Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme (6 page)

Solution to
The Case of Lovely Lana

Earl had Ginger buy Lovely Lana. He feared someone else might buy it who knew how to care for a pet fish and might beat his Prince in the Pet Fish Club Show.

The vase he gave her had a small opening at the top. He said it would prevent Lovely Lana from jumping out. True, but it would also kill her. It cut down the amount of oxygen in the air from getting to the water. Fish need oxygen to live.

Earl believed Lovely Lana would die in the same amount of time his two killifish had died from lack of oxygen. She'd be dead before the show. A dead fish, he thought, would not be permitted in the show. He goofed.

Lovely Lana died during the show. According to the rule, it could still compete.