The Mystery of Silas Finklebean Read Online Free

isn’t,” she agreed. “Now, what else can I help you with?”
    “We were wondering what Silas Finklebean did to make all that money,” Freddy told her. “The book says it was from one of his inventions, but it doesn’t say which one.”
    “Nobody knows which one. And while he was an inventor, I also remember that he was very lucky when it came to betting on things. It seems he never lost.” She paused and looked at them closely. “Why are you so interested in Silas Finklebean?”
    “Well,” said Freddy slowly, “my dad owns the Burger Castle.”
    She clapped her hands. “I thought I recognized you! You’re Freddy Funkhouser. You won the Founder’s Day Parade competition.”
    “That’s right.”
    “I’m so glad your family won, because, between you and me, I don’t really like the Spankers.”
    “They’re not easy to love,” said Howie, trying not to laugh.
    Freddy asked, “Uh, do you have a picture of Silas Finklebean? The one in the book doesn’t really show his face.”
    The librarian got up and returned a minute later with a small picture. She handed it to them.
    “That’s Silas Finklebean,” she said quietly.
    Freddy’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He grabbed Howie and the book and raced out, leaving the librarian looking stunned.
    As they ran down the street, Howie yelled, “What got into you?”
    Freddy looked at him. “Silas Finklebean was the guy I saw in the Burger Castle basement. The guy
floating
in midair.”

CHAPTER 5
    HAROLD J. PUMPERNICKEL
    Freddy and Howie ran from the library back to the school, where a long line of students were waiting to enroll in the science competition. As the two boys took a place at the end of the line, someone bumped Freddy hard from behind. He turned to see Adam Spanker standing there with a nasty grin.
    “Hey, Funky, don’t tell me you’re entering the science competition! It’s for people with real brains.”
    Howie yelled back, “Freddy has more brains in one of his butt cheeks than you have in your whole body.”
    Adam balled up his fists.
    “Watch it, Adam,” warned Freddy; “there’re teachers all over the place.”
    Adam stuck a big finger in Freddy’s chest. “Yeah, well, there won’t always be teachers around, Funky.” He looked past Freddy and his face brightened. “Hey, Harold.”
    A skinny boy with orange hair joined them. Harold J. Pumpernickel was the only kid in school who might possibly be smarter than Freddy Funkhouser.
    “What’s happening, Harold?” said Howie.
    Harold said shyly, “Hi, Howie. Hi, Freddy.”
    Adam grabbed Harold around the shoulders and pulled him close. “Hey, no being friends with the enemy.”
    “Are you entering the competition, Harold?” asked Freddy.
    Adam snapped,
“We’re
entering the competition, right, partner?”
    “Um, that’s right,” answered Harold quietly.
    Freddy stared at them, dumbstruck. “You’re partners?”
    “Not just partners,” announced Adam gleefully, “but we’re going to win too, aren’t we, Harold?”
    “I suppose we have as good a chance as anyone,” he said politely.
    “Oh, yeah?” said Howie in a confident tone. With all the teachers around he was feeling a lot braver than usual. “News flash — WE’RE going to win.”
    “Ha-ha,” said Adam. “That’ll be the day.”
    “We will too win,” insisted Howie.
    “Well, if you’re so sure, why don’t we make a little bet?”
    “What kind of bet?” asked Freddy nervously.
    Adam said, “If I win, Funky, you have to come to work at the Patty Cakes for a whole month, without pay, and you have to do everything I tell you to do.”
    “And if I win?” said Freddy.
    “Not a chance, but then I come to work at the Burger Dump for a whole month.”
    “It’s the Burger
Castle
” cried Freddy.
    “Whatever. So, is it a deal, Freddy the Freak?” Adam held out a huge hand.
    Freddy hesitated, eyeing Adam and then Howie, and finally Harold Pumpernickel.
    “What’s the matter? Are you