Secret Agents Four

Book excerpt: Little did Ken and his buddies-Orv, Horseshoes, and Bo-know just how exciting their summer was to be. Instead of perfecting a few of Orv's earthshaking inventions (some of which even worked, sometimes), who would have pictured their joining forces with the good guys, Mongoose, in a heroic attempt to foil Cobra's latest nefarious plot? It is not long before V.A.C.U.U.M. (Volunteer Agents Crusading Unsteadily Under Mongoose) is officially born. Add one "Beautiful Assistant Gangbuster," Mary Evans (full title, V.A.C.U.U.M. B.A.G.), a modest fleet of vintage cars and a World War I De Havilland and the fun is about to begin. Donald J. Sobol, author of the popular Encyclopedia Brown books, tickles his reader's curiosity (and funny bone) in this hilarious tale of friendship, ingenuity, and smashing achievement.