Free The Sky Phantom by Carolyn G. Keene

you,” George commented. “You’d better get up and dress for dinner. Remember, tonight is the masquerade.”
    Nancy had made no comment about Bess’s dream, but she was a little concerned about how Dave would view the situation when he arrived. She fervently hoped there would be no real trouble between the two boys, who did not yet know they were rivals.
    The three girls put on dresses and were soon joining the other guests who were walking to the dining room. Streamers festooned the ceiling, and pictures of Hamilton Ranch ponies, past and present, hung on the walls. To each one had been attached a bow and long, hanging ribbons in various colors.
    The girls walked around quickly to look at them, wondering if Speed Boy’s photograph might be there, and if so, what color ribbon would be on it. They could not find it.
    “I thought for sure Speed Boy would be here,” Nancy said.
    A waitress, overhearing her remark, said, “Pop took the picture away. He told us it would have to have a black ribbon, and he thought no note of sadness should be displayed at the party tonight.”
    “Thank you,” Nancy said.
    She and her friends went to their table and found party menus awaiting them. The whole dinner was a gala one, and an excellent preparation for the dance, which would commence in about two hours.
    “It ought to be fun,” George declared.
    After dinner, the girls went to their room to change into the costumes they planned to wear. When they arrived at the dining-room door, the trio found that all the tables had been removed. Chairs lined the walls and an open double door at one side of the room led to a garden beyond. A band was playing a lively march.
    “The parade is about to start,” Pop warned, and the girls hurried to get in line. There was loud applause as they passed various groups of watchers. After everyone had walked all the way around the room, the march ended and the dance music started. Chuck had recognized Bess and immediately claimed her as a partner. Range was on hand to ask George.
    She looked at him in surprise. “How did you manage to spot me so quickly?” she asked.
    He grinned as they danced off. “Who else but you would think of being a lady clown? You look great! ”
    At the same moment Nancy was claimed by a stranger wearing a sailor’s work clothes and a full face mask.
    “You sure look mighty purty tonight,” he said.
    Nancy thought his voice sounded familiar, but she could not identify it.
    “Do I know you?” Nancy inquired.
    “I don’t guess you do, but let’s dance.”
    Nancy was puzzled. It always bothered her when she could not recognize a voice at once.
    The stranger swept her around the room in long strides, but stopped abruptly at the door that led to the garden.
    “It’s too bloomin’ hot in here,” he said. “Come on outside.”
    Nancy did not trust the man. She suddenly recalled the time she had been kidnapped from a masquerade party at her friend Ned Nickerson’s fraternity house.
    “I’d rather not,” she said.
    “Aw, come on!” the man said.
    He began yanking her by the hand. When he could not budge Nancy, the stranger put an arm around her shoulders and pushed her toward the doorway.
    This was enough for Nancy. With a quick jerk, she removed his mask!
    “Ben Rall!” she cried out. “You don’t work here any more. You weren’t invited to this party.”
    “Never mind that, you little tartar. You’re going to come with me!”
    “I am not!” Nancy shouted at the top of her voice. “Let me alone!”
    Other dancers, hearing the argument, rushed to the girl’s side. The men hustled the unwanted, obnoxious Ben outdoors and Nancy heard one of them say, “Get away from here and stay away! You understand? You don’t belong here!”
    The men’s partners gathered around Nancy. One of them said, “I’m glad you got rid of that pest!”
    At this moment another man came up. Though he wore a half mask, Nancy immediately recognized the man dressed in a