamond from its glass showcase. Then he took down a bow and arrow which hung on the wall. He tied the diamond to the arrow and ran to the back staircase.
    Halfway up the narrow flight of stairs was a landing with a window. Mr. Crane opened the window, fitted the arrow to the bow, and waited.
    Soon a masked man appeared at the bottom of the staircase. He realized how Mr. Crane intended to keep the diamond from him. He ran up the stairs, but he was too late. Mr. Crane had already fired the arrow with the diamond out the window.
    Enraged, the masked man beat Mr. Crane with his fists before escaping.
    “Mr. Crane is in the hospital. Luckily, he’s not seriously hurt,” said Chief Brown. “He thinks the thief may have been Mr. Holt. For two years, Mr. Holt has tried to buy the diamond, and recently he has become ugly and threatening.”
    “Have you questioned Mr. Holt?” asked Encyclopedia.
    “Not yet—I’m having him picked up and brought here,” replied Chief Brown. “The trou ble is that the thief—Mr. Holt or whoever he was—found the diamond.“

    Encyclopedia brought the arrow and the diamond from behind his back.
    “No he didn’t,” said Encyclopedia. “Tyrone Taylor found it.” He brought the arrow and the diamond from behind his back and explained about Tyrone.
    Then he said, “If Mr. Holt was the masked man, I think I have a plan to trap him.”
    Encyclopedia unfolded his plan as Chief Brown put the arrow and diamond in his patrol car. Father and son were standing at the bottom of the narrow back staircase when Mr. Holt was brought in by Officer Parks.
    “What’s the meaning of this?” demanded Mr. Holt.
    Chief Brown said, “Mr. Crane was beaten up this morning by a masked man. His Greenwood Diamond is missing. Were you in this house this morning?”
    “No!” retorted Mr. Holt. “And I have no idea what this is all about. But if the diamond is missing, find it. I want to buy it!”
    Chief Brown stared at the narrow staircase. “The diamond won’t be hard to find,” he said. “It’s only an arrow flight away.”
    “Then what are you standing there for?” shouted Mr. Holt. “Go outside and hunt for it!”
    “Put him under arrest,” Chief Brown snapped to Officer Parks.
    After Mr. Holt was dragged away, Chief Brown said, “Your plan worked fine, Leroy.”
    HOW HAD ENCYCLOPEDIA TRAPPED MR. HOLT?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (Turn to page 93 for the solution to the Case of Cupid’s Arrow.)

The Case of the Wounded Dog
    When Encyclopedia solved a