Free Three-Ring Terror by Franklin W. Dixon

it wasn’t a good idea to tell Costello the whole truth.
    â€œLast night a juggler with the Montero Brothers Circus named Ralph Rosen dropped a ball in Chet’s tote bag,” Joe explained. “Inside the ball was a message. And, well, we were thinking that maybe, just maybe, the message has something to do with the accidents here at the circus. We thought you should know because the people listed in the message are connected to Circus U.”
    â€œWe also thought you might be able to tell us if Ralph Rosen is the kind of guy who might try to cause these accidents,” Frank said. “Dean Turner mentioned that he had been kicked out of Circus U. We think he might be trying to get back at people there.”
    Costello sat down on the edge of his desk. He was silent for a moment. “I’m shocked,” he said finally. “I knew Ralph Rosen had problems, but I would never have suspected that he would stoop so low.” Costello shook his head sadly. “I’m alsoappalled to think that a former Circus U. student would do such a terrible thing.”
    Costello paused for a moment, then gave the Hardys and Chet a curious look. “Why are you all interested in figuring out why we’ve been having these accidents, anyway?”
    Joe glanced at Frank and saw his brother’s warning look. He turned back to Costello.
    â€œAs students here, we’re anxious about the accidents that have already happened,” Joe said carefully. “First the cannon misfired and Dean Turner nearly suffocated. And then, when we saw what happened to Carl Nash on the trapeze just now, we started thinking. Since you’re director of admissions, we figured if anyone would know about Ralph Rosen, it would be you,” he finished.
    Costello let out a hearty laugh. “Doing a bit of amateur detecting, eh? Well, while you boys are at Circus U., why don’t you stick to clowning and learning about other kinds of circus performing. Don’t worry. We’ll manage to settle our problems.”
    â€œDo you have some background info on Rosen in your files?” Joe pressed.
    Costello stood up from the edge of his desk and shook his head slowly. “I might, but that information is confidential. Only Dean Turner can release it. Come on, guys,” he said finally. “I really appreciate what you’re trying to do, but why don’t you leave all this stuff to the people incharge? Kick back, relax, and enjoy your classes here. You won’t get another chance like this in—
    Before Costello could finish his sentence, his phone began to ring. “Excuse me,” he said to the three of them.
    Joe stood up and headed for the door, realizing they weren’t going to get anywhere with the dean of admissions. Frank and Chet followed. “We’ll let you get back to work,” Frank said.
    â€œThanks,” Costello said, picking up the phone on the third ring. “Take my advice: Enjoy yourselves and don’t worry, okay?”
    â€œThat was a big waste of time,” Joe said when the three of them were back in the hall. “We didn’t even get a look at Rosen’s application.”
    â€œWe’ll just have to find out about Rosen another way,” Frank said, trying to reassure his brother. “We can ask Jim Jacobs where he’s staying.”
    â€œUh, do you guys mind if we get some lunch first?” Chet said. “I don’t think I can go on much longer without some fuel inside me.”
    Joe laughed. “Okay, Chet. Frank and I know that clowning around is hungry work.”
    â€œSo is detecting,” Frank said. “Let’s head over to that new burger place on Main Street.”
    â€œGreat,” Chet said. “I hear they have foot-high burgers.”
    â€œThey must have thought of you when they came up with their menu,” Joe said with a grin.
    With Joe in the lead, they walked past the elevators, then down the hall