The Crook Who Took the Book by Carolyn Keene Page B

inspired him to write Foul-up at the Floss Factory. ”
    â€œWell,” Andy said, “it’s still a book. And if it’s a book, I don’t like it.”

2
Seeing Mr. Sandback
    H urry, Daddy,” Nancy said, tugging at her father’s hand. It was Sunday morning. Carson and Nancy Drew were walking to the Book Nook with Bess, Mrs. Marvin, and George.
    â€œI don’t want to be late to see Mr. Sandback,” Nancy said.
    â€œIt’s only eleven,” Mr. Drew said, “and Mr. Sandback doesn’t begin until noon. So, I think we’re safe, Pudding Pie.” That was one of Mr. Drew’s pet names for Nancy. He tousled her reddish blond hair as he teased her.
    â€œSorry,” Nancy said with a giggle. “I’mjust so excited to meet Mr. Sandback.”
    â€œI wonder what he’s like,” George said.
    â€œWell, we’ll find out soon,” Mrs. Marvin announced as they reached the end of Drake Street. “Here we are!”
    The girls gazed up at the Book Nook. It was in a house that was three stories high and painted several shades of blue. On the front porch were comfy wicker chairs and lots of flowering plants.
    â€œI love coming to the Book Nook.” Nancy sighed happily.
    George pushed open the front door. It had a tinkling bell on the doorknob. “I like to pretend that all those skinny aisles between the bookshelves are secret passageways,” she said.
    â€œI’m going to say hi to Charlie,” Bess called. She ran over to the store’s front desk and peeked behind it.
    Nancy followed her and took a peek, too. There was Charlie—a fat, fluffy, white cat with green eyes. As always, he was curled up on a plaid cat bed, looking grouchy.
    Bess dropped to her knees. “He’s so soooft,” she cooed, stroking Charlie’s thick fur.
    â€œMrowr! Ssssss,” Charlie complained. Then he swiped at Bess with his claws.
    â€œEeek!” Bess cried, jumping backward.
    â€œI don’t know why you like that cat so much,” George said. “He always tries to scratch you.”
    â€œAnd he never gets off that bed,” Nancy said, “so you can’t really play with him.”
    â€œSsssss,” Charlie hissed, squinting his green eyes at Bess.
    â€œUm, maybe we should leave Charlie alone now,” Nancy said. She grabbed Bess’s arm to steer her away from the grumpy cat. Then she stopped in her tracks.
    â€œHey, the Book Nook is all changed around!” she exclaimed.
    Usually bookshelves filled the first floor. Now a lot of them had been moved aside. In the center of the room stood a big wooden table stacked high with copies of Morton Sandback’s latest book.
    Facing the table were rows of folding chairs. A few people had already settled into their seats. Nancy saw that some of them were her classmates. Mrs. Goldstein, the school librarian, was there too.
    â€œWhy don’t Mrs. Marvin and I save us some seats,” Mr. Drew said. “You girls can look around. Just be back down here in a few minutes.”
    â€œThanks, Daddy,” Nancy said. Then she turned to Bess and George. “Let’s go!”
    The girls headed for the stairs. The second floor of the store had rooms for unusual old books. There was also a room for kids. It had books and music as well as stuffed animals and toys.
    â€œLet’s check out the stuffed animals,” Bess said as they clomped up the steps.
    â€œI think we should go to that dark room at the end of the hall,” George said. “You know, the one with all the history books. That’s the spookiest.”
    â€œOoh, no!” Bess exclaimed as they reached the top of the stairs. “Too scary.”
    â€œCome on,” George called. She dashed down the long, narrow hallway. “It’ll be fun. We can play hide-and-seek.” She headed into the last doorway on the left.
    â€œReady or not, here I come,” Nancy called. She