“Chief McGinnis called and left a message for you,” she reported. “That fellow Hitch has disappeared. You’re to watch your step!”
The news disturbed Nancy. She felt sure that the stableman had run away because he was guilty of the three suspicious incidents which had occurred.
“Did the chief tell you anything else?” Nancy asked the housekeeper.
“Yes, he did. One of his men found some souvenir whips hidden in Hitch’s quarters. And furthermore, he told me that Hitch had tried to strangle you. Oh, Nancy, you must be careful. That fellow’s clothes are still at the stable, which means he’s probably still around here.”
Hannah Gruen now went into a tirade about Hitch. She was sure he must be mentally deranged. No person in his right mind would try to injure innocent people like Nancy and the circus rider!
“I’m terribly worried,” the housekeeper said. “There’s no telling what that madman may try next.”
It worried Nancy, too. It occurred to her that very possibly Hitch was lurking around the circus grounds, planning more deviltry. If he were, nobody would be safe.
Aloud Nancy said, “Don’t think anything more about it, Hannah. Let’s talk about something more pleasant. I’m staying at the circus and having supper with Lolita. Isn’t that thrilling?”
“I suppose so,” the housekeeper replied, “but don’t you get any fancy ideas, Nancy Drew, about becoming an aerialist. It’s bad enough that you’re doing that stunt riding.”
Nancy laughed, then told Hannah that she was staying for the evening performance and very much wanted her to come.
“Dad will be here,” she said gaily, “and someone else you like very much. We’ll make it a party!”
Hannah promised to attend and asked about a ticket. Nancy told her that she would leave one at the ticket booth. After completing the telephone conversation, Nancy went at once to find Dan Webster. He was pleased to hear that she had her father’s approval and promised to have Box AA set aside for the family’s use.
When Nancy told him about Hitch and her Suspicions that he might be hiding in the circus grounds, Dan’s face became livid with anger. “Why that shriveled-up, good-for-nothing!” he shouted. “I never did have any use for him when he was with Sims’, and now I have less than ever. I’ll find him! He won’t get away with another one of his tricks!”
Nancy suggested to Dan that the stableman might not be in his right mind.
“That doesn’t excuse him!” Dan exclaimed.
Telling Nancy to go ahead to the big tent, the horse trainer hurried off to instigate a search. Relieved, she hurried back to where she had left Bess. Nancy took her arm as the girls went to the riding ring.
The equestrian group was there and complimented Nancy on her appearance.
“Oh, I do hope I can fool Mr. Kroon,” she said. Turning to Rancoco, Nancy added, “Will you do something for me?”
“Yes, Nancy. What is it?”
She suggested that the ringmaster be kept at a distance, so that he would have no chance to detect the substitution.
“I’m sure I can arrange it,” Rancoco said. “Here comes Kroon now. I’ll speak to him.”
To Nancy’s delight, Rancoco was able to persuade the ringmaster to remain at a distance by telling him that he should view the act as though he were part of the audience.
“All right,” the man’s voice boomed across the empty tent, as he sat down in one of the boxes. “Now get to work! And make it snappy! I’ve got too much work to be hanging around here.”
Rancoco hurried across the tanbark and the act started. Nancy was determined to do her part with precision. And the members of the troupe were equally bent upon helping her as much as possible.
Everything went smoothly. One of the men riders added an intricate solo of his own to take the place of one of Rosa’s specialties.
Kroon seemed pleased, and for a few minutes he seemed like a different person—a very handsome, affable man. But presently he became as harsh and brutal as usual.
“This will do for a week or so,” he shouted. “But, Rancoco, see to it that your girl soloist gets back in. Men performers are all right, but an audience likes to see girl riders do the tricky things.”