Nancy related the mysterious story connected with the bracelet. Señor Roberto said, upon reflection, that he had heard such a tale but could not recall who had told it.
“I seem to recollect, though,” he added slowly, “that the story involved a strange disappearance. Whether it was the bracelet or the owner or the giver I don’t know.”
He called to Hitch and asked him whether he had ever heard about a horse-charm bracelet. The riding master briefly recounted what Nancy had told him. The stableman looked first at Nancy and then at his employer. Finally, in a gruff tone, he replied:
“Yes, I heard about a bracelet like that pony one when I was workin’ for Sims’ Circus.”
“Do you remember who told you?” Nancy asked.
The groom thought for several seconds, then said he could not recall. Shrugging, he added, “You know how it is in the circus. All kinds o’ stories get around.”
Although Nancy was disappointed not to learn more, she was hopeful of being able to question various members of Sims’ Circus the next day. By the following evening she might have the answer to the riddle of the bracelet!
For this reason getting up at four thirty the next morning did not seem like such a chore. Teddy was sitting on the doorstep when Nancy arrived at the Browns’. The two set off for the circus grounds in Nancy’s convertible.
It seemed as if all the children in River Heights had gathered to watch the big tents being put up. They were running in every direction so as not to miss anything. The good-natured workmen did not seem to mind the excitement and confusion.
Nancy had a hard time keeping track of Teddy. For a while she held onto his hand, running along with him as he darted from place to place.
A short respite came as he paused to watch the elephants being watered in a large tent. It was a thrill for the small boy when a man handed him a bucket and asked if he would like to let Old Jumbo, the biggest elephant, drink out of it.
“Can I really!” Teddy cried gleefully.
Just then a girl’s voice called, “Hi, Nancy!”
It was George. She had her little nephew in tow. The two girls chatted for a few seconds, then Nancy turned back to watch Teddy. He was not in sight!
“Oh, my goodness!” Nancy said, worried. “I thought he was giving the elephant a drink.”
She looked around the tent. Not seeing Teddy there, Nancy dashed outside. Her eyes roamed over the crowd. Finally she spotted the red-haired youngster and hurried toward him.
But before Nancy could reach him, she was horror-struck to see a large pole on a truck next to the boy begin to slide. If he did not get out of the way, it would strike him!
“Teddy!” Nancy screamed. “Run!”
CHAPTER III
The Cruel Ringmaster
For a harrowing second Teddy Brown did not seem to understand what Nancy was saying. The heavy pole, sliding down from the top of the pile, was going to fall on him at any second!
“Teddy!” Nancy screamed again. “Run! Run!”
This time the little boy obeyed. He jumped out of the path of the pole in the nick of time. It landed on the ground with a tremendous thud and began to roll. But Teddy Brown, running to Nancy, was safe.
She dashed up and threw her arms about the youngster. Her heart was pounding wildly.
“Oh, Teddy, you gave me such a fright,” she said, trembling.
“I’m sorry, Nancy,” the little boy replied. “I won’t leave you again.”
Teddy kept his word. During the rest of their tour of the circus grounds, he kept tight hold of Nancy’s hand.
There was so much to see—the wild animals, the beautiful horses, and the astonishingly large cafeteria where the circus people ate.
“Can we have breakfast here, Nancy?” the little boy asked.
“I’m afraid not, Teddy,” the girl replied. “They don’t sell food here. The cafeteria is only for the circus people.”
“Can’t we buy something to eat?” Teddy persisted. “Popcorn or hot dogs? They always sell those at circuses.”
Nancy smiled and explained that the refreshment stands were not open yet. Teddy was so hungry by this time that it was hard to dissuade him from going into the cafeteria tent. As he stood hungrily eying the long row of portable stoves on which the circus chefs were cooking, a man brushed by them rudely, pushing the little boy out of his way.