The Ringmaster's Secret

by Carolyn G. Keene

  CHAPTER VIII

  A Quick Switch

  THERE was no question now in Nancy Drew’s mind that if she rode in the circus act she would be in danger—and not only from the angle of riding. Intuition told her there would be other hazards as well!

  “I’ll need eyes in the back of my head,” the girl thought.

  “Please don’t let us down,” Pietro pleaded. “You see what a dreadful position Lolita is in. Even if we ran away and got married, I don’t think it would solve our problem. Kroon might continue to make life miserable for us.”

  “I agree,” Nancy answered. “I’ll do everything I can for you and Lolita. But if my father disapproves of my living at the circus, I’ll have to work on the outside.”

  The clown thanked Nancy and then took her to Mrs. Kelly, the wardrobe mistress. Nancy was quickly outfitted in dark-blue jodhpurs and a white blouse. But instead of boots she was given soft heelless slippers. Since she had never used this kind of footwear in stunt riding, Nancy asked Mrs. Kelly about them.

  “That’s what all our bareback riders use,” Mrs. Kelly replied. “You’ll probably find them easier to manage than stiff boots.”

  After thanking the woman, Nancy hurried to the Big Top where Dan Webster awaited her. He introduced the equestrian group and their leader, Rancoco.

  Dan took the arm of an attractive young woman with lovely blond hair and big blue eyes. “Erika will be your roommate when you join us,” he said.

  The two girls smiled at each other, then Nancy asked, “What shall I do first?”

  Fortunately, the lead horse, whose nose had been bruised, was all right otherwise. She was the same size and build as Belgian Star, so when Nancy swung herself onto the mare’s back, she felt almost as if she were riding Roberto’s thoroughbred.

  “Now, don’t be nervous,” Webster encouraged. “Just do those stunts I saw you performing at Roberto’s and you’ll be all right.”

  Despite his reassurance, Nancy was tense. At first she performed the stunts stiffly, but when Erika reminded her to relax, the riding went better.

  “Well, what do you think?” Dan asked Rancoco when Nancy had finished.

  “For a girl not reared in the circus, she surely is remarkable,” the leader replied. “Even if she can’t join us permanently, I’ll be glad to take her on until we can get a substitute for Rosa.”

  He asked Nancy if she had ever stood on a cantering horse with another person.

  “No. I haven’t.”

  Rancoco suggested she try it with him after watching another couple do the stunt. Nancy consented, and when they were ready, he said, “You go first.”

  Nancy timed the rhythm of the horse, ran several steps across the ring, and hopped onto her mare’s back. A moment later Rancoco joined her. But as he touched her, Nancy lost her balance and off they both fell!

  “Not hurt, are you?” he asked, helping her up. Nancy shook her head gamely. “Better luck next time,” he said with an encouraging smile.

  Nancy had several more spills, but finally she was able to steady herself when Rancoco hopped up behind her.

  “Fine, fine!” he praised her. “If you do your part as well tonight, everything will be okay.”

  At that moment Pietro raced into the tent. “Kroon’s coming!” he cried in great agitation. “He suspects something funny is going on. He’s in a rage and says he’ll fire all of you for double-crossing him!”

  “Pietro, he must have found out about me,” Nancy said in dismay.

  The clown’s face was dark with anger. “I’m afraid so. There’s a spy in this circus, and I’m going to find out who he is!”

  Before Pietro could say any more, Bess Marvin rushed into the tent. Seeing her in riding clothes gave Nancy an idea. Without waiting to hear why Bess had come, Nancy said to her, “Kroon’s coming in here any minute. He must have heard I’m trying out for a part in this act. He mustn’t see me. You’ll have to take my place!”

  Poor Bess had no time to make a choice. As Nancy dived behind some seats, the ringmaster walked in. He strode over to Bess.

  “So you’re the girl who’s trying out, eh?”

  “Why—uh, yes,” Bess replied.

  “I thought it was somebody else,” he said. Then he added, “You don’t look like much of a rider, but get up on the mare and let’s see what you can do.”

  Obediently Bess mounted. She felt sick with fear and only her loyalty to Nancy gave her the courage to carry on.

  Bess rode well and Kroon seemed to be impressed. “Now let’s see what stunts you can do,” he called.

  Bess’s heart thumped wildly. What could she do? “I—I can’t work in these clothes,” she stammered. “Could you come back in an hour, Mr. Kroon?”

  “An hour!” the ringmaster yelled. “An hour to change your clothes? I’ll give you exactly half—well, forty-five minutes.”

  “Thank you,” said Bess, sliding from the horse.

  Kroon looked at Rancoco. “I want every one of you back here in exactly forty-five minutes. I’ll be watching the act. If I don’t like it, out you go. This time I won’t change my mind!”

  As he stalked off, there was silence. The equestrians were too worried to talk, and Nancy realized how much depended on her. She emerged from behind the seats.

  Bess begged her not to take part in the bareback act. “You’re just going to get yourself in trouble,” she insisted. “It isn’t worth the risk.”

  “I can’t let these people down now,” Nancy replied. “But thanks a million for helping me. Will you give this to Hannah?” she asked, taking off the charm bracelet.

  “Sure,” Bess replied.

  “By the way, Bess, did you find Dad?”

  “Yes and no.” Bess reported that George had contacted Nancy’s Aunt Eloise Drew in New York City. Miss Drew was expecting her brother and would have him telephone George’s home as soon as he arrived.

  “Thanks, Bess,” said Nancy. “Now how am I going to fool Kroon into thinking I’m you!”

  Erika, who overheard the remark, smiled. “It won’t be any trouble,” she said. “Our makeup artist can fix that. With a blond wig and some stage makeup, you’ll fool him all right!”

  “Let’s start,” Nancy urged.

  The three girls went off together, and within half an hour Nancy’s appearance was considerably changed. As the girls left the makeup tent, they almost bumped into George Fayne. She stared at Nancy as if she had seen a ghost.

  “What’s been going on?” she exclaimed.

  Quickly George was brought up to date, then Nancy asked, “Did Dad call?”

  George grinned. She said that Mr. Drew had telephoned and would be happy to let Nancy pinch-hit in the circus act.

  “What’s more,” George added, “your aunt is flying in with him to see tonight’s performance.”

  “How wonderful!” Nancy cried. Then it suddenly occurred to her that she had told Hannah she would be home at six o’clock and it was now six thirty. Nancy decided to call her at once.

  “I’ll invite her to the evening performance,” Nancy thought, her eyes dancing. “But I’ll keep my part in it a surprise.”

  After Nancy explained to the housekeeper that she was still at the circus, Hannah Gruen told her that Chief McGinnis had called.

  “He says to tell you that fellow Hitch has disappeared. You’re to watch your step!”

  The news disturbed Nancy. She felt sure that the stableman had run away because he was guilty of the three suspicious incidents.

  “Did the chief tell you anything else?” Nancy asked the housekeeper.

  “Yes. One of his men found some souvenir whips hidden in Hitch’s quarters. And he told me that Hitch had tried to strangle you. You must be careful, Nancy. That fellow’s clothes are still at the stable, which means he probably hasn’t gone far.”

  Nancy was worried. It occurred to her that Hitch might be lurking around the circus grounds, planning more deviltry. If he were, nobody would be safe.

&nbs
p; Aloud Nancy said, “Don’t think any more about it. I’m going to stay for the evening circus performance and I’d like you to come. Dad will be here with someone else you like.”

  Hannah promised to attend, and Nancy said she would leave a ticket for her at the entrance booth. After bidding Hannah good-by, Nancy went to find Dan Webster. He was pleased to hear that she had her father’s approval and promised to have Box AA set aside for her that evening.

  When Nancy told him about Hitch and her suspicions that he might be hiding on the circus grounds, Dan’s face became livid with anger. “Why that shriveled-up good-for-nothing!” he shouted. “I never did have any use for him. I’ll find him! He won’t get away with another of his tricks!”

  Telling Nancy to go ahead to the big tent, the horse trainer hurried off to start a search. When Nancy arrived at the riding ring, she was delighted to hear that Rancoco had persuaded the ringmaster to view the act from one of the boxes.

  “That way he won’t be able to tell you aren’t the same girl he saw before.” Rancoco grinned.

  Everything went smoothly and Kroon seemed satisfied with the act. After he had left the tent, Bess came out of hiding. Nancy told her there would be seats for her and George in Box AA. The girls said good-by to Nancy and left for their homes.

  Nancy joined Lolita at the cafeteria for supper. Suddenly remembering the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Kroon that Pietro had overheard, Nancy asked Lolita, “Did your own parents leave any money in trust for you?”

  “Oh no,” Lolita replied. “In fact Mr. Kroon once told me I was penniless and completely dependent on him.”

  As she finished speaking, a gong sounded in the cafeteria tent. Lolita explained that it was a signal to the circus people to get ready for the evening performance.

  “I must hurry and try on my costume,” Nancy said. “See you later.”

  She walked toward the trailer where earlier she had made a date with Mrs. Kelly, the wardrobe mistress.

  “I’m all ready for you,” the woman said pleasantly. “This is poor Rosa’s costume. Suppose you try it on and we’ll see how it fits.”

  Nancy removed her riding habit and stepped into the white satin ballerina-skirted costume. It was perfect!

  A few minutes later Nancy was completely outfitted. Carrying the costume and accessories over her arm, she walked to the supply tent to obtain special makeup.

  Placing the costume on a chair near the open doorway, Nancy walked to the rear to find someone to advise her of what she needed. No one was there.

  “I’ll borrow some makeup from Erika,” she decided and turned back to the entrance. As she did she saw the missing stableman! Hitch had Nancy’s costume in his hands.

  “Put that down!” Nancy cried.

  The stableman dashed out the door and disappeared.

  CHAPTER IX

  A Dangerous Performance

  NANCY had to get back her costume! She needed the fancy riding habit for the evening performance!

  “Oh, where did Hitch go?” she fumed, looking in every direction.

  Seeing a workman taking down one of the small tents, Nancy hastened to him and asked if he had seen a man running from the supply tent.

  “No, miss,” he replied. “You looking for someone?”

  Quickly Nancy told him that she was trying to find a man named Hitch.

  “Oh, I know him. He used to be with this circus.”

  “He took my costume and I must have it,” Nancy explained. “Please help me find Hitch and hold him for the police.”

  “I’ll do my best, miss,” the workman promised, hurrying away to begin his search.

  Nancy decided to speak to Dan Webster and went to his office. The horse trainer was thunder-struck when she told him of the groom’s latest bit of deviltry.

  “I thought we searched every part of these grounds for Hitch,” he said, “and the guards at all entrances were warned not to let him in or out.”

  Dan Webster picked up his telephone. He called the ticket office and everyone stationed outside the grounds. The last guard to whom he talked said, “Hey, wait a minute! I see something.”

  A moment later the man reported that he had the missing costume. “It was in a box under one of the booths. I noticed a man put a package there, but didn’t know he was Hitch. I’m sure he hasn’t left the grounds.”

  “Then he must be hiding here!” Nancy thought fearfully.

  Dan asked the guard to bring the costume to his office at once. While they were waiting for it, he warned Nancy to be watchful every minute until the groom was caught.

  When the costume arrived, Nancy found to her relief that it was unharmed. Hitch had evidently grabbed a large box from the supply tent and put the costume and accessories in it so he would not be seen with them.

  “Thanks so much,” Nancy said to Dan, and she ran off to dress for the performance.

  “My goodness, where have you been?” Erika asked when Nancy entered their tent. “It’s only fifteen minutes to parade time!”

  Nancy told her roommate what had happened. Erika was aghast. “I hope that awful man has left the circus grounds,” she said, helping Nancy into her costume. Then the two girls raced to the makeup tent.

  The girls had received their last fluffs of face powder when the warning gong sounded. They hurried off and swung onto the backs of their mounts. The band struck up, and a moment later the parade started.

  Nancy had never been more excited and nervous in her life. It was thrilling to ride with the circus people, but a fear lurked in her mind that Hitch might be hiding nearby, ready to harm her or one of the other riders.

  As Nancy came opposite the box where her father and Aunt Eloise were seated, she noticed to her delight that Hannah, Bess, George, and Ned were there also. They waved to her, but she did not dare acknowledge the greeting. Kroon or one of his spies might be watching.

  Finally the parade was over and Ringmaster Kroon entered the ring to announce the equestrian act.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “you are about to witness some of the world’s finest bareback riding. The Vascon family will perform the most daring stunts you have ever witnessed.”

  Overhearing the announcement in the wings, Nancy smiled. Not only was she not a Vascon or related to any of the other performers, but not one of them was related to any other!

  The horses trotted in and took their places in the ring. The performance started, the mares cantering about rhythmically to the music. Singly, and together, the riders did their stunts.

  In Box AA, Mr. Drew and his friends kept their eyes riveted on Nancy. “She’s wonderful!” Bess exclaimed.

  Nancy outdid herself. She made no mistakes, and her performance was excellent. When Rancoco jumped up behind her on the mare and they cantered around the ring, he whispered enthusiastically, “Superb, Nancy. Superb!”

  Pleased, Nancy smiled. The show went on without interruption. But just as one of the men riders began his solo, there was a wild scream in the audience.

  Turning, the equestrians saw a hard-thrown baseball whizzing from one of the exits directly at them!

  Like lightning, each performer pulled his horse to the tanbark and lay down himself. The speeding ball fiew over their heads and landed beyond the ring.

  The audience was divided in its reaction. Some were stunned. But many people thought it was part of the act and clapped loudly. Their attitude steadied the nerves of the riders and the performance went on.

  Later, when Nancy and Erika reached their dressing room, Nancy announced that she was changing to street clothes.

  “Where are you going?” her roommate asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Nancy replied, “but I’m going to try to find Hitch.”

  “Oh Nancy, do be careful. You must be back in time for the final pageant!”

  “How much time will there be before that?” Nancy asked.

  Erika glanced at the clock. “Two and a half hours.”

  “I’ll be back in tim
e,” said Nancy, and she left the dressing room.

  She asked Dan Webster if the ball thrower had been captured and was told that he had escaped. “It was probably Hitch,” the horse trainer said ruefully. “He’s still at large.”

  Nancy went to Box AA. Mr. Drew and the others whispered that she had been a sensation. Nancy smiled and slid into a seat beside Ned. She asked him if he would accompany her on a little sleuthing expedition.

  “Of course,” he replied. “Where?”

  “Roberto’s stables,” she said, and then she told him about the missing stableman. “Hitch’s clothes are still at the place. He may be hiding there.”

  Nancy whispered to her father that she and Ned would be gone for a short time and told him not to worry about them. Then she and Ned got into his car and drove to the riding academy.

  “This place is as dark as a tomb,” Ned remarked, “and just about as cheerful.”

  He parked a short distance from the stable and the couple walked quietly toward it. They were halfway to the rear entrance when Nancy grabbed Ned’s arm.

  “Listen!”

  The sound of hoofbeats and frightened whinnies reached their ears.

  “Someone is trying to steal Belgian Star!” Nancy exclaimed.

  Nancy and Ned raced toward the riding academy. In the dim light they caught a glimpse of horse and rider disappearing down the road.

  “I’m sure that’s Belgian Star!” Nancy cried. “We must catch her.”

  “Come on!” Ned cried. “We’ll chase them in the car.”

  They hurried back and hopped into the car. The two rode in silence until they heard the rhythmic beat of a horse’s hoofs on the road ahead of them.

  The rider must have guessed that he was being pursued. Reaching an open field, he turned sharply and raced directly across it.

  Ned did the same. The ground was soft and rutted, but he drove on doggedly until they came to a brook with a thick woods on the other side.

  Nancy jumped out of the car and called at the top of her voice, “Star! Whoa! Come back!”

  The mare must have heard Nancy. The hoofbeats and crashing of underbrush stopped. Nancy and Ned heard a frantic “Giddap! Giddap!” But there was still no sound from the horse.