“Well,” he said, smiling, “we’ll call your findings the preliminary investigation. Bring the note to headquarters. I’d like to give it a microscopic test.”
Nancy promised to do so, then told Chief McGinnis her suspicions about Hitch. After she mentioned the stableman’s ·warning about stunt riding and the incident of the stone throwing, the officer advised Nancy to be wary.
“I certainly think you have good reason to suspect that fellow Hitch,” he said. “I’ll put a detail on him right away.”
Nancy returned to her seat and concentrated on Lolita’s act. The performance went off exceedingly well. When it ended and while Nancy was applauding with the enthusiastic crowd, an usher came up to her with a note.
As she started to open it, Nancy’s breath came a little faster. Was this another warning? Had her unknown enemy seen her talking to the Chief of Police?
A moment later the girl’s fears were allayed. The note was from Dan Webster, asking her to meet him in his office at once.
Nancy rose and hurried from the tent. A hundred thoughts flashed through her mind before she reached the office. What could he want of her? As she walked in, Dan Webster smiled and offered her a chair. Then, looking directly at her, he said, “I won’t beat around the bush, Nancy. I want you to take the place of that injured bareback rider.”
Nancy was so amazed she opened her mouth and closed it again without speaking. Then she managed to exclaim, “You want me to take that girl’s place!”
“I told you this morning that you ride well enough to be in the circus.”
“But I can’t perform like that girl!” Nancy objected. “She’s excellent. By the way, how is she?”
Webster revealed that the young rider’s ankle had been sprained in the fall. The doctor had advised her to keep off her ankle for at least a month.
“Oh, what a shame!” Nancy cried, then added, “Thank you very much for your compliment, but, really, I’ll have to refuse. Even if I could do the riding, I know Mr. Kroon would never approve of my joining Sims’ Circus.”
The horse trainer said he did not think the ringmaster would disapprove. Furthermore, Kroon had given an ultimatum that the bareback act was to be filled in before the evening show or the whole troupe would be dismissed.
“The actors might change their routine, but unfortunately the horses can‘t,” Webster told her. “It takes a long time to train them and there’s no changing ’em.”
Nancy felt sorry for the group that depended on the act for their livelihood. If she could ride for one or two performances, until they found a replacement, it might help.
Dan Webster took her silence as a sign of refusal. Leaning toward her, he said in a whisper, “You know, this might be your golden opportunity to solve the mystery of the circus. If you lived with us for a week or so, you could watch the Kroons at close range.”
This plea did the trick. Laughing, Nancy said she would join the circus, provided her father approved.
“He’s on a trip, but I’ll try to locate him,” she promised. “I’m not sure where he is staying at present.”
“If you don’t,” Webster said, “I’ll turn this old earth upside down to find him. Where do we start?”
He pushed the telephone toward Nancy and insisted that she begin calling. First she tried Mr. Drew’s office, only to learn that they had not heard from him that day and did not know where he was.
As she put the phone down, Lolita and Pietro walked into the office. Nancy was surprised to see them together, and Lolita must have guessed her thoughts.
“We’re becoming very bold about being seen with each other.” The circus star laughed happily.
Pietro frowned. “But look for an explosion if Mr. Kroon sees us!”
“Let’s not worry,” the aerialist said, adding that all her friends were acting as lookouts and would notify them at once if Lolita’s foster father were close by.
“Say,” Dan Webster spoke up, “you two will have to help me out. Nancy Drew must take Rosa’s place. I have persuaded her, but she tells me she won’t join the circus unless her father gives his permission, and we can’t locate Mr. Drew. What am I going to do?”
Lolita walked over to Nancy and put an arm around the girl. “I think it would be nice for you to have your father’s permission,” she said, “but, after all, he doesn’t object to your circus riding at Senor Roberto’s, does he?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the difference whether you’re riding in our ring or the one at the riding academy?” Lolita asked persuasively.
“I don’t suppose there is any,” Nancy agreed, “but I’d still like to get in touch with him. I have an idea. Two friends of mine who often work with me will be glad to try to locate him, I’m sure. In the meantime, I’ll practice some stunt riding. After all, I haven’t ridden with the other members of the bareback troupe. The whole thing might be a flop with me in it.”
“Oh, no, it couldn’t be!” Lolita cried excitedly.
Dan Webster said that the members of the equestrian group were meeting in twenty minutes to decide what to do about the act. If Nancy would come to the main tent at that time, he would introduce her and let them see her work.
“I’ll find you some riding clothes, Nancy,” Lolita offered. “Come on!”
Before leaving the office, Nancy telephoned Bess and George, who, she knew, were at Roberto’s academy. They were overwhelmed to hear that their friend planned to ride in the circus. Bess begged Nancy to reconsider, but finally she promised to help locate Mr. Drew.
“Thanks a million,” said Nancy. “And hurry.”
“Express service.” George laughed as she put down the telephone.
Nancy and Lolita left Webster’s office with Pietro. They had gone only a few steps when one of the midgets rushed up to Lolita.
“Your father’s coming!” he warned.
With that, Pietro dodged behind a truck. The two girls went on. A moment later they were confronted by Kroon.
“Who is this, Lolita?” he asked sternly. Giving Nancy a piercing look, he said, “Aren’t you the girl who let that kid sneak a ride in Cinderella’s carriage during the parade?”
The ringmaster did not wait for Nancy to answer. His eyes flashing, he ordered her to leave the circus grounds at once. Then, turning to Lolita, he snapped, “Get to your trailer and don’t come out until suppertime!”
Over Kroon’s shoulder, Nancy spotted Pietro. He was beckoning her. His signal seemed to indicate that she was to pretend to leave and that he would follow and meet her later. After bidding Lolita good-by, Nancy started off. Kroon stood there until he was sure his daughter had obeyed his command; then he stalked away.
A short distance farther, Pietro caught up with Nancy. He offered to guide her to the trailer where extra costumes were kept, including riding habits.
Nancy shook her head. “It wouldn’t be safe now, Pietro. I suspect that Mr. Kroon knows who I am. I think he mentioned Teddy as an excuse for ordering me to leave. He doesn’t want me around here and will do anything to keep me away.”
Pietro looked crestfallen. After a moment of silence, he said, “Even so, Nancy, you must stay and see what you can do for Lolita and me. Listen! I’m going to tell you something that I don’t even dare tell my fiancée. She would be worried sick.
“I was walking past Mr. and Mrs. Kroon’s trailer a little while ago. I believe they thought nobody was around. Mrs. Kroon was crying and saying to her husband, ‘The money won’t do us any good if people find out where it came from.’ ”
Nancy was startled. “Have you any idea what Mrs. Kroon meant?” she asked the clown, but he shook his head.
Nancy’s mind jumped to one possibility. The Kroons may have secretly gained possession of money that did not rightfully belong to them!
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.