Ringmaster's Secret by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: &NEW, Mysteries (Young Adult), Fiction
Published: 2011-07-06T18:48:29+00:00

CHAPTER XIV

The Clue in the Scrapbook

THE sight that met Nancy's eyes as she reached the second floor of the academy made her wince. On the floor lay Señor Roberto, bound and gagged!

He wore no shirt and across his chest, as well as his face and neck, were a series of red, angry welts. Apparently he had been cruelly whipped!

By now, Ned had removed the gag. Nancy sprang forward to help untie the bonds that held the man's arms close to his side. Next, they cut the cords which bound his ankles together.

"I'll get some water," Nancy offered, "and see if I can find the first-aid kit."

"I think Roberto should go to a hospital," Ned told her.

"The police will be here any minute. Perhaps they'll take him," she suggested.

On the first floor of the stable Nancy found a first-aid kit. She carried it upstairs and used an antiseptic salve on the riding master's welts. Ned gave him a dose of aromatic spirits of ammonia.

But Roberto did not regain consciousness and both were relieved when Captain McGinnis and two policemen arrived. Since Hitch was well tied up, they turned their attention to Señor Roberto.

"This man is in bad shape," the chief remarked. "Clem," he said, addressing one of his men, "drive Señor Roberto to the hospital at once, and then return here."

The two policemen carried the riding master to their car and drove off.

Chief McGinnis now turned his attention to Hitch. He asked Nancy and Ned if the man were responsible for Roberto's condition.

"We haven't had a chance to ask him," said Nancy. "We just found Señor Roberto a few minutes ago."

The chief, with Ned's help, removed the straps from the groom and the officer began to interrogate him. Hitch insisted that he knew nothing about what had happened to Roberto. The officer tried a new tack:

"Suppose you tell your whole story and you'd better stick to the truth. It'll go easier with you in court."

Hitch became sullen and for several minutes would say nothing. But after Chief McGinnis had shot questions and accusations at him for nearly ten minutes, Hitch finally broke down. Suddenly he screamed:

"I hate Sims' Circus and everybody in it!"

"Why?" the officer asked him.

"Circuses are evil things. Everybody who runs 'em is crazy! Now take Kroon," he said.

As Hitch mentioned the ringmaster's name, Nancy leaned forward so that she would not miss a word.

"That ringmaster—he puts up a big front, but he's the biggest thief in the world."

"How do you know?" McGinnis asked him.

Suddenly Hitch became sullen again. He said he could tell plenty about Kroon and everybody else at Sims' Circus, but why should he? What would it get him? They were the people who ought to be going to jail, not he.

The next moment, Hitch gave the most bloodcurdling yell Nancy had ever heard. It sent shivers down her spine. Just as the scream ended in a choked gurgle, Hitch made a dash for the door. But Ned and Chief McGinnis were on him, and the prisoner did not get far.

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