“A surprise for me?” Nancy repeated.
Erika would not tell her any more. The two girls changed their clothes; then her roommate quietly led Nancy to Rancoco’s trailer. Lolita and Pietro were there with several of their best friends. On a table were plates of sandwiches and bottles of soda.
“Oh, Nancy,” said Lolita, hugging her, “I’m so glad you came. I don’t know where to begin to tell you all that’s happened in the past few hours.” Then, looking at Pietro and taking his hand, she continued, “My foster father was so cruel to me today that I can’t stand another minute of it. Pietro and I are eloping!”
Nancy stared, dumfounded. Then she said, “Oh, you mustn’t do that!”
A hush came over the group and Nancy realized that she had thrown a damper on the gay party.
“I don’t want to seem preachy,” she said. “I’d better explain what I mean.”
Quickly Nancy told them that during the day she had found out several things in connection with Lolita, her parents, and her foster parents. She felt it would be disastrous for the aerialist to leave at this time.
“I hate to say this,” Nancy went on, “but I think Lolita, and you too, Pietro, had better stay here and watch Mr. Kroon.”
Everyone in the trailer gasped. What did Nancy mean?
“I can’t give you all the details,” she said. “My father is going to help me. But I’ll tell you this: Lolita’s own mother may still be alive. And there may be some fraud in connection with money that rightfully belongs to her or Lolita. I suspect Mr. Kroon is back of it all.”
Pietro came over to Nancy. He said it was he who had talked Lolita into eloping. It was impossible for him to stand by any longer and watch Kroon treat his foster daughter so cruelly.
“All he’s interested in is the money her performances bring,” the clown said angrily. “We could easily get jobs in another circus. Nancy, you are the one to solve the mystery. We know nothing about such things. Couldn’t you find out just as much about Mr. Kroon if we weren’t here?”
Nancy smiled. “I’m afraid,” she said, “that if you two should leave, Kroon would become very suspicious. He might even blame me for your going away.
“I have a strong hunch that I may not fool him much longer. If he finds out I’m meddling in his affairs, he’ll dismiss me at once. If that happens, I’ll certainly need you here, Lolita, to help me.”
Pietro threw up his hands in a gesture of resignation. “You’ve convinced me, Nancy,” he said. Turning to Lolita, he added, “In that case, sweetheart, I’m afraid our wedding will have to be postponed.”
“I guess it is the wise thing to do,” the dainty aerialist said. “I’d much rather wait and have a happy wedding.”
She thanked Nancy for persuading them to delay their plans. Then she suggested that they all eat the delicious food Rancoco’s wife had supplied and enjoy the party anyway.
Early the next morning Nancy was surprised by a visit from her father. As Mr. Drew seated himself in her tent, the lawyer said he had had a hard time getting past the guard at the gate, but after he had shown the guard a permit from the local police chief, the man had let him in.
“I have a lot of news for you,” he told Nancy. “I thought it best not to give you such confidential information over the telephone.”
Nancy listened intently as her father spoke. That morning River Heights Police Chief McGinnis had called and asked Mr. Drew to come down to the jail at once.
“Hitch finally made a confession,” the lawyer stated. “This is the story in brief: One time while he was working with Sims’ Circus, Hitch overheard Kroon accuse his wife of a kidnapping. For nearly a year the groom had blackmailed the ringmaster because of what he had heard. Then, apparently Kroon would not stand for the extortion any longer, and Hitch was thrown out.
“I’m inclined to think,” Mr. Drew summarized, “that Kroon also had something on Hitch and this was the reason why the stableman never told the story before. Well, when Hitch heard that Sims’ Circus was coming to River Heights, he decided to try to get back into Kroon’s good graces.”
As the lawyer paused, Nancy remarked, “But he wasn’t able to do it?”
Her father smiled. “This will be a surprise to you. Kroon wouldn’t let Hitch back into the circus, but he did carry on an intrigue with him—against you!”
“Me?” Nancy cried.
Mr. Drew nodded. He said that Hitch knew about the bracelet with the horse charms, although he had not admitted it to Nancy. Hitch had understood that it once belonged to Lolita’s mother. When he found out Nancy had it, Hitch had a good talking point with Kroon.
“He told the ringmaster what he knew and received a tidy little sum for his information. Apparently Hitch was also given the job of trying to discourage you from proceeding with your investigation. So he figured out that he would strangle you enough to give you a good scare!”
“But why did he harm poor Rosa?” Nancy asked.
Her father said that Hitch had done it in a fit of jealous rage. The stableman hated all equestrian performers because he had never succeeded in becoming a good one himself.
“And what about Senor Roberto?” Nancy questioned her father.
“Hitch insists that he had nothing to do with Roberto’s injuries,” Mr. Drew explained. “I believe he’s telling the truth. But this only complicates matters. It’s certain that Kroon didn’t do it, since he was at the circus during the incident. But it does mean that there is some unknown enemy mixed up in this whole thing. I’m inclined to think he’s not a member of the circus.”
“But a friend of Kroon’s who is helping him cheat Lolita out of her money?” Nancy asked.
Her father smiled. “I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head, Nancy. And this might pertain to something else that happened in River Heights. The night Hannah and I attended your first performance,” the lawyer said, “your lovely horse-charm bracelet was stolen!”
CHAPTER XII
A Secret Search
THE gold bracelet with the dainty little horse charms stolen!
Nancy was upset to hear this news from her father. It had been her best clue to solving the mystery of Lolita’s parents. Now she could not compare the little charms to see if the one Lolita wore was a fake.
“Don’t take it so hard,” Mr. Drew advised his daughter, seeing her deep frown. “I have asked Chief McGinnis to help. He’ll turn up something.”
Nancy told her father what the old clown Sanders had inferred about Lolita’s trinket—that it was only an imitation.
“I strongly suspect,” Nancy said, “that Kroon or Mrs. Kroon may have sold the original trinket and had a cheap substitute made.”
“No doubt,” the lawyer agreed.
“Besides wanting to solve this mystery and help Lolita,” said Nancy, “I’d just love to find the sixth horse to my bracelet.”
Her father smiled. “And I dare say,” he remarked, “that when you do, you’ll give the whole thing to Lolita Flanders for a wedding gift.”
“Not unless it rightfully belongs to her,” Nancy said. “After all, Aunt Eloise gave me the lovely gift, and it won’t be easy to part with it.”
Mr. Drew rose. “I must hurry back to River Heights, Nancy. Incidentally, Hannah and I miss you very much. We’ll be glad when your week in the circus is up.”
Nancy laughed. “If things go wrong here, I may be back sooner than that. By the way, Dad, have you had a chance to get in touch with anyone in England about Lola Flanders?”
Mr. Drew said that he had cabled a lawyer friend of his in London, but there had been no time for an answer.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything,” he promised, kissing her good-by, then leaving.
Erika came in a few moments later and at once asked what had happened to her.
“What do you mean?” Nancy asked.
“Because you look as if you’d lost your best friend.”
Nancy recounted all the news Mr. Drew had given he
r. Erika said she was glad the mystery about Hitch had been cleared up, but she had to admit that his story about the Kroons had complicated matters.
“Do you suppose Mrs. Kroon kidnapped Lolita?” she asked, her eyes opening wide.
Nancy shrugged and asked Erika to keep the matter in strictest confidence. If Kroon should find out what Hitch had told the police, there was no predicting what the ringmaster might do.
“I saw Mr. Kroon a couple of times this morning,” Erika told Nancy. “He seemed to be in worse humor than usual. Do you suppose it has anything to do with the mystery? He might even have found out that Lolita and Pietro had planned to elope and then changed their minds because of your suspicions about him.”
“It’s possible,” said Nancy. “Pietro once remarked that there was a spy in the circus who carries tales to Mr. Kroon.”
Nancy did not tell Erika another suspicion of hers—that the stolen bracelet might be at the circus. She was sure that whoever had stolen it had done so at Kroon’s request.
“I must find out,” the young sleuth told herself. “But how?”
Erika remarked that she hoped Nancy’s concern about the mystery would not affect her performance that afternoon. Nancy laughed and assured Erika that she would do her best. And she did. Later, her roommate remarked that Nancy had never done her stunt riding better.
Nancy made a point of sitting next to Lolita at supper that evening. As soon as she had an opportunity, she asked Lolita whether she had ever mentioned her bracelet to her foster parents.
“Why, yes, I did. Is something the matter?”
Nancy did not reply, but asked Lolita if she could remember when this was. The aerialist thought a few moments, then said it was sometime during the last day that the circus was in River Heights.
There was no question now in Nancy’s mind that Kroon had engineered the theft. During the rest of the meal, she kept trying to figure out how to prove it.
“I’ll bet whoever stole the bracelet brought it here to the circus,” she reasoned. “And if he did, it’s my guess that the bracelet is hidden in Mr. Kroon’s trailer.”
Later, Nancy told Dan Webster about the theft of the bracelet and why she thought it might be in Kroon’s possession. She said she wondered how she could find out whether her suspicions were correct.
“I thought perhaps I’d get in touch with the police captain,” she said. “Maybe he could make a search.”
Dan Webster agreed that this was the sensible thing to do, but it had one big drawback.
“Kroon will know at once that you instigated the search, since it’s your bracelet,” he reminded Nancy. “He’ll instantly make trouble for you, Lolita, and the other riders.”
Nancy admitted that there was merit in Dan Webster’s objections. Suddenly her eyes lighted up.
“Dan,” she said, “how would you like to play detective for me?”
“Me?” Dan Webster began to laugh. “You don’t mean you want me to make the search. I’d be sure to get caught.”
“No, not to make the search. Just lay the groundwork for me,” Nancy suggested.
Dan Webster scratched his head. “Well, keep talking. I’ll let you know my answer after I hear what you want me to do.”
“I can’t tell you now,” Nancy said hurriedly. “I see Mr. Kroon coming. I’ll meet you in your office after the show.”
The two separated, but after the performance was over, Nancy returned to Webster’s office. She said to the horse trainer in a low voice.
“This is what I’d like you to do. First, follow Mr. Kroon until he goes to his trailer. Then call on him.”
“But what excuse could I use?” Dan Webster asked.
“Oh, that’s easy,” Nancy said quickly. “Tell him that Rosa will not be able to perform by the end of the week. Ask him what he thinks about letting the new girl continue a while longer.”
“But how is this going to help you find your bracelet?” the horse trainer questioned, puzzled.
“Dan,” Nancy went on, “tell him that you’ve heard rumors of things disappearing from the circus. Watch Mr. Kroon’s face intently to see if there’s any change of expression or if the ringmaster’s eyes dart to some possible hiding place. Then tell him you’ve heard that someone is going to ask for a police search unless a valuable piece of jewelry that was stolen from her turns up.”
As Nancy gave her instructions, Dan Webster sat gazing at the floor. He shook his head several times but did not speak. Finally he looked up.
“Nancy, dear,” he said, “I want to help you as much as I can. But this is a big order. I’m afraid I’d fail. You’d better count me out and get somebody else.”
Nancy laughed softly. “Oh, it isn’t that bad, Dan,” she told him. “I’ll tell you what. Suppose I stand outside the window and watch Kroon’s actions. You pretend to know nothing about what’s going on, but try to follow the lines of conversation I suggested.”
At last, Dan Webster said he would attempt it, and the time was set for eleven thirty. Nancy thanked him and hurried off to change her clothes. When Erika saw her starting out again, she asked Nancy where she was going.
“To do some sleuthing. But don’t be worried. I’m not going to leave the circus grounds.”
Nancy hurried from the tent. Using a circuitous route to avoid as many people as possible, she went to Mr. Kroon’s trailer. She could hear voices inside distinctly.
No one was in sight. Nancy cautiously crept to the side window and stood on a box. Through the window she could see the interior and remain out of the line of vision of those within.
Dan Webster was there, talking with Lolita’s foster parents. Evidently the early part of the previously planned conversation had already taken place, because Kroon was just saying, “The new girl’s all right, but I’ll let you know tomorrow about her staying with us after this week. There are certain things about her I don’t like.”
“What are they?” Dan asked quickly.
“Nothing that you could do anything about, Webster,” the ringmaster replied. “They’re personal reasons.”
Dan rose, but before leaving he said, “By the way, Mr. Kroon, I’ve heard rumors about things disappearing from the circus.”
Kroon gave a slight twitch, and Nancy saw his eyes travel involuntarily to a bureau in the trailer.
To Dan he said, “I haven’t heard anything about it. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“Probably not,” Dan Webster gave a slightly forced laugh. “I guess rumors fly around thick and fast in the circus.”
He left the trailer and started for his own quarters. Dan had failed to carry out the last part of Nancy’s instructions, but it did not matter. She had found out what she wanted to know.
The bureau was probably the hiding place!
Nancy continued to eavesdrop outside the trailer, but neither Mr. nor Mrs. Kroon mentioned the bracelet or Dan’s visit.
Presently Mrs. Kroon went to Lolita’s trailer, apparently to watch her foster daughter’s movements.
A few minutes later the window shades on both trailers were drawn and soon afterward the lights were turned off. Nancy returned to her tent, convinced that her bracelet was in the bureau in Kroon’s trailer. She hoped that the ringmaster would not remove it before she had a chance to carry out the next part of her plan.
Early the following morning she went to find Lolita. She was forced to wait for several minutes while the aerialist and her foster parents finished breakfast in Mr. and Mrs. Kroon’s trailer. Finally the ringmaster left, and Lolita started back to her own quarters.
Nancy signaled her to walk to a more secluded spot where they might talk. Quickly she divulged her suspicions about the bracelet. Lolita was aghast to learn that her foster father might be a thief. Nancy said she was sorry but felt that it was necessary for Lolita to know all the facts.
“I want you to search that bureau,” Nancy told her.
Lolita looked frightened. “But how can I?” she said. “Mo
ther’s always in one trailer or the other.”
“I’ll arrange for her to leave,” said Nancy. “I’ll have Erika ask her to come to our tent and help with some sewing.”
Lolita finally consented. An hour later, when Mrs. Kroon was safely out of the way, the aerialist went into her father’s trailer. Nancy posted herself at the window. Some distance away was Dan Webster, acting as a lookout.
Lolita pulled out drawer after drawer, lifting various articles and feeling beneath pieces of clothing. The bracelet was not in any of the drawers. Just as Lolita opened the lowest drawer, Nancy heard a low whistle. Looking up, she saw Dan Webster warning her of danger.
Reinhold Kroon was almost at the trailer!
Through the window Nancy hissed at Lolita. The girl was so engrossed in her search that she did not hear her friend. The next moment, Kroon stepped inside.
CHAPTER XIII
Blackout
WHEN Lolita heard someone step into the trailer, she slammed the bureau drawer shut. But her movement and the telltale clothes hanging from the drawer gave her away.
“Answer me! What are you doing?” her foster father yelled.
He took hold of the girl’s arm and yanked her around violently. “You tell me what you were doing or I’ll—” The ringmaster did not finish because of an unexpected interruption.
Fearful that Lolita might give away their secret, Nancy acted quickly. She had once learned a few ventriloquistic tricks. Using one of them now, she threw her voice to sound as if it were inside the trailer and gave an unearthly scream. Then, dashing around to the door of the trailer, she ran inside.
“I heard a scream,” she said. “Is something the matter?”
Kroon glared at Nancy and released his hold on Lolita. The pretty aerialist sagged weakly onto a couch.
“Oh, Nancy!” she wailed helplessly.
Kroon’s eyes narrowed and he walked toward Nancy menacingly. “Why, you little double-crosser!” he shouted.
Nancy stood her ground. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Dan Webster in the doorway. Should she need any protection, it was nearby.
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