Free The Ringmaster's Secret by Carolyn G. Keene Page A

never could forget it. The bracelet was solid gold and had six little horses dangling from it. Five of them represented a different gait. Two were cantering. It was the most artistic piece of jewelry I have ever seen,” he concluded. “And now, I understand, you may own this bracelet.”
    Nancy nodded and added, “I was told that the horse charm Lolita wears on a necklace was given to her by her mother. Do you think it could have come from my bracelet?”
    Sanders thought for a moment. He glanced at Nancy as if he were reluctant to say what was on his mind.
    Finally he blurted out, “I don’t think the one Lolita wears is real. It doesn’t glisten as much and isn’t so finely made as the ones I saw on her mother’s bracelet.”
    Here was a strange twist, Nancy thought. If the old clown was right, then someone had substituted an imitation horse charm for the lovely one Lolita’s mother had given her!
    “I’ll get my bracelet and compare the horses more closely with Lolita’s,” Nancy decided. She was positive that hers were the finely wrought originals.
    She thanked the clown for his information. Then, before going back to her own tent, she telephoned her father. After giving him the latest news, she asked him to find out what he could in England about Lola Flanders.
    Deciding that it was best to keep Sanders’ suspicions to herself, Nancy talked with Erika only about the circus itself. Both girls performed expertly that afternoon and returned to their dressing room smiling in satisfaction.
    The evening performance also went off well. By this time, Nancy felt as if she really were part of the circus. In fact, she had almost forgotten that she was only substituting for a week or so, and had to keep out of Kroon’s way in order to avoid being detected.
    Nevertheless, Nancy concluded that circus life was strenuous. As she was wearily removing her costume before going to bed, Erika dashed in, her eyes aglow.
    “Hurry and change your clothes,” she said. “We’re going to have a party.”
    Nancy sighed, admitted she was extremely tired, and thought it best if she were excused from it.
    “Oh, you have to come,” Erika told her. “Lolita is giving the party and she has a surprise for you!”
    “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