The Crook Who Took the Book Read Online Free Page A

bit her lip. Well, that’s one suspect down the drain, she thought. But if Andydidn’t steal Foul-up at the Floss Factory , who did?
    â€œSo, Nancy,” Mrs. Goldstein said, turning to her with a kind smile. “Were you wondering about great books, too?”
    Nancy gasped. Mrs. Goldstein’s words had reminded her of something Anderson Quilling had said the day before: “I’m trying to be a writer myself. Maybe someday I’ll have a book published.” And he had looked really sad. Anderson dreamed of being an author just like Mr. Sandback.
    Maybe, Nancy thought, Anderson is jealous of Mr. Sandback.
    â€œUm, maybe I’ll come back another day, Mrs. Goldstein,” Nancy told the librarian.
    Then Nancy opened her clue notebook. She crossed out Andy’s name and wrote in: “Anderson Quilling—angry author?”
    As she wrote it, Nancy felt bad. Anderson was really nice. She hated to think he had taken the book.
    One thing’s for sure, she thought. I need proof. And that means going back to the Book Nook with Bess and George!

5
The Book Man in the Basement
    J ust as Nancy closed her clue notebook, the bell rang. She hurried out of the library and headed to the cafeteria. She couldn’t wait to tell Bess and George about Andy . . . and Anderson.
    When Nancy arrived, Bess and George were already eating their lunches.
    â€œI brought your lunch for you, Nancy,” George said. She passed Nancy’s pink-and-purple lunch sack across the table.
    â€œThanks,” Nancy said. She opened her lunch and pulled out a tuna sandwich.
    â€œSo, what happened at the library?” Bess asked.
    As she unwrapped her sandwich, Nancy told George and Bess everything that had happened with Andy and Mrs. Goldstein.
    â€œYou’re right,” George said when Nancy had finished her story. “It doesn’t sound like Andy would steal Mr. Sandback’s book.”
    â€œSo now we’re back to having no suspects,” Bess wailed. She took a big bite of her peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.
    â€œWell,” Nancy started to say, “actually—”
    â€œYah!” Mike Minelli yelled. He plopped down on the bench next to Nancy. He waved his forearm in front of her face. There was an angry red scratch running across it.
    â€œEwww, gross, Mike!” Nancy squealed.
    â€œYeah!” Mike agreed. But Nancy knew that to him, gross was a good thing. “Charlie the cat gave it to me at the Book Nook yesterday. That’s one mean cat!”
    â€œHe’s not mean,” Bess said. “He just doesn’t like people to bother him when he’s in his bed.”
    Nancy gasped.
    â€œWhat is it, Nancy?” George asked. Mikehad already jumped up to go wave his icky scratch in someone else’s face.
    â€œI just thought of something,” Nancy said. “Bess, George, I think we may have two new suspects. But we need more clues. Which means we have to head back to the Book Nook after school!”
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    Since they already had permission, Nancy, Bess, and George headed to the Book Nook as soon as the last bell rang. When they walked through the door, they saw Julia sitting at the front desk.
    â€œWell, hello, girls,” she said. “Back so soon?”
    â€œWe’re here to help solve the mystery of the missing book,” Nancy said. “Unless the book’s been found already.”
    Julia’s face fell. “No, I’m sorry to say there’s been no sign of the book,” she said. “What a disappointment. I so wanted my father to have it.”
    â€œWell, Julia,” Nancy said, “I have a hunch. And if I’m right, that book is right under your nose!”
    â€œWhat?” Julia said. She sounded surprised.
    â€œWell, actually,” Nancy said with a giggle, “it’s right under Charlie the cat.” She pointed at Charlie, who was curled up in his plaid bed,