After all the angles of the mystery were cleared up, Nancy and her friends went at once to the Melville Hotel. Nancy suggested that no one attend the reunion of mother and daughter. Lolita smiled and thanked Nancy for being so understanding, but said that she wanted all of the others to come to her mother’s room in fifteen minutes.
When Nancy and the young men arrived, they were thrilled to see the happiness on the faces of Lola and Lolita Flanders. Their praise of Nancy was boundless, and Ned and Pietro came in for their share.
“Mother and I have been talking over my wedding plans,” said Lolita, blushing a little, “Mother has a wonderful idea.”
The others listened eagerly as the pretty aerialist went on to say that Mrs. Flanders would like the wedding to take place soon—three days from then.
“This is partly because she wants her daughter and her new son-in-law in business with her,” Lolita explained.
Pietro looked puzzled. “In business?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Lola Flanders, taking hold of the young clown’s hand. “I had a telephone call a little while ago from Nancy’s Aunt Eloise. The New York police have discovered that Sims’ Circus is a stock company and I own most of the stock.”
“Oh, that’s perfectly wonderful,” Nancy said, delighted.
Pietro asked how Sims figured in the deal. Lola Flanders told him that at one period, when the circus was about to fold up, Lolita’s father had bought the major portion of the stock. Kroon knew this and kept reminding young Mr. Sims of the fact whenever he stayed around the circus too long.
The ringmaster had confidentially told him that it was still a mystery as to whether Lola Flanders was alive. Some day she might show up and claim her rightful share. Since young Sims knew little about the running of a circus, he had gladly left this to the stronger-willed Kroon.
Pietro suddenly kissed his future mother-in-law. Then he said, “Bad as Mr. Kroon was, I certainly have him to thank for one thing. Sims’ is still a fine circus.”
“Indeed it is,” said Lolita. “Mother, wait until you see a performance.”
Nancy asked what had happened to the Vascon troupe. Lolita said that when Rosa had been unable to perform, Mr. Kroon had discharged the whole equestrian troupe. Suddenly Lolita looked at Nancy.
“Oh,” she said, “it would be so wonderful if they would come back and we could have a full performance the night of the wedding. Nancy, would you ride in Rosa’s place?”
The girl detective smiled and said she would be very happy to take part in the act.
The night of the gala performance Nancy’s family and friends sat in Box AA, with Señor Roberto, who had fully recovered from his injuries. Bess whispered to George:
“This is so marvelous I could cry. It’s the best mystery Nancy ever solved.”
“It was swell,” George agreed. “But you just wait. Another good mystery will come Nancy’s way and I’ll bet it won’t be long, either.”
George was right! Nancy had hardly recovered from her days at the circus when she was confronted with The Scarlet Slipper Mystery.
During the evening, it seemed as though each performer outdid himself. Nancy herself felt as if she had never done her stunt riding so well. The wedding plans had been announced to the audience, and after the finale, everyone stayed in his seat.
The happy bride and her real prince were married in the great circus ring. Then, as they walked out together smiling, to the tune of the Mendelssohn march, the applause was thunderous.
A reception had been arranged in the cafeteria tent. In one corner on a large table the wedding gifts were displayed. Prominent among them was the picture of Nancy Drew, standing on a horse in her circus costume. Lola Flanders had asked Eloise Drew for it. A little later the radiant bride said to Nancy:
“This will be a constant reminder of the most wonderful girl I have ever met!”
Then Lolita held up her arm on which she was wearing the beautiful horse-charm bracelet.
“Are you sure you want me to have this as a wedding gift?” she asked Nancy.