The Case of the Lucky Catch

Encyclopedia and some of the gang were on their way to a picnic. Ace Harvey, a retired major-league baseball player, invited all of Idaville’s Little League teams to his estate near the beach.

Encyclopedia, Pinky Plummer, Billy and Jody Turner, Herb Stein, Charlie Stewart, and Sally Kimball took the number nine bus. They carried baseballs, gloves, and bats that they hoped Mr. Harvey would autograph.

“Do you think we’ll get to see the baseball?” Pinky asked.

No one had to ask what baseball. Ace Harvey had made the most famous catch in baseball history. He made the game-winning catch in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series. Not only did his team win the game, they became world champions with just one catch.

After the game, he had every single one of his teammates sign his lucky ball. Mr. Harvey had been offered thousands of dollars for his baseball, but he refused to sell.

“I hope we do get to see the ball,” Billy Turner said. “I’d love to hold it in my hand for just one second. Do you think it would bring me good luck?”

Everyone knew that Billy’s team had lost a big game when Billy dropped a high fly. Ever since, he didn’t seem to be able to catch a ball. He even dropped the ball when he was pitching! He was in a real slump.

“You need more than luck,” Jody teased. “You need a new sport.”

Sally shushed Jody with a look, then turned to Billy. “I hear he keeps the ball locked up in a glass case,” she said. “But maybe just looking at it will break you out of your slump.”

“Then I’ll look at it until my eyes hurt,” Billy said, ignoring his twin.

The bus stopped on Mr. Harvey’s corner and the children got off. The friends were suddenly shy when they got a look at Ace Harvey’s mansion. It was one of the biggest in Idaville. Then Encyclopedia rang the doorbell. It played Take Me Out to the Ball Game, and they all relaxed.

A maid answered and led Encyclopedia and his pals through a center hall toward the backyard. On the way, they passed the glass case. A spotlight shone on the game-winning baseball. The ball turned on its pedestal so that they could see every autograph. Billy stared at it without blinking.

Then the friends were led to the back door. Ace Harvey shook hands with everyone and signed their balls, bats, and gloves. He waved them into the backyard, which was already filled with kids playing catch on the baseball diamond, splashing in the pool, or eating as many hot dogs and hamburgers as they could fit in their stomachs.

Mr. Harvey had hired a baseball coach, lifeguards, barbecue chefs, and even a games director to make sure everyone had a good time.

Billy flopped in the grass next to Encyclopedia and Sally. The detectives had just won a three-legged race.

“I can’t get my mind off Ace Harvey’s baseball,” Billy said. “Do you think if I asked as a special favor he’d let me hold it?”

Encyclopedia looked at his friend. Billy had dropped his egg in the egg-carrying contest and there was dried yolk all over his shirt. “You can ask,” Encyclopedia said. “But holding someone else’s baseball won’t break your slump. All you need to get your confidence back is one good catch.”

“Catch?” Billy groaned. “I can’t catch my reflection in the mirror.” He got to his feet. “I’m going to go and stare at the ball some more.”

Encyclopedia entered the relay race with Pinky and Charlie, and he forgot all about Billy until he saw two police cars pull into Ace Harvey’s driveway. His father waved and then headed into the house.

Encyclopedia went inside to see what was up. Mr. Harvey had a tight grip on Billy’s left arm and was talking to Chief Brown.

The baseball case was broken. A few bits of glass lay scattered on the pedestal, and the baseball was nowhere to be seen.

Three officers were searching the rooms on the first floor.

Billy’s eyes darted from Chief Brown to Mr. Harvey and back again. He held his right hand in front of him, palm up. It was bleeding. He tried not to let it drip on Mr. Harvey’s floor.

“I found this hooligan in front of the case. The glass was broken and my baseball is gone.” Mr. Harvey said. “He won’t tell me where he hid it, so I called you.”

“I didn’t take it,” Billy moaned. “I just came in to look at it again, and it was gone. There was glass everywhere. I cut my hand, and then Mr. Harvey came in and started yelling.”

Encyclopedia heard a gasp behind him. Other kids from the picnic had followed him into the house.

“He kept saying he wanted to hold that ball,” Charlie muttered.

“Billy, you didn’t…” Sally said.

“You can’t trust any friends of brainhead Brown,” Bugs Meany shouted. “Give up the ball, Billy. Tell the cops where it is.”

“But I didn’t steal it,” Billy said again.

Chief Brown asked Officer Lopez to take Billy into the bathroom for some first aid. The other officers led the kids back outside.

“Can I stay, Dad?” Encyclopedia asked.

His father nodded. “Do you have any information that might help us, Leroy?”

“I know Billy was in a slump,” Encyclopedia said. “But I don’t believe he’d try to steal Mr. Harvey’s baseball.”

“Well that’s exactly what he did,” Mr. Harvey insisted. “I found him standing in front of the case with a bleeding hand.” Mr. Harvey shook his head. “He must have hidden the baseball with a plan to come back for it later.

“It’s a good thing I just insured that baseball,” Mr. Harvey continued. “It’s worth thousands of dollars.”

“It looks bad for your friend, Leroy,” Chief Brown said. “Do you think you can get him to tell you where he hid the baseball?”

Encyclopedia looked into the case again. There were pieces of glass all over the bottom and on the pedestal that had held the baseball just this morning. “Can I ask a question first?”

His father nodded.

Encyclopedia turned to Mr. Harvey. “How many people have keys to the case?” he asked.

“I have the only key,” Mr. Harvey answered.

“I unlock the case for the maid when the glass needs cleaning.”

“There’s no need to question Billy, Dad,” Encyclopedia said. “Mr. Harvey is the only one that can tell us where the ball is hidden.”

 

HOW DID ENCYCLOPEDIA KNOW?

 

(Click here for the solution to “The Case of the Lucky Catch.”)