The Case Of The Civil War Sword

THE CASE OF THE CIVIL WAR SWORD
A BOY WITH RED HAIR STOPPED IN THE DOORWAY OOF THE BROWN DETECTIVE AGENCY.
“ARE YOU ANY GOOD AT SWORDS?” HE ASKED. Encyclopedia did not lift his eyes from his book,how to build a nuclear reactor. “what kind of a game is swords?” he asked.
“it isn´t game,” said the red-haired boy. “My name is Peter Clinton. I want to hire you.”
Peter put two dimes and a nickelon the gasoline can beside Encyclopedia.
The coins clinked. Encyclopedia stopped reading. He looked up, very businesslike.
“How can I help you?” he asked. O have a chance to trade my bicycle for asword,” said Peter. “I want to make sure the sword is real.”
“That isn´t what I mean,” Peter said, “It´s a sword from the Civil War—“
“There are thousands of swords left over from the Civil War,”said Encyclopedia.
“I know,” said Peter. “But how many belonged to General Jackson?”
“Stonewall Jackson,” said Peter. “bugs Meany says so.”
“Bugs?” Encyclopedia straightened up at the name. “Youwant me to make sure the sword really did belong to Stonewall Jackson?”
“Yes,” said Peter. “Then you´ll take the case?”
“I´ll take it,” said Encyclopedia. “if Bugs is behind the trade, you´ll needhelp.”
Peter led the private detective to the Tigers´ clubhouse, an unused tool shed behind Mr. Sweeney´s Auto Body Shop. The Tigers were busy racing garter snakes.
Bugs made a face when he sawEncyclopedia.
“So Mr. Brains is now a Civil War know-it-all,” said the Tigers´ leader. “well, well! Maybe you can tell me what Stonewall Jackson did at the Battle of Bull Run.”
“Which battle at Bull Run?”asked Encyclopedia. “There were two- one in 1861, the other in 1862.”
“Good for you,” said Bugs, grinning. “Now don´t say this sword isn´t the real thing.”
Encyclopedia walked to the table on whichthe sword lay.
Bugs said, “this sword was given to Stonewall Jackson a month after the First Battle of Bull Run.”
“If that´s true, Peter whispered to Encyclopedia, “the sword is worth ten bikes...