“Hitch finally made a confession,” the lawyer stated. “This is the story in brief: One time while he was working with Sims’ Circus, Hitch overheard Kroon accuse his wife of a kidnaping. For nearly a year the groom had blackmailed the ringmaster because of what he had heard. Then apparently Kroon would not stand for the extortion any longer, and Hitch was thrown out.
“I’m inclined to think,” Mr. Drew summarized, “that Kroon also had something on Hitch and this was the reason the stableman never told the story before. Well, when Hitch heard that Sims’ Circus was coming to River Heights, he decided to try getting back into Kroon’s good graces.”
As the lawyer paused, Nancy remarked, “But he wasn’t able to do it?”
Her father smiled. “This will be a surprise to you. Kroon wouldn’t let Hitch back into the circus, but he did carry on an intrigue with him—against you!”
“Me?” Nancy cried.
Mr. Drew nodded. He said that Hitch knew about the bracelet with the horse charms, although he had not admitted it to Nancy. Hitch had understood that it once belonged to Lolita’s mother. When he found out Nancy had it, Hitch had a good talking point with Kroon.
“He told the ringmaster what he knew, and received a tidy little sum for his information. Apparently Hitch was also given the job of trying in some way to discourage you from proceeding with your work on the mystery. So he figured out that he would strangle you enough to give you a good scare!”
“But why did he harm poor Rosa?” Nancy asked.
Her father said that Hitch had done it in a fit of jealous rage. The stableman hated all equestrian performers, because he had never succeeded in becoming a good one himself.
“And what about Señor Roberto?” Nancy questioned her father.
“Hitch insists that he had nothing to do with Roberto’s injuries,” Mr. Drew explained. “I believe he’s telling the truth. But this only complicates matters. It’s certain that Kroon didn’t do it, since he was at the circus at the time. But it does mean that there is some unknown enemy mixed up in this whole thing. I’m inclined to think he’s not a member of the circus.”
“But a friend of Kroon’s who is helping him cheat Lolita out of her money?” Nancy asked.
Her father smiled. “I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head, Nancy. And this might pertain to something else that happened in River Heights. The night that Hannah and I attended your first performance,” the lawyer said, “your lovely horse-charm bracelet was stolen!”
CHAPTER XVI
A Secret Search
The gold bracelet with the dainty little horse charms was gone!
Nancy was exceedingly upset to hear this news from her father. It had been her best clue to solving the mystery of Lolita’s parents. Now she could not compare the little charms to see if the one which Lolita wore was a substitute.
“Don’t take it so hard,” Mr. Drew advised his daughter, seeing her deep frown. “I have asked Chief McGinnis to help on the case. He’ll turn up something.”
Nancy told her father what the old clown, Sanders, had inferred about Lolita’s trinket—that it was only an imitation.
“I strongly suspect,” Nancy said, “that Kroon or Mrs. Kroon may have sold the original trinket and had a cheap substitute made.”
“No doubt,” the lawyer agreed.
“Besides wanting to solve this mystery and help Lolita,” said Nancy, “I’d just love to find the sixth horse to my bracelet.”
Her father smiled. “And I dare say,” he remarked, “that when you do, you’ll give the whole thing to Lolita Flanders for a wedding gift.”
“Not unless it rightfully belongs to her,” Nancy said. “After all, Aunt Eloise gave me the lovely gift, and it won’t be easy to part with it.”
Mr. Drew arose. “I must hurry back to River Heights, Nancy. Incidentally, Hannah and I miss you very much. We’ll be glad when your week in the circus is up.”
Nancy laughed. “If things should go wrong here, I may be back sooner than that. By the way, Dad, did you have a chance to get in touch with anyone in England about Lola Flanders?”