HB 011 Three Ring Terror

7/22/2019 HB 011 Three Ring Terror

1/52

ABC Amber Palm Converter

http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html

C:\Sweta\ebooks\hardy boyz1\Hardy Boyz1\HB 011 Three Ring Terror.pdb

PDB a!e: HB 011 - Three Rin TerrorCreator "D: R!A"PDB Type: T!#t

#ersion: 0$ni%&e "D Seed: 0Creation Date: $/1%/1&'(

'odi(i)ation Date: $/1%/1&'(*ast Ba)k&p Date:: 1/1/1&'0

'odi(i)ation &!ber: 0

The Har") Bo)s: Three Rin Terror *111

Chapter 1

+,lin a )ster)

Chet )o,re reall) serio,s abo,t learnin to become a clown arent

)o, 2ran3 Har") sai" to his 4rien".

5e4initel)6 Chet orton exclaime". He rea"7,ste" the 4,88) orane wi

on his hea". A h,e rin sprea" across his wi"e painte" re" clown

mo,th. Circ,s 9niversit)better 3nown as Circ,s 9.is the biestthin to hit Ba)port in )ears.

That cost,mes prett) bi too 2ran3s )o,ner brother +oe sai"

with a smile. +oe shoo3 his hea" as he stare" at the pol3a-"otte" clown

cost,me Chet wore. The cost,me ha" h,e balloonin arms an" les an" a

bi white pleate" collar. Chet;s a bi ,) to bein with +oe

re4lecte" an" that cost,me ma3es him loo3 even bier.


2/52



2ran3 peere" thro,h a crac3 in the re" c,rtain to his riht.

=hats happenin o,t there Chet as3e" stan"in on tiptoe to loo3

over 2ran3s sho,l"er.

a,h now b,t once ?m "one ta3in these classes

at Circ,s 9. theres a chance ? miht some"a) o to the ,niversit)

4,ll time to become a real clown.

A real clown 2ran3 as3e" pointin at Chets cost,me. =hat are )o,

now A 4a3e clown

o. ? mean )es. Come on ,)s ive me a brea3.

2ran3 la,he" an" +oe sai" 3a) Chet well la) o44. Tell ,s abo,t

Circ,s 9.

Circ,s 9niversit) trains the top circ,s per4ormers Chet explaine".

ost o4 the per4ormers )o,re seein to"a) ot their start at Circ,s

9.

People act,all) st,") to "o this 2ran3 as3e" pointin to a nearb)

7,ler. Cant )o, learn all these tric3s on )o,r own

The tric3s loo3 easier than the) reall) are Chet sai". o, have to

learn how to "o these tric3s correctl) an" sa4el). Circ,s 9. teaches

)o, ever)thin there is to 3now7,lin clownin trape8e hih wire

the wor3s. An" it brins in o,tsi"e per4ormers to teach the st,"ents

people who are 4amo,s 4or their wor3 in circ,ses all across the

co,ntr).

Prett) impressive +oe sai". =hats the connection between Circ,s 9.

an" the circ,s thats per4ormin to"a) he as3e".

Circ,s 9. is base" in 2lori"a b,t it travels aro,n" the co,ntr) 4or

several months each )ear o44erin classes to hih school st,"ents who

miht be intereste" in becomin circ,s per4ormers some "a) Chet

explaine". Circ,s 9. travels with the ontero Brothers Circ,s so that4,ll-time st,"ents an" part-timers li3e me can see what its li3e to

wor3 with a real circ,s.

=hen the ontero Brothers Circ,s leaves Ba)port will Circ,s 9. o

with it 2ran3 as3e".

Chet no""e" his hea" )es an" his orane wi nearl) 4ell o44. He reache"

,p to straihten it. B,t some o4 the 4ac,lt) will hea" bac3 to 2lori"a

to et rea") 4or sprin semester.

2ran3 peere" thro,h the re" c,rtains aain. The per4ormance in the

arena was comin to an en". The crow" was ivin the circ,s per4ormers




3/52



a stan"in ovation an" the appla,se an" cheers were ettin lo,"er.

44 to 2ran3s riht a television camera was catchin the last bows o4

the circ,s per4ormers.

o, ,)s sho,l" come bac3 tomorrow an". watch the whole show 4rom o,t

4ront Chet sho,te" over the noise o4 the crow".

a)be we will +oe sai". ? never ot to see the clown acts toniht.

=ho are all these ,ests bac3stae 2ran3 as3e" Chet as the) move"

bac3 towar" the re4reshment table. 5o the) wor3 4or the circ,s or are

the) st,"ents at Circ,s 9.

Both Chet sai". The circ,s is hostin this openin-niht reception

4or their per4ormers an" Circ,s 9. emplo)ees an" st,"ents. There are

also some Circ,s 9. D?Ps here an" ,ests 4rom the comm,nit).

@o when "o )o, start school +oe as3e". o, m,st be prett) excite".

o, bet Chet aree". ? start tomorrow. A whole wee3 o4 trainin

with the best clown teachers in the b,siness. ? cant wait.

? cant believe )o,re spen"in the whole wee3 o4 winter vacation

learnin to become a clown +oe sai" sha3in his hea".

He) isnt that what vacations 4orclownin aro,n" Chet as3e"

rinnin.

+oe la,he" ? ,ess )o,re riht.

Chet reache" "own ,n"er the table. >oo3 what the ,niversit) ave me.He hel" ,p a re" white an" bl,e tote ba. The wor"s Circ,s

9niversit) were printe" on the si"e o4 the ba in briht orane

letterin. ?ts 4or m) clown ear he explaine". An" ? et to 3eep

the clown s,it a4ter m) classes are over.

A wee3 o4 Chet actin li3e a clown 2ran3 sai" to +oe. =hat are we

in 4or

+oe no""e". ? 3now what )o, mean he sai". >ets 7,st hope he sta)s

4ar awa) 4rom ,s when hes learnin the selt8er tric3.

The bac3stae area was beinnin to 4ill ,p with per4ormers an" ,ests.

?" better et bac3 to wor3 Chet sai" stowin his tote ba bac3

,n"er the table. ? wo,l" hate to have Bo Costello see me oo4in o44

when ?m s,ppose" to be han"in o,t re4reshments.

=hos Bo Costello +oe wante" to 3now.

) boss Chet explaine". He p,lle" a ba o4 ice 4rom ,n"er the table

an" starte" 4illin ,p a pitcher with 4resh p,nch.

o,r boss is name" Bo Costello 2ran3 sai".

=ell hes not m) boss exactl) Chet sai". Can ? et )o, ,)s some

p,nch he as3e". A so"a


4/52



Thats o3a) 2ran3 sai". =e were in )o,r wa). He leane" "own to

pic3 ,p a ball that ha" 4allen at his 4eet b,t the 7,ler rabbe" the

ball o44 the 4loor be4ore 2ran3 co,l" to,ch it. @hovin the balls into

the poc3ets o4 his ba) reen pants the 7,ler then E,ic3l) ro,n"e"

the table to 4in" another ball that ha" rolle" ,n"erneath it.

@o what 3in" o4 classes are )o, ta3in +oe t,rne" to as3 Chet.

>ets see. +,lin o4 co,rse. An" some maic tric3s. Theres a

ma3e,p class too.

=hile Chet went on 2ran3 steppe" aro,n" to the si"e o4 the table. He

spotte" the 7,ler 3neelin on the ro,n" behin" the table. ?ts

riht there 2ran3 tol" him pointin to the ball that was l)in next

to Chets Circ,s 9. ba.

B,t the 7,ler "i"nt hear him an" 2ran3 E,ic3l) 4i,re" o,t wh). He

was too b,s) ri4lin thro,h Chets ba6

Chapter F

A Circ,s Co"e

He)6


5/52



Riht +oe sai" with a no". eet )o, at Chets table in 4i4teen

min,tes. He t,rne" an" h,rrie" bac3 towar" the re" velvet c,rtain.

2ran3 E,ic3l) hea"e" to his le4t in the "irection o4 the exit sin. As

soon as he p,she" the "oor open a blast o4 col" "amp air reete" him.

2ran3 shivere" in his wet shirt which ha" been "renche" with p,nch.

The 5ecember niht was bris3 an" it 4elt as i4 it miht snow. 2ran3

circle" the arena par3in lot passin between par3e" cars an" loo3in

,n"erneath them. @treetlihts at corners o4 the lot ave o44 some

liht b,t not eno,h 4or 2ran3 to sp) the 7,ler. 2inall) he chec3e"

his watch an" saw that his 4i4teen min,tes were ,p. Time to meet +oe

he tho,ht with 4r,stration an" he "i"nt have an)thin soli" to

report. The 7,ler ha" escape".

2ran3 h,rrie" bac3 into the b,il"in. He co,l" at least 4in" o,t what

i4 an)thin was missin 4rom Chets ba. Then the) co,l" report the

the4t to the Circ,s 9. a,thorities. ?4 the 7,ler was with the circ,s

or a st,"ent at Circ,s 9. the)" 4in" him soon eno,h.

His brother was waitin 4or him on the other si"e o4 the c,rtain.

o l,c3 +oe as3e" when he saw the loo3 o4 "isappointment on 2ran3s

4ace.

2ran3 shoo3 his hea". How abo,t )o, he as3e".

? chec3e" a co,ple o4 storae rooms an" the mens loc3er room.othin. The ,) "isappeare". >ets 4in" o,t what he too3 he

s,este" lea"in the wa) bac3 to the re4reshment table.

Chet ha" rihte" the table moppe" ,p the mess an" one bac3 to

po,rin p,nch an" so"as 4or the thirst) crow". !ver) once in a while he

stoppe" to rea"7,st his wi. He) what happene" Chet calle" o,t when

he spotte" 2ran3 an" +oe. 5i" )o, 4in" that ,)

o l,c3 2ran3 answere" leanin "own to pic3 ,p Chets Circ,s 9.

tote ba. B,t ? saw him with his han"s in )o,r ba.

o,re 3i""in Chet sai" reachin 4or the ba. ? hope none o4 m)

Circ,s 9. st,44 is one.

=hats this 2ran3 as3e" as he 4elt a ro,n" metallic ob7ect

,n"erneath a pair o4 Chets 7eans. He p,lle" the ob7ect o,t o4 the ba.

?t was a reen st,""e" ball.

Thats 7,st li3e the ball the 7,ler lost ,n"er the table +oe sai".

Riht 2ran3 sai" hol"in ,p the ball. ?t was the si8e o4 a so4tball

b,t m,ch heavier. 5otte" all alon the o,tsi"e were penn)-si8e ems

that loo3e" li3e rhinestones. =ith his other han" 2ran3 passe" the

tote ba over to Chet. Chec3 to see i4 theres an)thin missin he

tol" his 4rien".

Chet no""e" an" starte" oin thro,h his ba. +oe reache" 4or the ball

an" ave 2ran3 a E,i88ical loo3. The E,estion is whats it "oin in

Chets ba he as3e" his brother.

2ran3 shr,e". o, ot me. B,t the 7,ler m,st have ha" some reason

4or stashin this ball in Chets ba. He too3 the ball bac3 4rom +oe

an" contin,e" to examine it.

Chet hel" ,p his tote ba. !ver)thins here incl,"in m) wallet he

tol" 2ran3 an" +oe. Thats weir" isnt it2ran3 ran his han"s over the em-st,""e" ball. ?t s,re is. B,t its an

important cl,e too he sai".

=h) Chet wante" to 3now.

?t means were not "ealin with some common croo3 +oe tol" him.

=ell i4 hes hot a common croo3 then who is he Chet as3e".

Thats what we have to 4in" o,t 2ran3 sai". He tho,ht 4or a moment.

>ets as3 aro,n". @ee i4 an)one 3nows who the 7,ler is.

@orr) ?m late a mans voice calle" o,t. 2ran3 t,rne" aro,n" an" saw

a clown "resse" li3e Chet in a bl,e an" white pol3a-"otte" s,it an" an




6/52



orane wi stan"in b) the table. He was abo,t the same heiht as Chet

an" loo3e" to be in his earl) twenties. The names Carl ash the man

tol" Chet in a cheer4,l so,thern "rawl. ?m here to relieve )o, all.

?m Chet orton Chet sai". He loo3e" at his watch. Bo tol" me

someone wo,l" show ,p to ta3e over riht abo,t now.

ash rinne" as he loo3e" aro,n" the bac3stae area. ?ts prett) b,s)

isnt it ?" better et starte" po,rin p,nch 4or these thirst)

people he sai". =ith that ash e"e" his wa) past 2ran3 an"

statione" himsel4 behin" the table. He too3 a E,ic3 loo3 at the ball in

2ran3s han" smile" an" "rawle" slowl) i4t) prop. Are )o, all

Circ,s 9. st,"ents 4rom Ba)port too

?nstea" o4 answerin Carl ashs E,estion 2ran3 sai" ne o4 the

7,lers m,st have lost a ball.


7/52



at the e"e o4 a room 4ille" with circ,s props.

=h) are we stoppin as3e" his brother.

=e nee" to plan o,r strate) 2ran3 replie". How were oin to 4in"

o,t who that 7,ler was wh) he le4t this2ran3 hel" ,p the em-

st,""e" ballin Chet;s ba an" what it all means.

Chet bit his lip tho,ht4,ll) smearin his re" ma3e,p. =h) "ont we

7,st t,rn the ball in to the circ,s o44icials an" let them ta3e care o4

4in"in o,t the answers to all those E,estions.

Come on Chet +oe sai". =heres )o,r sense o4 a"vent,re

o, two are the "etectives Chet replie". ?m here to learn how to

be a clown not to solve m)steries.

B,t 2ran3 an" ? will nee" )o,r help +oe pointe" o,t. o,re in a

per4ect position to s,ppl) ,s with in4o on the people here.

>oo3 )o, ,)s Chet went on sha3in his hea" in exasperation.

5ont mess thins ,p 4or me o3a) ?4 )o, start snoopin aro,n" here

the circ,s people miht not li3e it an" then ? co,l" be in tro,ble.

=ait a min,te 2ran3 sai". @ince when have we p,t solvin a case

above o,r 4rien"ship

Chet 4rowne" slihtl). ever ? ,ess. B,t "ont "o it now either

o3a)

5eal 2ran3 sai" reachin o,t to sha3e Chet;s han". The pol3a-"otte"sleeve o4 Chet;s cost,me 4lappe" wil"l) as 2ran3 p,mpe" Chet;s han".

@o tell ,s 2ran3 contin,e" who sho,l" we tal3 to tomorrow to 4in"

o,t who that 7,ler is

Chet shoo3 his hea" an" shr,e". o, ot me. @o 4ar ?ve onl) met Bo

Costello. o, co,l" as3 him ? ,ess.

@o,n"s oo" to me. Have )o, ot an) i"eas +oe 2ran3 as3e" his

brother.

>ets ta3e another loo3 at the ball +oe s,este". a)be theres

somethin abo,t it we misse" the 4irst time we loo3e" at it.

Tr,e 2ran3 sai" sE,intin at the ball. This ma) be an or"inar)

prop b,t who 3nows

He hel" the ball ,p to the liht. The white ems loo3e" li3e

rhinestones or lass b,t he too3 o,t his poc3et3ni4e an" scrape" at

each one o4 them 7,st to be s,re. The ems 4la3e" awa) ,n"er the

press,re o4 the 3ni4e. That tells ,s one thin at least.

=hats that Chet as3e".

The ems arent real +oe explaine" to Chet. therwise the 3ni4e

wo,l"nt have scratche" them.

2ran3 loo3e" at the ball care4,ll) aain. This time he saw a thin seam

r,nnin aro,n" the mi""le o4 the ball. ? thin3 ?ve 4o,n" somethin

he tol" +oe pointin o,t the seam.

Tr) twistin the ball to see i4 it opens +oe s,este".

2ran3 t,rne" the ball over in his han"s. @,re eno,h +oe was riht.

The two halves t,rne" an" the ball poppe" open. A small 4ol"e"-,p piece

o4 paper 4ell o,t an" 4l,ttere" to the ro,n".

+oe pic3e" ,p the paper an" ,n4ol"e" it. =eir" he sai" han"in the

paper to his brother. 5e4initel) weir".2ran3 loo3e" at the paper. n it were three pairs o4 letters with

n,mbers written on them.

GAre )o, thin3in what ?m thin3in6 +oe as3e" his brother.

2ran3 no""e". ?t loo3s li3e weve 7,st 4o,n" some 3in" o4 co"e"

messae6

Chapter (

The H,man Cannonball

=ell what "o )o, 3now +oe sai" loo3in at the slip o4 paper. ?

et the 4eelin o,r 7,ler 4rien" le4t ,s with more o4 a m)ster) than




8/52



we tho,ht.

? won"er what this co"e means Chet sai" ta3in the paper 4rom +oe

an" rea"in the 4i,res 1FF0 10( an" F1I. Thats a strane set o4

n,mbers he remar3e".

An" loo3 at the letters next to them 2ran3 sai" pointin. C +>


9/52



4rien" wasnt wearin his clown cost,me b,t ha" his Circ,s 9. tote ba

with him. =e sho,l"nt 7,mp to an) concl,sions +oe sai". At least

not ,ntil we as3 aro,n" an" 4in" o,t 7,st who this ,) is.

2ran3 steere" the van into the arena par3in lot. =e still nee" to

4in" o,t what the messae means he sai". An" wh) he "roppe" the ball

in )o,r ba.

The ball6 +oe exclaime" slappin his 4orehea" with his palm. =e

le4t it at home.

2ran3 shot his brother a loo3 as he switche" o44 the inition. o,

mean )o, le4t it at home.

o, were the one who r,she" me o,t o4 the ho,se +oe proteste". ?4

)o, ha"nt overslept this wo,l"nt have happene".

He) ,)s Chet sai" crawlin over the seat to 4ollow +oe o,t the

passener si"e o4 the van. ?ts no bi "eal. o, can o home an" et

it a4ter 5ean T,rners speech.

=hos 5ean T,rner 2ran3 as3e".

Hes the "ean o4 Circ,s 9. Chet answere".

Hes ivin a speech this mornin abo,t Circ,s 9. 4or st,"ents an"

,ests. An" then hes oin to per4orm a tric3 he ,se" to be 4amo,s

4or.

h reat +oe sai" absentl). He was still ma" at himsel4 4or leavinthe 7,lers ball in his room. He co,l" see it now sittin on top o4

his "es3 where he" le4t it the niht be4ore.

5ean T,rners oin to be shot o,t o4 a cannon Chet sai". ?snt

that neat

5e4initel) 2ran3 sai". He loo3e" at his brother who was starin o44

into space a l,m expression on his 4ace. 2oret abo,t the ball +oe.

=e "ont reall) nee" it to 4in" o,t who the m)ster) 7,ler is.

? ,ess )o,re riht +oe aree" rel,ctantl). All we reall) have to

"o is "escribe the ball an" see i4 an)one with the ontero Brothers

Circ,s or Circ,s 9. 3nows a ,) who wears reen rhinestone-covere"

pants an" a bl,e wi an" 7,les em-st,""e" balls.

!xactl) 2ran3 sai". ?t 7,st means a little more lewor3.

>ets move it Chet ,re" loo3in at his watch. =eve onl) ot

4i4teen min,tes be4ore 5ean T,rners speech.

The Har")s an" Chet hea"e" across the par3in lot. Chet le" them aro,n"

to the bac3 o4 the Ba)port Arena. ?t was col" o,t b,t the s,n shone

brihtl) re4lectin o44 the star3 white walls o4 the h,e ro,n"

"ome" b,il"in.

=here are we oin +oe as3e" as Chet opene" a "oor mar3e" Private.

This is the entrance to the arenas o44ices an" m,ltip,rpose rooms

Chet explaine" as the) steppe" into the b,il"in. ? want to ive )o, a

E,ic3 to,r o4 o,r classrooms.

Chet t,rne" le4t an" le" the Har")s "own a hallwa) that c,rve" past a

ban3 o4 elevators.

This is where we learn ma3e,p Chet sai" pointin to a room on their

le4t. He opene" the "oor to the next room. An" heres the prop

classroom.+oe saw the room was 4,ll o4 woo" paint an" wor3tables. There was

even a h,e table saw an" "rill. The room loo3e" a lot li3e his shop

class in school. o, have to ma3e )o,r own props he as3e".

Chet no""e". !ver) clown learns how to ma3e his or her own props.

Thats part o4 b,il"in a clown character.

2ran3 let o,t a whistle. Bo) )o,re serio,s abo,t this clownin

thin arent )o,

Chet rinne". As serio,s as an) clown can be.

The) contin,e" "own the hall. =hen the) reache" the elevators Chet




10/52



sai" 5own the rest o4 the hallwa) are the o44ices 4or arena emplo)ees

an" the o44ices Circ,s 9. people are ,sin. The circ,s animals are also

3ept "own here. The elevators lea" to the arena an" loc3er rooms.

? searche" aro,n" the loc3er rooms an" "own here when ? was loo3in

4or the 7,ler last niht +oe sai".

The Har")s an" Chet ro"e one o4 the passener elevators ,p to the main

4loor. The) wal3e" "own a short hallwa) towar" "o,ble lass "oors that

sai" !ntrance to Arena.

=hen the) steppe" thro,h the "oors the) 4o,n" themselves at the top

o4 the last aisle o4 seats. =a) below them were the three circ,s rins.

A cannon was place" in the mi""le o4 the center rin an" there was a

po"i,m next to it. The seats were beinnin to 4ill ,p with 4amilies

an" st,"ents. @ome o4 the st,"ents were "resse" in leotar"s an"

sweatshirts an" ha" Circ,s 9. tote bas with them.

>ets et a oo" seat Chet ,re". ? want to be ,p close.

ot too close 2ran3 sai" with a rin. =e "ont want 5ean T,rner to

come 4l)in riht at ,s.

The three 4rien"s too3 seats in the thir" row o4 the center section.

+oe notice" that there was a sa4et) net str,n ,p in 4ront o4 the seats

on his riht an" that the cannon was pointe" at the net. He n,"e"

2ran3 an" pointe" to the net. +,st in case )o, were reall) worrie"that we" be hit b) the h,man cannonball he sai" smilin.

@oon the bleachers aro,n" them were 4,ll o4 st,"ents an" parents with

)o,n chil"ren.

How man) st,"ents are there at Circ,s 9. +oe as3e" Chet.

Chet scanne" the crow". There are ten 4rom Ba)port Hih. ?m not s,re

how man) 4,ll-timers are internin with the ontero Brothers Circ,s.

+,st then a short thin man with "ar3 hair an" lasses steppe" ,p to

the po"i,m. He was wearin a twee" coat an" brown slac3s. +oe tho,ht

he loo3e" almost li3e a collee pro4essor. Thats 5ean T,rner +oe

as3e" Chet in a whisper.

Chet shr,e". ? ,ess so. ?ve never met him. ?ve onl) seen his

pict,re in the Circ,s 9. catalo.

Hes not exactl) the 3in" o4 ,) )o," expect to be shot 4rom a

cannon is he 2ran3 as3e" +oe.

The crow" rew E,iet as the "ean bean to spea3. ?" li3e to welcome

)o, all here to"a). ?m Pa,l T,rner "ean o4 Circ,s 9niversit) an" a

member o4 the boar" o4 "irectors o4 the ontero Brothers Circ,s. =ere

ver) pro," to have )o, here 4or this ann,al open ho,se. Ba)port has

alwa)s welcome" the circ,s an" Circ,s 9. an" were la" to have this

chance to than3 )o,.

2or the next 4ew min,tes T,rner explaine" the p,rpose o4 Circ,s 9. 4or

the crow" o4 st,"ents an" Ba)port resi"ents. At the en" o4 his speech

he tol" them Please 4eel 4ree to sta).an" watch the circ,s per4ormers

rehearse an" to as3 the st,"ents an" per4ormers whatever E,estions )o,

have. There will be circ,s per4ormances all wee3 an" ? hope )o, will

want to atten" at least one. 5ean T,rner smile". The per4ormance

2ri"a) niht sho,l" be partic,larl) excitin beca,se the Ba)port Hihst,"ents will be per4ormin alon with the circ,s per4ormers.

A b,88 o4 excitement ran thro,h the a,"ience. 2ran3 an" +oe t,rne" an"

loo3e" at Chet. 5i" )o, 3now that was oin to happen +oe whispere".

Chet no""e" an" smile" happil). An" )o, ,)s ha" better be there.

An" now witho,t 4,rther a"o 5ean T,rner contin,e" ?" li3e to

show )o, all a tric3 ? ,se" to per4orm bac3 in m) pro4essional circ,s

"a)s be4ore ? became the "ean at Circ,s 9.

? cant believe hes oin to et in that cannon with his twee" 7ac3et

on +oe sai".




11/52



B,t T,rner ha" steppe" bac3 4rom the po"i,m an" remove" his 7ac3et. He

rolle" ,p the sleeves o4 his shirt an" straihtene" his bow tie.

earb) a man in a t,xe"o sittin at a "r,m set bean to pla) a snare

"r,m. T,rner bowe" to the a,"ience an" wal3e" slowl) towar" the cannon.

Thats one o4 the thins ? love abo,t the circ,s +oe whispere". The

s,spense.

@hh Chet sai". ? cant concentrate.

=hen T,rner reache" the la""er that le" ,p to the cannons mo,th he

t,rne" to the crow".

5ont tr) this at home he 7o3e". This st,nt reE,ires special

trainin. The 3in" o4 trainin a place li3e Circ,s 9. o44ers in 4act.

He t,rne" an" bean to climb the la""er. =hen he ot to the top he

rabbe" the rim o4 the cannon an" hoiste" himsel4 4eet4irst into the

barrel. Two men in circ,s bla8ers remove" the la""er. Then a tall woman

with lon brown hair steppe" across the rin to the en" o4 the cannon.

A lon 4,se reache" o,t o4 the cannon an" traile" to the ro,n". The

woman lit the 4,se with a 4lo,rish an" it bean to b,rn sen"in o,t

spar3s.

ext to him +oe hear" Chet "raw in his breath. He lance" over at his

4rien". Chet was sittin on the e"e o4 the bleacher watchin ever)

move. As the 4,se came closer to the cannon Chet;s e)es wi"ene".Then in a 4lash the 4,se went o44 lihtin the ,npow"er insi"e the

cannon. A h,e boom explo"e" 4rom the barrel an" smo3e came po,rin

o,t.

The crow" let o,t a asp. +oe waite" to see T,rner shoot 4rom the

cannons barrel b,t nothin happene". ore an" more smo3e appeare"

b,t there was still no sin o4 the "ean.

Then he hear" the so,n" o4 co,hin comin 4rom the cannon an" 5ean

T,rners voice cr) o,t Help6 @omeone help me6

Chapter I

The 5isappearin +,ler

2ran3 7,mpe" ,p 4rom his seat an" race" "own the aisle ahea" o4 +oe an"

Chet. As he h,rrie" across the rin to the cannon he hear" 5ean

T,rners cries 4or help row wea3er an" wea3er.

Help him6 a man in the a,"ience sho,te". Hell s,44ocate in there6

2ran3 saw that the man was riht. @mo3e was po,rin o,t o4 the cannons

mo,th now 4illin the area with a smell) bl,ish ha8e.

The tall woman who ha" lit the 4,se was stan"in b) the cannon a

worrie" expression on her 4ace. 2ran3 E,ic3l) trie" to thin3 o4 a plan.

The cannon was a oo" ten 4eet above the ro,n".

Help T,rner sai" 4aintl). ? cant last m,ch ...

At that moment +oe an" Chet came ,p to 2ran3. =hats the matter +oe

as3e". =h) cant he et o,t b) himsel4

? thin3 hes been overcome b) smo3e 2ran3 sai". He co,he" an"

a""e" =eve ot to thin3 o4 a wa) to et him o,t o4 there4ast.

He 4anne" the smo3e awa) 4rom his 4ace co,hin several times as h,e

billows 3ept po,rin o,t o4 the cannon. +oe was r,bbin his e)es an"

Chet ha" his han" over his mo,th.2ran3 motione" 4or +oe to hol" bac3 the crow" that ha" 4orme" aro,n"

them. A short wir) ol"er man stoo" b) scowlin. 5o somethin bo)s

he snappe". r let someone else ta3e over.

=h) "ont )o, "o somethin +oe m,ttere" anril).

Chet rabbe" +oes arm. Thats Bo Costello "irector o4 a"missions at

Circ,s 9. he tol" +oe in a harsh whisper. Jeep cool.

+oe Chet 2ran3 calle" o,t s,""enl).


12/52



,p aainst the mo,th o4 the cannon an" hel" it in place as 2ran3

scramble" ,p the r,ns.

The smo3e ha" thinne" o,t a little. =hen 2ran3 reache" the cannons

mo,th he co,l" see T,rner l)in on his stomach "eep insi"e the cannon.

2ran3 "esperatel) hope" the "ean was still conscio,s. He stretche" his

arm "own into the "ar3 barrel.

5ean T,rner can )o, reach m) han" he as3e". There was no repl).

2ran3 waite" an anxio,s moment then he 4elt T,rners 4iners meet his.

Hol" tiht 2ran3 sai". ?m oin to p,ll )o, o,t.

He lance" "own an" saw that his brother an" Chet were hol"in the

la""er sec,rel). 2ran3 leane" into the barrel an" p,lle" 5ean T,rners

han"har".

2ran3 co,he" at the trails o4 smo3e that 3ept comin o,t o4 the

barrel. n three he sai". ne. Two. Three. 2ran3 p,t all his

strenth into his rip an" p,lle". He 4elt T,rner come sli"in towar"

him. 2ran3 steppe" "own two r,ns an" p,lle" the "ean o,t o4 the

cannon. T,rner was sha3in b,t he slowl) ma"e his wa) "own the la""er

with 2ran3 behin" him.

=hen the) reache" the 4loor 2ran3 le" 5ean T,rner over to a seat in

the 4irst row. A tall man h,rrie" over to them carr)in a portable

ox)en tan3.?m the circ,s "octor he tol" 2ran3. ?ll ta3e over now. 5o )o,

nee" some ox)en

2ran3 shoo3 his hea" an" steppe" awa). He too3 a 4ew "eep breaths an"

bean to 4eel better.

ice wor3 +oe sai" comin ,p to him. a)be the circ,s co,l"

4eat,re )o, in one o4 their acts2ran3 Har") the "are"evil resc,er.

Then he loo3e" at his brother an" a""e" in a serio,s tone o, s,re

)o,re o3a) 2ran3

?m 4ine 2ran3 replie". ? 7,st hope 5ean T,rners o3a).

The Har")s wal3e" over to where 5ean T,rner was sittin. He was hol"in

an ox)en mas3 over his 4ace. =hen the "ean saw 2ran3 he remove" the

mas3 an" smile". Than3 )o, )o,n man he sai". o, save" m) li4e.

?m 7,st la" )o,re all riht 2ran3 sai". The "ean no""e" then sat

bac3 in his chair an" close" his e)es. 2ran3 t,rne" to +oe. >ets 4in"

o,t what happene" to that cannon. As soon as 2ran3 an" +oe reache"

the cannon Chet came ,p to them. He was carr)in a 4ire extin,isher.

? 4o,n" it bac3stae he tol" them han"in the extin,isher to 2ran3.

ets wait ,ntil hes recovere" 2ran3 s,este". The crow" that ha"




13/52



athere" aro,n" the "ean was startin to thin o,t. Bo Costello was

tellin the a,"ience that re4reshments were bein serve" in the 4o)er.

As the crow" le4t 2ran3 notice" that the tall brown-haire" woman was

sittin next to T,rner an" spea3in to him in a lo," voice. He inche"

closer to hear what she was sa)in.

ow are )o, oin to listen to me she was as3in in a hih voice.

=hat more is it oin to ta3e be4ore )o, "o somethin

i3e the one last wee3 in Atlanta when the tier ot o,t o4 his cae

r two "a)s ao when the prop room ca,ht on 4ire ?ts a miracle

nobo")s been h,rt. =hen are )o, oin to reali8e that these arent

7,st acci"ents she "eman"e".

2ran3 motione" to +oe an" Chet an" whispere" to them what he ha" 7,st

overhear". ?t loo3s li3e Circ,s 9. has ha" more than its share o4

acci"ents latel) he sai".

Chet;s e)es wi"ene". =hew he sai" lettin o,t a lon breath. o,

thin3 its sabotae

Har" to sa) +oe sai" with a shr,. B,t we sho,l" "e4initel) tell

5ean T,rner abo,t the asoline. !speciall) i4 this isnt the 4irst time

somethins one wron at Circ,s 9.The three o4 them wal3e" ,p to 5ean T,rner. 2eelin better 2ran3

as3e" ta3in in the mans soot) 4ace an" "irt) clothes.

?m 4ine now 5ean T,rner sai" smilin. Than3s to )o,.

2ran3 pa,se" 4or a moment. Theres somethin )o, sho,l" 3now he sai"

4inall). He tol" the "ean abo,t 4in"in traces o4 oil an" asoline in

the barrel. ?t loo3s li3e someone wante" )o, to o ,p in smo3e 2ran3

4inishe".

The brown-haire" woman stare" at 2ran3 then t,rne" an" 4ace" 5ean

T,rner. @ee. ? tol" )o, so. ?4 this so-calle" acci"ent "oesnt ma3e

)o, ta3e action then ? will6 =ith that she ot ,p 4rom her seat an"

storme" o44.

o,ll have to exc,se m) assistant T,rner sai" as he watche" her

leave. @he can be temperamental.

=hat "i" she mean b) so-calle"; acci"ent +oe as3e".

T,rner sihe". i3e what 7,st happene" in the cannon Chet o44ere".

!xactl). T,rner reache" 4or his 7ac3et too3 his lasses o,t o4 the

poc3et an" p,t them on. Thats better. ow at least ? can see )o,

bo)s. Pa,l T,rner he sai" reachin o,t his han".

2ran3 Har") 2ran3 sai" sha3in T,rners han". This is m) brother

+oe an" o,r 4rien" Chet orton. Chet;s ta3in classes at Circ,s 9.

A bi smile appeare" on T,rners 4ace. Thats reat he sai" to Chet.

? 7,st hope this little event hasnt spoile" )o,r love 4or the circ,s.

Chet shoo3 his hea" vioro,sl). ot a chance.


14/52



=ere all ettin nervo,s the man a""e". The mans smooth "rawl

so,n"e" 4amiliar to 2ran3. Then he reali8e" who the man was: Carl ash.

=itho,t his clown ma3e,p 2ran3 ha"nt reconi8e" ash at 4irst. The

Circ,s 9. st,"ent ave the Har")s an" Chet a no" o4 reconition.

Carl ash an" +,stine >eone spea3 4or all the st,"ents ? thin3

Costello went on when the) express their worries abo,t what has been

happenin. As "ean o4 Circ,s 9. an" the manaer o4 this to,r o4 the

ontero Brothers Circ,s it is ,p to )o, to ta3e action.

T,rner sihe" an" ran his han"s thro,h his hair. 3a) Bo. ? et the

messae.

Costello stoo" with his han"s on his hips his small wir) 4rame

obvio,sl) tense. =e cant 3eep havin these acci"ents he insiste".

3a) o3a). T,rner sihe" in exasperation. Relax Bo. ?m sorr)

Carl +,stine he a""e" t,rnin to the st,"ents with a concerne"

loo3. =ell et to the bottom o4 this. ? promise.

2ran3 saw ashs e)es brihten a little an" a smile appear on his 4ace.

B,t +,stine ave Bo an insistent loo3.

Bo respon"e" to the loo3 b) sa)in to T,rner ?4 an)thin else oes

wron ?m oin to be the 4irst one to call the tr,stees o4 Circ,s 9.

an" the boar" o4 "irectors o4 the circ,s. ?ll even beat


15/52



=ell o3a) +oe sai". B,t no wa) will ? p,t on a clown cost,me.

T,rner shoo3 2ran3s han". oo3 aro,n" an" tell me i4 )o, see

an)thin s,spicio,s.

=e will +oe ass,re" him.

ow i4 )o,ll exc,se me T,rner sai" ? have to chane these

clothes an" et bac3 to wor3. =ith that 5ean T,rner ave the three

bo)s a no" an" hea"e" across the arena.

All riht6 Chet crie" slappin 2ran3 on the bac3. =elcome aboar".

>ets o. =e "ont want to be late 4or clownin class.

ot so 4ast 2ran3 sai". =e still nee" to 4in" o,t abo,t o,r m)ster)

7,ler.

@orr) Chet +oe a""e". =ell have to s3ip o,r 4irst class.

Thats not ver) responsible o4 )o, Chet sai" with a smile. B,t

o3a). Come b) later an" pic3 me ,p. =e can rab l,nch.

@o,n"s oo" 2ran3 sai" as Chet went o44.

Be care4,l +oe calle" o,t a4ter him. Clownins serio,s b,siness.

Chet la,he" an" bro3e into a r,n. =hen he was one 2ran3 4ace" his

brother an" sai" Rea") to 4in" o,r m)ster) 7,ler

+oe no""e". =here sho,l" we start

2ran3 loo3e" over at the rins. >ets tal3 to some people with theontero Brothers Circ,s. Chances are the m)ster) 7,ler is a 4,ll-

time per4ormer with the circ,s.

He co,l" have been a Circ,s 9. st,"ent +oe pointe" o,t.

Tr,e 2ran3 aree". B,t we have to start somewhere.

@everal min,tes later 2ran3 an" +oe ha" snea3e" past a ,ar" an" ta3en

the elevator "own to the bottom 4loor. !ven tho,h it was still earl)

the 4loor was alive with activit). The "o,ble "oors to the animal room

were open an" the Har")s co,l" see roomers 4ee"in seals an" washin

a bab) elephant. Per4ormers were b,stlin in an" o,t o4 the "ressin

rooms. 2ran3 as3e" a circ,s per4ormer wearin a leotar" an" sweatpants

where he miht 4in" the clowns. The woman "irecte" him to a rehearsal

room "own the hall. @he calle" it clown alle).

Clown alle) +oe sai" la,hin. Thats 4,nn).

Chet tol" me that the circ,s clowns alwa)s sta3e o,t a room where the)

han o,t toether an" rehearse 2ran3 sai". The clowns room came to

be 3nown as clown alle). He le" the wa) "own the hall in the "irection

the woman ha" pointe". @oon the) came to a lare room that containe"

"ressin tables an" a rac3 h,n with clown cost,mes. @everal men an"

women some in cost,mes an" some in street clothes were stan"in

aro,n" the room "rin3in c,ps o4 co44ee an" tal3in to each other.

!xc,se me 2ran3 sai" steppin into the room. Can ? as3 )o, a 4ew

E,estions

A re"-haire" man in 7eans an" a ontero Brothers Circ,s T-shirt loo3e"

2ran3 over. Abo,t what he wante" to 3now.

2ran3 intro",ce" himsel4 an" +oe to the man who sai" his name was +im

+acobs. 2ran3 "escribe" the m)ster) 7,ler to +acobs. 5oes he so,n"

4amiliar to )o, 2ran3 as3e". @omeone with the circ,s ma)be+acobs no""e". eah he sai". ? 3now exactl) who )o,re tal3in

abo,t. Theres onl) one ,) aro,n" here who wears ba) reen-stripe"

pants.

2ran3 4elt his excitement rowin. He exchane" a loo3 with +oe. ow

the) were ettin somewhere.

2,nn) )o, sho,l" be searchin 4or him tho,h +acobs went on

loo3in at the brothers c,rio,sl).

=h)s that 2ran3 as3e".

Beca,se ? am too +acobs explaine". ? ha" an appointment with him




16/52



a4ter the per4ormance last niht b,t he "i"nt show ,p. An" nobo")s

seen him this mornin. The ,) )o,re loo3in 4or has totall)

"isappeare"6

Chapter K

Chet Ta3es a


17/52



were all bo,ncin an" rollin on the ro,n".

+oe loo3e" at his brother. 2ran3s expression was a mixt,re o4

am,sement an" s)mpath). o, almost ha" it he sai" barel) hol"in

bac3 a smile. ext time "ont thin3.

>ets see )o, tr) +oe sai" passin the balls to 2ran3.

o than3s 2ran3 sai" hol"in ,p one han". ?ll pass on this one.

Come on 2ran3 +oe ,re". +,st "o it.

o,r brother here almost ha" the han o4 it +acobs sai".

2ran3 shoo3 his hea". =eve ot a class to o to.

Chic3en +oe whispere" ,n"er his breath. Then he sai" to +acobs

Than3s 4or the lesson.

o problem +acobs sai". Come bac3 an) time.

=ell "o that +oe tol" him as the) wal3e" awa). Than3s 4or settin

me ,p li3e that 2ran3. o,re a real pal.

2ran3 rinne" at his brother. o, "i" prett) well. ? "i"nt 3now )o,

co,l" 7,le.

+oe smile" wr)l). either "i" ?. ?ts ama8in what )o, can "o when )o,

tr). He ran his han"s thro,h his blon" hair an" tho,ht 4or a moment.

=ith Rosen one this case is shot.

ot necessaril). 2ran3 co,nte" o44 on his 4iners. ne the ,)

miht t,rn ,p. 2rom what +acobs sai" it so,n"s li3e he nee"s this 7ob.Two we still have the co"e to crac3. An" three theres the sabotae

to investiate. =ere not o,t o4 the b,siness )et.

>eave it to 2ran3 Har") to loo3 on the briht si"e. Come on. =e"

better et to Chet;s class.

2ran3 no""e". An" a4ter class ? thin3 we sho,l" as3 5ean T,rner some

more E,estions abo,t the sabotae. An" ? want to tal3 to his assistant


18/52



The tric3 here T,rner explaine" to the class is to preten" these

stic3s are 7,st another part o4 )o,r les. The) wont ben" he sai".

An" the) wont brea3 either.

? s,re hope not Chet sai" ta3in a small step.

+oe hel" his breath then let it o,t slowl) as T,rner let o o4 the

stilts. Chet starte" movin aro,n" the room. He wobble" an" the stilts

starte" sha3in ,n"er him. =ith ever) step he too3 it loo3e" as i4 he

miht 4all b,t then he bean to et the han o4 it.

He) +oe sai" watchin Chet wal3 aro,n" the room. Hes not ba".

? tol" )o, 2ran3 co,ntere".

As soon as the wor"s were o,t o4 2ran3s mo,th he hear" a )ell. 2ran3

an" +oe loo3e" over an" saw Chet swa)in bac3 an" 4orth. @everal

members o4 the class let o,t a asp. ne woman hel" her han" to her

mo,th.

Chet6 +oe sho,te" r,shin towar" his 4rien".

B,t be4ore +oe co,l" reach him he saw the stilt ,n"er Chet;s riht le

snap in hal4. ?t bro3e in two an" Chet 4ell to the ro,n" in a heap.

Chapter %

5ean T,rner;s 5ilemma

Chet6 2ran3 calle" o,t 4ollowin his brother to where Chet was l)in

on the 4loor. Are )o, all rihtAs +oe was p,llin Chet ,p Pa,l T,rner r,she" over to them. ?m so

sorr) he sai". ? sho,l" have been spottin )o, better.

Thats o3a) Chet answere" r,bbin his elbow an" rimacin. ? 7,st

4ell on m) 4,nn) bone thats all.

The rest o4 the class ha" crow"e" aro,n" loo3in at Chet to ma3e s,re

he wasnt h,rt.

5ean T,rner t,rne" to them an" anno,nce" ?ts o3a) ever)bo"). Can

)o, all please stan" bac3 an" ive ,s a little room

The class e"e" bac3 a bit an" 2ran3 p,t his arm aro,n" Chet. Are )o,

s,re )o,re all riht he as3e" in a concerne" tone.

Chet no""e" silentl) b,t his 4ace t,rne" slihtl) re". ?ts a little

embarrassin he con4esse" as he slowl) ot to his 4eet. ? mean

these stilts werent exactl) tall.

o,re not the 4irst clown to ta3e a 4all T,rner tol" him a smile

crossin his 4ace. An" )o, wont be the last.

5ean T,rners riht +oe sai" reass,rinl). =hats more important is

that )o,re o3a).

2ran3 spotte" the stilts l)in on the ro,n" next to Chet. The siht o4

one o4 them split clean in hal4 ma"e him won"er. =hat i4 Chets

acci"ent was another example o4 the sabotae at the circ,s

2ran3 went over to the bro3en stilt an" pic3e" it ,p. A E,ic3 lance at

it con4irme" his s,spicion. The stilt ha" obvio,sl) been sawn hal4wa)

thro,h.

He) +oe he calle" o,t to his brother. Chec3 this o,t.

+oe came over Chet at his si"e. =hen +oe too3 one loo3 at the stilt

he let o,t a low whistle. This was no acci"ent he sai". That

stilts been sawn partiall) thro,h.Chets e)es wi"ene" with 4ear. He swallowe" har" as he stare" at the

stilt. o, mean someone wante" that stilt to snap in hal4 he as3e"

in a sha3) voice.

Thats riht Chet 2ran3 sai" riml) examinin the saw mar3.

?s somethin wron bo)s 5ean T,rner as3e" appearin at 2ran3s

si"e.

2ran3 no""e". ?m a4rai" there is he sai" showin the stilt to

T,rner an" pointin o,t the saw mar3. 2ran3 saw a 4lash o4 alarm pass

over the "eans 4ace b,t T,rner recovere" E,ic3l) an" t,rne" to the




19/52



class.

=eve almost reache" the en" o4 o,r class time he sai" chec3in his

watch. ?m oin to "ismiss )o, earl) so )o, can have a short brea3

be4ore )o,r next class.

As the class 4ile" o,t T,rner 4ace" 2ran3. This was no acci"ent he

concl,"e". B,t who co,l" have "one this he a""e" in a "esperate

tone. An" wh)

5ont worr) 5ean T,rner Chet sai". 2ran3 an" +oe will 4in" o,t.

Than3s 4or the vote o4 con4i"ence +oe m,ttere".

=ho ha" access to these stilts 2ran3 as3e" pointin to them.

? collecte" them m)sel4 4rom the prop room this mornin T,rner tol"

him. Be4ore m) speech. ? "i"nt notice an)thin wron with them then

he a""e" wea3l).

@o the) were in here the whole time )o, were ma3in )o,r speech +oe

as3e".

? ass,me so T,rner sai". B,t ? reall) cant be s,re.

An" co,l" an)one have come into the classroom ",rin that time 2ran3

as3e".

Thats riht T,rner sai" so4tl). He loo3e" at the bro3en stilt an"

shoo3 his hea". h this is terrible. ? 7,st "ont 3now what to "o.

a)be )o, co,l" help ,s come ,p with a soli" lea" +oe sai" 4irml).>i3e the name o4 someone who miht have a reason to ca,se these

acci"ents.

T,rner sihe". ? cant thin3 o4 an)one o44han". >oo3 ? have to o

bac3 to m) o44ice now. ?m expectin a ver) important phone call. =h)

"ont )o, bo)s come b) in a 4ew min,tes =e can sit "own an" tal3 at

lenth abo,t these inci"ents.

i3e what Chet as3e".

=ell 5ean T,rner still hasnt tol" ,s how the other acci"ents

happene" 2ran3 sai". =e nee" to 3now all the 4acts be4ore we can

start to narrow in on a list o4 s,spects.

h ? reall) "ont li3e that wor" T,rner sai" sha3in his hea"

sa"l). @,spects so,n"s so so criminal. ? 7,st cannot believe

theres some 3in" o4 criminal r,nnin aro,n" here tr)in to sabotae

the circ,s. ?n 4act ? re4,se to believe it.

B,t )o,ve 7,st seen evi"ence that points to sabotae 2ran3 sai"

tr)in not to so,n" impatient. The "ean was a nice man 2ran3 tho,ht

b,t he "i"nt seem to have a cl,e abo,t what was oin on riht ,n"er

his nose.

o,r assistant sai" no one ha" otten h,rt +oe sai". B,t the next

victim miht not be so l,c3). He or she miht et more than a l,n4,l

o4 smo3e or a br,ise" elbow.

The "ean loo3e" at them 4or a moment. Then he no""e" abr,ptl) an" sai"L

All riht. Come to m) o44ice an" well tal3. He t,rne" an" hea"e" o,t

o4 the classroom.

=ell Chet sai" watchin the "ean wal3 awa) ? hate to leave )o,,)s in the l,rch li3e this b,t ? have to ta3e o44 too. ?m oin to

be late 4or m) clown ma3e,p class.

o, s,re )o,re o3a) 2ran3 as3e" him.

Chet r,bbe" his elbow an" la,he" a little. ?m 4ine reall). o, want

to have l,nch when m) class is over he as3e".

@,re 2ran3 sai" 3nowin how m,ch his 4rien" li3e" to eat. ?n 4act

he was ama8e" that Chet ha" one this lon witho,t stoppin to rab a

bite. =ell meet )o, in the arena a4ter )o,r class. =hat time

Abo,t an ho,r an" a hal4 Chet sai" t,rnin towar" the "oor. An"




20/52



oo" l,c3.

=ere oin to nee" it 2ran3 sai". !speciall) at the rate were

oin.

eah +oe aree". 2irst the 7,ler "isappears then it t,rns o,t

o,r list o4 s,spects 4or the person who c,t that stilt in hal4 incl,"es

ever)one appearin in the ontero Brothers Circ,s pl,s the st,"ents at

Circ,s 9.

The onl) people we can r,le o,t are the Ba)port Hih st,"ents 2ran3

sai". Beca,se the inci"ents starte" be4ore the circ,s arrive" in

Ba)port. He hea"e" 4or the "oor. >ets o tal3 to T,rner. Hes ot to

have some i"ea o4 who miht be o,t to et him or the circ,s.

? hope so +oe aree" startin o44 "own the hall.

o, 3now where were oin 2ran3 as3e".

@,re +oe sai" as he t,rne" riht at the elevators. Remember this

mornin Chet sai" this is where the Circ,s 9. o44ices were

2ran3 no""e" as he 4ollowe" +oe. The) passe" b) a "oor mar3e" with

ets tal3 abo,t possible s,spects 5ean T,rner he

sai" ettin riht to the point. Can )o, thin3 o4 an)one who miht

want to r,in )o,r rep,tation A4ter all )o,re not onl) "ean o4 Circ,s

9. b,t )o,re also manain the ontero Brothers Circ,s to,r this

)ear.

T,rner pa,se" 4or a moment. Then he sai" ? hate to s,est this b,t

i3e the tier ettin loose an" the prop room catchin on 4ire

2ran3 o44ere" rememberin the conversation he" overhear" between

T,rner an" his assistant.T,rner no""e" slowl). !xactl). B,t be4ore that happene" there was

also a small explosion in one o4 Bo Costellos classes.

=hat "o )o, mean b) a small explosion +oe as3e".

Bo was o,tsi"e teachin his st,"ents abo,t 4irewor3s T,rner

contin,e". @ome circ,ses ,se small 4irewor3s "ispla)s to 3eep the

crow"s entertaine" ",rin scene chanes. An)wa) he went on with a

small shr, there was a small ,ncontrolle" explosion. a)be the

st,"ents werent bein properl) s,pervise" altho,h Bo insists that

wasnt the case. An)wa) no one was h,rt. !n" o4 stor).




21/52



An" the tier ettin loose 2ran3 as3e" storin ,p the in4ormation

abo,t the explosion. How "i" that happen

Another visitin circ,s that was passin thro,h Atlanta lent ,s a

tiera traine" tier min" )o, T,rner sai". GThe 3eeper 4aile" to

sec,re its cae an" it ot loose. ?t was E,ite a scene as )o, can

imaine b,t we E,ic3l) capt,re" the animal.

An" the prop room +oe as3e".

The 4ire "epartment investiate" an" the) concl,"e" that someone ha"

le4t oil) ras an" saw",st too close to some asoline T,rner replie".

A ciarette b,tt ma) have been the ca,se o4 the 4ire. ? "ismisse" the

prop manaer an" we havent ha" another problem.

9ntil to"a) with Chet;s stilts 2ran3 pointe" o,t.

T,rner was silent 4or a moment. As )o, )o,rsel4 s,este" an)one

co,l" have one into the classroom an" sawn thro,h that stilt. ?m

ver) sorr) 4or what happene" to )o,r 4rien" tho,h he a""e" so4tl).

B,t )o, thin3


22/52



=hats wron 2ran3 sai".

That was the hea" tr,stee 4or Circ,s 9. T,rner sai" ",ll).

An" 2ran3 as3e".

T,rner swallowe" be4ore oin on. He sai" that


23/52



abo,t that ball he "roppe" in )o,r 4rien"s ba

+oe p,lle" a piece o4 paper o,t o4 his poc3et an" showe" T,rner the

co"e" messae. This was insi"e the ball he explaine" han"in over

the slip o4 paper.

A4ter T,rner scanne" the paper he lance" ,p at +oe with a E,estionin

loo3 in his e)es. 5o )o, have an) i"ea what this means he as3e".

Be4ore +oe co,l" answer 2ran3 spo3e ,p. Act,all) we "ont.

2rom the "eans expression +oe co,l" tell T,rner ha" an i"ea. =h) "o

)o, +oe as3e".

These letters poppe" o,t at me riht awa) T,rner explaine". 4

co,rse the) mean more to me than to )o, since ? 3now these people.

=hat "o )o, mean +oe as3e" 4r,strate" at T,rner 4or ta3in so lon

to et to the point. =hat people

T,rner pointe" to the paper. C +> an" ets sa) the co"e is somehow relate" to the

sabotae.

=e "ont 3now that 4or s,re 2ran3 warne".

o we "ont +oe a"mitte". B,t lets 7,st sa) it is.

3a) 2ran3 sai" slowl). =hat then

+oe searche" 4or a connection he 7,st 3new ha" to be there. @a) Rosen

is connecte" to the sabotae he sai". He ets 3ic3e" o,t o4 Circ,s




24/52



9. an" "eci"es to et even with T,rner o,t o4 revene +oe explaine"

in a r,sh. a)be the co"e was some 3in" o4 note he was passin to an

accomplice someone on the insi"e who was helpin him 4or their own

reasons. The) co,l" be wor3in toether.

+oe waite" 4or his brother to respon". =ell +oe as3e" 4inall) when

2ran3 ha" 3ept E,iet 4or too lon.

? see )o,r point 2ran3 sai" slowl). B,t wh) wo,l" Rosen nee" to

pass in4ormation to his accomplice =h) not 7,st ma3e phone calls

Remember the sabotae starte" be4ore Circ,s 9. an" the ontero Circ,s

ever ot to Ba)port. Also wh) wo,l" his accomplice ta3e instr,ctions

4rom Rosen

? "ont 3now +oe sai" in exasperation. Thats what we have to 4in"

o,t. o, ot a better i"ea +oe raise" his e)ebrows an" waite" 4or his

brothers response.

He) "ont be so "e4ensive 2ran3 sai".

?m not "e4ensive +oe sai". ?ts 7,st that when )o, "ont have an)

i"eas )o, want to shoot "own mine.

?m not shootin them "own 2ran3 explaine". ?m 7,st tr)in to see

i4 the) ma3e sense. >ets o meet Chet an" et some l,nch. =e can rab

a b,rer an" o over what we 3now.

@,re +oe sai" still 4eelin that 2ran3 wasnt ta3in his i"easerio,sl). He "eci"e" to 4in" some proo4 to bac3 ,p his "e",ction.

o, 3now +oe sai" as he an" 2ran3 starte" wal3in "own the hall

towar" the elevators Rosen co,l" be wor3in with Carl ash. Remember

last niht when Carl showe" ,p He was wearin the same cost,me as

Chet. =hat i4 Rosen meant to pass the messae to ash

2ran3 t,rne" to his brother. ow )o,re onto somethin. =h) "i"nt we

thin3 o4 that be4ore

=hat i4 ash is Rosens accomplice +oe presse".

=h) wo,l" his initials be on the list then 2ran3 as3e". ?t "oesnt

ma3e sense.

?t co,l" be a smo3e screen +oe sai" 3nowin he was searchin 4or

reasons aain. To "ivert s,spicion 4rom ash.

That wo,l" onl) wor3 i4 Rosen an" ash 3new the)" be ca,ht 2ran3

pointe" o,t. therwise theres no reason to throw ,s o44 the trac3.

+oe ha" to a"mit that 2ran3 ha" a point. All this is startin to ive

me a hea"ache he sai" 4inall). a)be the theories will come toether

a4ter we eat.

A b,rer certainl) wo,l"nt h,rt 2ran3 sai". An" then we can tal3

to Bo Costello.

Riht +oe sai". The) were at the en" o4 the hallwa) now. 2ran3

presse" the elevator b,tton. ? hope Chets class is over an" hes

waitin 4or ,s. ow that )o,ve mentione" it ?m starvin.

=hen the) ot to the arena the) saw Bo Costello teachin a trape8e

class. +oe E,ic3l) spotte" Chet stan"in b) the seats with the other

Ba)port Hih st,"ents. Their 4rien" ha" his nec3 crane" an" was

watchin two trape8e st,"ents per4orm acrobatics. +oe an" 2ran3 stoo"

besi"e Chet.?ts incre"ible6 Chet exclaime" his mo,th open. ?" be scare" to

"eath b,t the)re 7,st 4l)in bac3 an" 4orth as tho,h it were secon"

nat,re or somethin.


25/52



both reall) oo".

? can tell 2ran3 sai" watchin intentl).

o, can "o the move now Carl +oe hear" a voice )ell ,p to ash. He

t,rne" to his riht to see Bo Costello his han"s aro,n" his mo,th

hollerin ,p to ash. =atch )o,r timin Costello sai". An" "ont

4oret to 3eep )o,r e)es on +,stine.

+oe crane" his nec3 to watch ash. The st,"ent seeme" to ta3e

Costellos a"vice to heart. As soon as +,stine ma"e her next pass with

her les hoo3e" aro,n" the bar an" her arms o,tstretche" ash 7,mpe"

4rom the plat4orm an" went sailin towar" her. +oe s,c3e" in his breath

as +,stine an" Carl reache" each other. Carl let o o4 the bar an"

rabbe" +,stines arms.

All riht6 Chet crie" o,t watchin +,stine an" Carl swin thro,h

the air.

ice move Carl Costello )elle". The st,"ents aro,n" him clappe"

politel).

n the next pass ash let o o4 +,stines arms as she rabbe" hol" o4

another swin. He then lan"e" bac3 on the plat4orm. +,stine sw,n bac3

to a plat4orm across 4rom ash 7,mpin 4rom the trape8e an" lan"in

sE,arel) on the plat4orm. @he threw the swin towar" ash who ca,ht

it an" hel" it tihtl) as he stoo" on the plat4orm.Rea") when )o, are Carl Costello tol" his st,"ent. 9psi"e-"own

swin an" reverse twist.

H,h +oe sai" alo,".

Circ,s lino 2ran3 sai" with a win3. The)re 4amo,s 4or it

remember

Riht +oe sai" t,rnin bac3 to watch ash.

The trape8e st,"ent rabbe" the swin lace" his les onto it an" let

o. As he went sailin 4rom his plat4orm to the one +,stine was on

ash pic3e" ,p spee". He was 4l)in 4ast between the two plat4orms his

arms swinin 4ree. Then in a 4lash +oe saw him ,nhoo3 his les 4rom

the trape8e.

A 4ew secon"s later ash ha" "one a mi"air somersa,lt an" was reachin

o,t with his han"s 4or the trape8e swin. The move was soli" an" s,re

an" a4ter the somersa,lt ashs han"s reache" 4amiliarl) 4or the

swin. He rabbe" hol" o4 it an" 3ept swinin not missin a beat.

Bravo6 Costello calle" o,t.

=ow Chet sai" breathlessl).

+oe co,l"nt ta3e his e)es o44 ash. The ,)s incre"ible he sai"

mesmeri8e" b) the siht o4 ash swinin bac3 ari" 4orth with ease.

All o4 a s,""en +oe saw the trape8e st,"ent lose his rip. The trape8e

starte" to swin cra8il). ash wrestle" with it 4ihtin to hol" on.

ne en" o4 the swin came ,nhoo3e" 4rom the chain that s,pporte" it.

ash "anle" in mi"air barel) hol"in on to the woo"en ro" that ,ntil

a min,te ao ha" been attache" to chains at both en"s.

!ven 4rom where +oe stoo" below he co,l" see the loo3 o4 horror an"

4ear on ashs 4ace. @everal st,"ents aro,n" the net aspe" in 4ear.

ash6 +oe hear" Costello cr) o,t. Hol" on6B,t +oe co,l" tell it was too late. Be4ore his e)es Carl ash lost his

rip an" bean to pl,mmet thro,h the air.

h no6 Costello sho,te". Hes oin to miss the sa4et) net6

Chapter $

The Airborne Acrobat

+oe saw that Costello was riht. ash was 4allin so that he was a 4ew

inches o,tsi"e the net. @everal st,"ents hel" their han"s over their

e)es a4rai" to loo3.

+oe stoo" b) helpless. Then be4ore his e)es he saw ash twist his




26/52



bo") aro,n". A secon" later he ha" 4allen bac3war" into the net.

ashs acrobats cost,me 4lashe" re" as he bo,nce" ,p an" "own ,p an"

"own in the net.

? cant believe he "i" that +oe 4o,n" himsel4 sa)in in a hoarse

whisper.

?ncre"ible 2ran3 sai". That was some tric3.

Tr,l) awesome Chet sai" sha3in his hea" slowl). ? was convince"

Carl was a oner.

? thin3 hes o3a) +oe sai" pointin towar" the net. @ee Bo

Costellos with him.

2ran3 saw Costello help ash over the net an" ive him a han" to the

ro,n". +,stine ha" "ashe" "own the la""er 4rom the plat4orm an" was

stan"in b) them. Costello p,t his arm aro,n" ash an" le" him an"

+,stine thro,h the ro,p o4 st,"ents to a nearb) seat.

?m oin to 4in" o,t what happene" to that trape8e 2ran3 tol" Chet

an" his brother. He hea"e" o44 to the seats where Bo an" ash were

sittin.

=ere comin with )o, +oe calle" o,t.

As 2ran3 ot nearer to ash an" Costello he hear" Carl sa) to his

teacher ?m tellin )o, the tr,th. ?t 7,st 4ell apart. Riht in m)

han"s. +,st li3e that.Costellos expression was one o4 shoc3 an" +,stine hi" her 4ace in her

han"s. ne loo3 at the trio tol" 2ran3 that this wasnt the time to

tal3 to themthe) were m,ch too ,pset. ?nstea" he p,lle" +oe an" Chet

asi"e an" tol" them what he ha" overhear". ?snt C the 4irst set o4

initials on the list 2ran3 as3e".

o, "ont thin3 this was an acci"ent +oe concl,"e". .

ot a4ter what ash 7,st sai" 2ran3 replie". Come on lets ta3e a

loo3 at that trape8e.

He an" +oe too3 o44 towar" the net. Chet ca,ht ,p with them at a r,n.

=hat "o )o, mean abo,t C bein the 4irst initials on the list he

as3e".

+oe explaine" to Chet his h,nch abo,t the co"e" messae bein Rosens

list o4 accomplices at Circ,s 9. +> an"


27/52



bent the metal several times wea3enin it ,ntil it co,l" brea3 easil).

@o m,ch 4or m) theor) +oe sai" as he ,ntie" the other en" o4 the

woo"en ro" 4rom the rope. He st,c3 it in his bac3 poc3et an" ma"e his

wa) "own the la""er.

=hat "i" )o, 4in" 2ran3 as3e" when his brother was on the 4loor

aain. =hen +oe showe" him the ro" 2ran3 no""e" in ,n"erstan"in. ?t

loo3s li3e Circ,s !x.;s been str,c3 aain he aree".

An" it loo3s li3e the people on the list are victims not

accomplices +oe a""e". 9nless ash is Rosens accomplice an" his

plan to ma3e +,stine 4all bac34ire".

B,t then wh) are ashs initials on the list 2ran3 as3e".

An"


28/52



the b,lletin boar".

ep Bo sai" no""in. ?ts all there. ?4 ? see that one o4 them is

hea"in towar" ,s in 2lori"a or when were on to,r ?ll tr) to trac3

him or her "own tell the 3i" to stop b) an" sa) hello.

Thats reall) nice +oe sai". ? bet the) appreciate )o,r interest.

h the) "o. Bo pa,se" an" ave +oe a c,rio,s loo3. ?s there

somethin ? can help )o, with he as3e".

+oe t,rne" his e)es 4rom the b,lletin boar". es there is he sai"

reali8in he ha" to be care4,l abo,t what he sai". Beca,se he an" 2ran3

were ,n"ercover it wasnt a oo" i"ea to tell Costello the whole tr,th.

>ast niht a 7,ler with the ontero Brothers Circ,s name" Ralph

Rosen "roppe" a ball in Chets tote ba +oe explaine". ?nsi"e the

ball was a messae. An" well we were thin3in that ma)be 7,st ma)be

the messae has somethin to "o with the acci"ents here at the circ,s.

=e tho,ht )o, sho,l" 3now beca,se the people liste" in the messae are

connecte" to Circ,s 9.

=e also tho,ht )o, miht be able to tell ,s i4 Ralph Rosen is the

3in" o4 ,) who miht tr) to ca,se these acci"ents 2ran3 sai". 5ean

T,rner mentione" that he ha" been 3ic3e" o,t o4 Circ,s 9. =e thin3 he

miht be tr)in to et bac3 at people there.

Costello sat "own on the e"e o4 his "es3. He was silent 4or a moment.?m shoc3e" he sai" 4inall). ? 3new Ralph Rosen ha" problems b,t ?

wo,l" never have s,specte" that he wo,l" stoop so low. Costello shoo3

his hea" sa"l). ?m also appalle" to thin3 that a 4ormer Circ,s 9.

st,"ent wo,l" "o s,ch a terrible thin.

Costello pa,se" 4or a moment then ave the Har")s an" Chet a c,rio,s

loo3. =h) are )o, all intereste" in 4i,rin o,t wh) weve been havin

these acci"ents an)wa)

+oe lance" at 2ran3 an" saw his brothers warnin loo3. He t,rne" bac3

to Costello.

As st,"ents here were anxio,s abo,t the acci"ents that have alrea")

happene" +oe sai" care4,ll). 2irst the cannon mis4ire" an" 5ean

T,rner nearl) s,44ocate". An" then when we saw what happene" to Carl

ash on the trape8e 7,st now we starte" thin3in. @ince )o,re

"irector o4 a"missions we 4i,re" i4 an)one wo,l" 3now abo,t Ralph

Rosen it wo,l" be )o, he 4inishe".

Costello let o,t a heart) la,h. 5oin a bit o4 amate,r "etectin eh

=ell while )o, bo)s are at Circ,s 9. wh) "ont )o, stic3 to clownin

an" learnin abo,t other 3in"s o4 circ,s per4ormin. 5ont worr). =ell

manae to settle o,r problems.

5o )o, have some bac3ro,n" in4o on Rosen in )o,r 4iles +oe presse".

Costello stoo" ,p 4rom the e"e o4 his "es3 an" shoo3 his hea" slowl).

? miht b,t that in4ormation is con4i"ential. nl) 5ean T,rner can

release it. Come on ,)s he sai" 4inall). ? reall) appreciate what

)o,re tr)in to "o b,t wh) "ont )o, leave all this st,44 to the

people in chare Jic3 bac3 relax an" en7o) )o,r classes here. o,

wont et another chance li3e this in

Be4ore Costello co,l" 4inish his sentence his phone bean to rin.!xc,se me he sai" to the three o4 them.

+oe stoo" ,p an" hea"e" 4or the "oor reali8in the) werent oin to

et an)where with the "ean o4 a"missions. 2ran3 an" Chet 4ollowe".

=ell let )o, et bac3 to wor3 2ran3 sai".

Than3s Costello sai" pic3in ,p the phone on the thir" rin. Ta3e

m) a"vice: !n7o) )o,rselves an" "ont worr) o3a)

That was a bi waste o4 time +oe sai" when the three o4 them were

bac3 in the hall. =e "i"nt even et a loo3 at Rosens application.

=ell 7,st have to 4in" o,t abo,t Rosen another wa) 2ran3 sai"




29/52



tr)in to reass,re his brother. =e can as3 +im +acobs where hes

sta)in.

9h "o )o, ,)s min" i4 we et some l,nch 4irst Chet sai". ? "ont

thin3 ? can o on m,ch loner witho,t some 4,el insi"e me.

+oe la,he". 3a) Chet. 2ran3 an" ? 3now that clownin aro,n" is

h,nr) wor3.

@o is "etectin 2ran3 sai". >ets hea" over to that new b,rer

place on ain @treet.


30/52



He)6 =hat "o )o, 2ran3 bean.

The woman who ha" a hol" on his elbow was "resse" in a sec,rit) ,ar"

,ni4orm. @he ha" the reenest e)es 2ran3 ha" ever seen. At her si"e

were Chet an" +oe loo3in l,m.

This area is o44 limits the woman went on tihtenin her rip on

2ran3s arm. ? "ont 3now who )o, 3i"s are b,t )o, obvio,sl) "ont

belon here.

2ran3 4elt himsel4 t,rn re" then he breathlessl) trie" to explain.

=ere st,"ents at Circ,s 9. =e were 7,st oin to tr) o,t that

trap"oor the clowns ,se.

eah riht the woman sai" larin at 2ran3 +oe an" Chet. An"

?m the M,een o4 !nlan".

=e reall) are st,"ents +oe insiste".

? saw )o, chasin that ,) the woman sai". o, nearl) h,rt someone

bac3 there. ? "ont 3now what )o,re "oin here b,t )o," better leave

be4ore ? call sec,rit).

?m tr)in to tell )o, 2ran3 sai". =ere st,"ents.

2rom the loo3 on the womans 4ace 2ran3 co,l" tell he wasnt ettin

an)where. He p,lle" himsel4 o,t o4 her rip an" stoo" b) +oe with his

arms 4ol"e". The tier in the cae across 4rom them san3 "own onto the

4loor crossin his paws . ,n"er him an" ivin them all a war) loo3.? have a st,"ent pass Chet sai" "iin into his poc3et an" p,llin

o,t a car". He showe" the car" to the woman. ) 4rien"s here are

bran"-new st,"ents an" the) "ont have passes )et.

The woman loo3e" at Chet;s pass an" no""e". 3a) b,t )o, three are

still not allowe" in the arena witho,t a Circ,s 9. instr,ctor. This

area she contin,e" est,rin towar" the animal caes is ver)

"anero,s riht now. The animals are abo,t to rehearse with their

trainers an" onl) pro4essional circ,s people are allowe" here.

2ran3 reali8e" it was ,seless to tr) to convince her to let them sta).

He sihe" loo3e" towar" the trap"oor an" 3new the)" have to o a4ter

Rosen some other wa). Riht he sai" t,rnin awa). Come on ,)s.

>ets et o,t o4 here.

Than3s Chet +oe sai" as the) wal3e" awa). o, probabl) save" ,s

4rom bein 3ic3e" o,t o4 the b,il"in 4or oo".

o problem Chet sai". B,t )o, ,)s ha" better et )o,rselves a

co,ple o4 passes.

2ran3 no""e". 9p till now weve been l,c3). =eve either been able to

snea3 past sec,rit) ,ar"s or no ones notice" ,s.

=hat are we oin to "o now that weve lost Rosen aain +oe as3e"

his brother as the) le4t the arena thro,h the 4ront exit an" bean to

ro,n" the b,il"in towar" the par3in lot.

2ran3 stoppe" 4or a moment an" r,bbe" his chin. =e-3now Rosens still

aro,n" the circ,s. =hen 5ean T,rner ets bac3 he can et ,s those

passes. a)be we can et him to write o,t special passes that will

allow ,s to o ever)where in the b,il"in.

=e can also as3 the "ean to et ,s access to Rosens 4ile. >ets stop

b) his o44ice be4ore we leave 4or l,nch to 4in" o,t when hell be bac3.The three bo)s ma"e a E,ic3 "eto,r bac3 into the b,il"in to 5ean

T,rners o44ice. The "eans secretar) who was ,sin the o44ice next

"oor in4orme" them that T,rner wo,l"nt be bac3 that a4ternoonhe was

r,nnin late an" he ha" to meet another "onor o,t o4 the o44ice later

that a4ternoon.

Rats 2ran3 sai" as the) hea"e" "own the hall towar" the exit. =here

"oes that leave ,s he as3e".

H,nr) 4or one Chet sai" hol"in his stomach. The pansthe)re

too m,ch he a""e" "ramaticall) ben"in over.




31/52



=hats that +oe as3e" his 4rien". Rehearsal 4or when )o, pla) the

traic clown


32/52



?nsi"e he saw what ha" ma"e +oe )ell. The room was a shambles. Papers

were strewn all over. The win"ow was bro3en an" lass was ever)where.

Then 2ran3 loo3e" "own an" aspe". His brother la) 4ace"own on the

4loor in the mi""le o4 the room. A mas3e" man in a blac3 hoo"e"

7,mps,it hel" +oes arms behin" his bac3. The man ha" Ralph Rosens

em-st,""e" 7,lers ball in his han" an" was abo,t to 3noc3 +oe o,t

col" with it6

Chapter 10

Trape8e Thie4

Be4ore 2ran3 co,l" react the mas3e" man let o o4 +oe an" r,she" to

the win"ow. Rosens ball was in his le4t han" an" his riht han"

reache" o,t the win"ow 4or a piece o4 rope that was hanin b) the

4rame.

=eve ot to stop him +oe calle" to his brother. +oe h,rrie" to the

win"ow b,t the mas3e" man ha" alrea") saile" thro,h it airborne the

rope carr)in him to a tree ten 4eet awa).

+oe leane" o,t the win"ow care4,l to avoi" bro3en lass an" 4elt a

blast o4 col" air. Hes climbin "own the tree6 he crie". Hes

ettin awa)6

ot i4 ? can help it 2ran3 sai" r,nnin 4rom the room. +oe 4ollowe"

him "own the stairs o,t the "oor an" into the col". The) r,she"aro,n" to the si"e o4 the ho,se an" spotte" the mas3e" man r,nnin

across the bac3)ar".

2ran3 an" +oe pic3e" ,p their pace "etermine" not to let the man et

awa). The) chase" him thro,h the bac3)ar" an" thro,h the neihbors.

@oon the) were on a street an" +oe saw the man r,nnin 4or a car.

Hes ettin awa)6 +oe crie" o,t to 2ran3.

+oe "ashe" across the street to where the mas3e" man was ettin into a

bl,e sports car with Texas plates. +oe ca,ht ,p with him 7,st as the

man ha" close" his "oor. The man starte" the car an" p,t it into ear.

+oe saw Rosens ball l)in on the seat next to him. ?t was their onl)

lea" an" it ha" been stolen riht o,t 4rom ,n"er them.

=ith a sE,eal o4 tires the car t,rne" sharpl) to the le4t 3noc3in

+oe "own. Then it spe" o44 "own the street.

2ran3 r,she" over to where +oe la) on the pavement. Are )o, o3a) he

as3e" his brother ivin him a han" ,p.

+oe ot ,p an" ",ste" o44 his 7eans. ?m 4ine. ? 7,st wish that ,)

ha"nt otten awa).

e too 2ran3 sai" 4ollowin the spee"in car with his e)es. Come

on he ,re". >ets o bac3 home an" see what the "amae is.

Bac3 insi"e his room +oe s,rve)e" the scene. The ball was one. His

papers were all over the 4loor. The room was ettin col" 4rom the

bro3en win"ow. +oe went over to the win"ow an" loo3e" at the rope that

h,n 4rom the nearb) tree.

=hoever this robber was he s,re was prett) aile +oe sai" as 2ran3

steppe" into the room with a ",stpan an" broom.

>i3e someone in the circ,s 2ran3 o44ere".

A trape8e artist sa) +oe as3e" s,""enl) thin3in o4 Carl ashsacci"ent earl) that "a).

!xactl) 2ran3 sai". He starte" sweepin ,p the bro3en lass an"

p,ttin it in a trash can. The car ha" Texas plates. 5i"nt Carl ash

sa) he was 4rom Texas

Thats riht +oe sai". He bean to pic3 ,p the papers on the 4loor.

=hat i4 Rosen an" ash are accomplices

?ts an i"ea 2ran3 a"mitte". !xcept that we "ont 3now wh) Rosen

wo,l" have been passin that ball to ash or what ash is helpin

Rosen "o.




33/52



@abotae +oe sai" 4r,strate". ?ve been tr)in to tell )o, that

Rosen wants to 4o,l thins ,p at Circ,s 9. beca,se he ot 3ic3e" o,t.

>oo3 +oe 2ran3 sai". o, 3eep ass,min that Rosens messae has to

"o with the acci"ents b,t accor"in to Pa,l T,rner these acci"ents

starte" in 2lori"a six months ao. =here was Rosen all that time An"

the ontero has onl) been on to,r 4or a 4ew wee3s.

+oe ha" to a"mit his brother ha" a point. He pic3e" ,p the trashcan

ave the bro3en win"ow one last loo3 an" sat "own at his "es3. =hat

i4 Rosens been passin instr,ctions to ash in the balls all this

time +oe as3e" 4inall). =hat i4 this is 7,st one in a series o4

messaes

2ran3 shoo3 his hea" slowl). o, reall) want to ma3e )o,r theor) abo,t

the co"e" messae wor3 "ont )o, he sai" with a smile. Ass,min

Rosen was hanin aro,n" Circ,s 9. it still "oesnt ma3e sense that he

wo,l" ta3e the tro,ble to pass messaes in a 7,lers ball. =h) not

ma3e a phone call =h) not meet ash in secret

? "ont 3now +oe sai" with a sih hol"in his hea" in his han"s.

An" wh) wo,l" ashs initials be on the list an)wa) i4 he were

Rosens accomplice 2ran3 contin,e".

All riht alrea") +oe sai" in an exasperate" tone. ? ive ,p. ?

cant answer an) o4 those E,estions an" ?m even willin to a"mit m)theor) has some holes in it b,t were not ettin an)where on this

m)ster).

2ran3 sat "own on the be" across 4rom +oe. ? thin3 we nee" to et bac3

to the 4acts he explaine". @ee what we can piece toether 4rom what

we 3now.

?nstea" o4 p,llin thins o,t o4 thin air )o, mean +oe sai"

li4tin his hea" ,p. 3a) he sai" r,"inl). =hat are the 4acts

2ran3 co,nte" o44 on his 4iners. ne. ?t loo3s li3e Rosen meant to

pass his ball to Carl ash an" that ash probabl)

h no )o, "ont +oe interr,pte". o probabl)s. +,st the 4acts.

That someone who happens to be an acrobat bro3e in here an" stole

Rosens ball 2ran3 4inishe".

=e also 3now that there are people at Circ,s 9. who wo,l" bene4it i4

Pa,l T,rner lost his 7ob beca,se o4 these acci"ents +oe o44ere".

/10(L


34/52



2ran3 no""e" an" +oe went on. An" one-oh-three. That miht mean

+an,ar) thir".

An" two-4o,rteen co,l" be 2ebr,ar) 4o,rteenth 2ran3 sai".

!xactl). +oe chec3e" his watch. He remembere" the)" tol" Chet the)

wo,l" pic3 him ,p at six an" it was alrea") ten till. Then the "ate on

his watch ca,ht his attention. ?t was 5ecember nineteenthone "a)

be4ore the 4irst "ate on the list.

He) 2ran3 +oe sai" slowl) t,rnin to his brother with a h,e rin

on his 4ace.


35/52



steppe" into the b,il"in +oe sai" a)be we sho,l" 4in" 5ean T,rner

an" have him et ,s clearance. ? "ont want to r,n into that sec,rit)

,ar" aain.

? "ont see an) ,ar"s this mornin 2ran3 sai" openin the "oor

slowl) an" loo3in aro,n". ?t loo3s li3e we wont nee" passes. ? ,ess

the ,ar"s "ont o on ",t) ,ntil later.

The) hea"e" "own the hall lancin to the le4t an" riht to see i4

Rosen was in an) o4 the rooms the) were passin.

? hope Rosen is here +oe sai". ?m rea") to have a nice lon chat

with him abo,t what scheme he planne" 4or to"a).

?4 +im +acobs is aro,n" he can tell ,s where Rosen is 2ran3 sai".

?t "oesnt loo3 li3e an)ones aro,n" +oe sai" lancin ,p an" "own

the hallwa). This hallwa)s prett) "eserte".

@oon the) were at the room the clowns calle" clown alle). +oe "i"nt

spot +im +acobs so he as3e" a woman i4 she 3new where the) co,l" 4in"

Ralph Rosen. @he pointe" to a small room "own the hall.

2or some reason he rates his own "ressin room the woman sai"

sha3in her hea" as she wal3e" awa).

=hen the) reache" the room 2ran3 went ,p close to it hel" his 4iner

to his lips an" motione" 4or +oe to be E,iet. +oe stoo" bac3 4rom his

brother. He loo3e" ,p at the transom win"ow over the "oor an" saw thatthere was a liht on in the room. He m,st be here he calle" o,t to

2ran3 in an excite" whisper.

2ran3 no""e" an" too3 a 4ew steps bac3. He stoo" on tiptoe tr)in to

see over the transom.

?4 hes in well 7,st con4ront him with what we 3now ma3e him ive

,s some explanations +oe sai". ?4 not well 7,st let o,rselves in

an" wait.

+oe waite" 4or 2ran3 to answer. =hen he "i"nt +oe lance" over his

sho,l"er. 2ran3 he as3e". =hat "o )o, thin3

Then he t,rne" an" saw wh) his brother ha"nt answere" riht awa). He

ha" been 3noc3e" o,t an" was l)in 4ace,p on the 4loor with an ,l) re"

mar3 on his 4orehea".

+oe r,she" over an" 3nelt "own besi"e his brother. 2ran36 he crie".

Then +oe sense" that someone ha" come ,p behin" him. @,""enl) he 4elt a

whoppin blow to his hea". +oe san3 to the 4loor ,nconscio,s.

Chapter 11

Clown 9n"ercover

2ran3 Har") 4elt himsel4 comin to an" tho,ht that his hea" 4elt as

i4 someone ha" store" it in a 4ree8er overniht. =hen he trie" to move

there was a col" ",ll throbbin at his temples that co,l" onl) mean

one thin: he" been 3noc3e" o,t.

2ran3 opene" his e)es. He slowl) reali8e" that his han"s an" les were

tie" to the chair he was sittin in. He lance" aro,n" an" note" that

he was insi"e a small room that loo3e" to be abo,t the same si8e as

Rosens.

Ralph Rosen 2ran3 m,mble" to himsel4 tr)in to move as slowl) as

possible ,ntil he was 4,ll) awa3e. ?t m,st have been him.mmm 2ran3 hear" +oe m,rm,r. 2ran3 t,rne" as m,ch as he co,l" with

his han"s tie" toether behin" his bac3 an" saw +oe l)in on the 4loor

next to him. His brother was tie" ,p too.

=hen +oe opene" his e)es he loo3e" ,p an" saw 2ran3 loo3in at him.

=here are we +oe m,mble" tr)in to p,ll himsel4 ,p to a sittin

position. The e44ort was obvio,sl) too m,ch beca,se +oe E,ic3l) ease"

himsel4 bac3 "own to the ro,n". ) hea"s 3illin me.

ine too 2ran3 sai" stretchin his nec3 to et his circ,lation

oin aain. Rosen reall) "i" a n,mber on ,s.




36/52



Rosen6 +oe crie". That ,)s oin to be in bi tro,ble when ?

4inall) meet ,p with him.

>ets concentrate on ettin o,t o4 here 2ran3 sai". 5o )o, thin3

)o, co,l" move over to the "oor an" see i4 its loc3e" . ?ll tr)

+oe sai". He ease" himsel4 ,p in a sittin position. ,ch he sai"

wincin in pain. ? "ont thin3 ?m rea") to move )et.

2ran3 scanne" the room loo3in 4or some 3in" o4 sharp ob7ect to c,t

the ropes that bo,n" them.

Rosen was cra8) to "o this to ,s +oe sai". This ma3es him loo3 more

,ilt) than ever.

2ran3 "i"nt answer. He was still loo3in aro,n" the room 4or a 3ni4e

or scissors.

Hes one to a lot o4 tro,ble to p,t ,s o,t o4 commission +oe sai".

?ts almost li3e he wante" ,s o,t o4 the wa) b,t onl) ,ntil he ha"

time to come bac3 an" 4i,re o,t what to "o with ,s.

2ran3 spotte" a ba leanin aainst the 4ar wall o4 the room. 5o )o,

thin3 )o, co,l" et to that ba he as3e" his brother pointin to it

with his hea". There miht be somethin in the ba we can ,se to c,t

these ropes.

+oe p,lle" himsel4 ,p an" e"e" over to the si"e o4 the room. He

rabbe" the bas han"le between his teeth an" carrie" it over to 2ran3.2ran3 leane" over as best he co,l" to loo3 insi"e the ba. He spotte"

more o4 Rosens 7,lin balls an" some bowlin pinsan" then

,n"erneath a clown wi 2ran3 saw a 3ni4e han"le.

There he sai" pointin it o,t to +oe. >oo3. Theres a 3ni4e in the

ba.

+oe t,rne" aro,n" rabbe" the ba with his 4iners an" shoo3 it ,ntil

Rosens props spille" o,t. A 3ni4e 4ell 4rom the ba on top o4 the pile.

+oe t,rne" aro,n" an" 4ace" the pile o4 props. ?ts a stae 3ni4e he

sai".

2ran3 saw the plastic han"le an" reali8e" his brother was riht. ?t

miht still wor3 2ran3 ,re".


37/52



enco,raement.


38/52



appl)in it to his mo,th. He "rew a circle above his lips an" aro,n"

his mo,th an" 4ille" it in with lipstic3. An" h,rr). =e "ont have

m,ch time.

?n a 4ew min,tes 2ran3 an" +oe were completel) in cost,me clown 4ace

wis an" shoes. >ets o6 2ran3 ,re" when he saw +oe was "one

"rawin thic3 e)ebrows an" smearin his e)eli"s with blac3 ma3e,p.

2ran3 ease" the "oor to Rosens "ressin room open pee3e" into the

hallwa) an" saw that it was empt). He steppe" o,t o4 the room an"

motione" 4or +oe to 4ollow him.

+,st act cas,al 2ran3 ,re" his brother ,n"er his breath. ?4 we

prowl aro,n" lon eno,h were s,re to spot Rosen.

?ts 3in" o4 har" to act cas,al when )o,re "resse" li3e a "or3 +oe

tol" his brother.

2ran3 inore" the comment an" strolle" "own the hallwa) his h,e shoes

4lappin in 4ront o4 him. Aro,n" them the ontero Brothers Circ,s was

ettin rea") 4or that a4ternoons per4ormance. Clowns an" other

per4ormers move" bac3 an" 4orth between "ressin rooms an" prop rooms

an" prop people carrie" stilts an" to) cars towar" the 4reiht elevator.

Hes ot to be aro,n" here somewhere 2ran3 tol" +oe.

9nless he too3 o44 once an" 4or all +oe tol" him.

B,t its the twentieth 2ran3 remin"e" his brother. Accor"in to hisco"e somethins oin to happen to"a).

As soon as the wor"s were o,t o4 his mo,th 2ran3 spotte" Rosens

telltale ba) reen stripe" pants comin o,t o4 clown alle).

There he is 2ran3 whispere" tr)in not to be hear". Come on6

2ran3 too3 o44 at a bris3 wal3 tr)in not to aro,se Rosens s,spicion.

+oe 4ollowe" in step.

!as) now 2ran3 warne" his brother. 5ont catch ,p to him too

E,ic3l).

5ont worr) +oe m,ttere" reachin ,p to straihten his wi. At the

rate ?m oin ? wont be able to catch ,p with )o,6

As the) ot closer 2ran3 4elt his heart beatin triple-time. The) were

abo,t to nab the m)sterio,s 7,ler once an" 4or all.

Rosen t,rne" aro,n" an" loo3e" towar" them. 2ran3 hel" his breath. He

hope" Rosen wo,l"nt reconi8e them.

The 7,ler "i" a "o,ble ta3e loo3in p,88le". Then he t,rne" bac3 to

the woman he was tal3in to an" han"e" her somethin. 2ran3 was still

too 4ar awa) to see what it was.

=eve ot to et him +oe hisse" ,n"er his breath. ?m not lettin

that ,) et awa) aain.

Jeep cool 2ran3 ,re" watchin Rosen tal3 to the woman. The Har")s

move" a bit closer an" hear" Rosen sa) eone. An" in her han"s was one o4 Rosens em-

st,""e" balls6

Chapter 1F

The Plot Thic3ens




39/52



+,stine6 +oe an" 2ran3 crie" in ,nison.

The irl stare" at them a loo3 o4 con4,sion in her bl,e e)es. 5o ?

3now )o, ,)s she as3e".

To his le4t +oe saw Rosen "isappear into an elevator. oo3 +,stine sai" her voice risin in aner ? "ont have to

answer an) o4 )o,r E,estions. ? tol" )o, ? was "oin a 4avor 4or a

4rien". ? reall) "ont 3now what )o,r problem is.

? thin3 )o,re the one with the problem +oe bean in an anr) voice.

2ran3 p,t a han" on +oes arm.


40/52



+oe too3 a "eep breath an" smile" at +,stine. 9rn act,all) he sai"

we "ont reall) 3now whats oin on here to tell )o, the tr,th. @o

wh) "ont )o, tell ,s who )o,r 4rien" is

+,stine rolle" her e)es. o, ,)s are too m,ch. 3a). Carl as3e" me to

meet this ,) here. He sai" the ,) ha" somethin 4or him b,t Carl

co,l"nt meet him. He ha" somethin to "o 4or Bo Costello. ? tol" him

?" "o it.

2ran3 raise" an e)ebrow at +oe.

Carl ash +oe sai".

,r acrobatic 4rien" stri3es aain 2ran3 sai".

=hat are )o, tal3in abo,t +,stine as3e" her e)es movin bac3 an"

4orth between 2ran3 an" +oe.

+oe inore" her E,estion an" as3e" 5i" the ,) who ave )o, this 3now

who )o, were

+,stine shr,e". He seeme" to. ? mean he "i"nt as3 me m) name or

an)thin. ? ,ess Carl tol" him ?" be here.

@omethins not riht here 2ran3 sai" sha3in his hea". ?4 this

ball is so important wh) "i"nt ash come 4or it himsel4

o,ll have to as3 him +,stine retorte" stampin the ro,n" with

her 4oot. B,t )o," better ive the ball bac3 to me she insiste"

hol"in her han" o,t. ?m s,ppose" to meet Carl in ten min,tes in theanimal room.

>ets o 4in" ash 2ran3 sai" to his brother. =e can as3 him

o,rselves whats oin on.

? 3now one thin +oe sai". Hes in this ,p to his nec3.

=hile +oes attention was on his brother +,stine rabbe" the ball 4rom

his han"s. Thats mine she sai" p,llin her han"s awa) when +oe

reache" to et it bac3. =ith that she hea"e" o44 at a bris3 wal3 in

the "irection o4 the animal room.

+oe 4ollowe" a "istance behin" with 2ran3 besi"e him. =e cant let

ash et that ball +oe sai". Theres probabl) another messae

insi"e.

2ran3 reache" ,p to scratch ,n"er his wi. =ere oin to have to nab

ash be4ore he can et his han"s on it.

+oe 3ept his e)es on +,stine in 4ront o4 them. The) were wal3in towar"

the animal room. He wante" to ma3e s,re +,stine "i"nt pass the ball to

ash be4ore he an" 2ran3 co,l" stop her.

? thin3 +,stine 3nows were 4ollowin her 2ran3 whispere" to +oe.

a)be ?m wron an" shes not involve" in whatevers oin on between

ash an" Rosen. a)be shes not worrie" were 4ollowin her beca,se she

has nothin to hi"e.

B,t then wh) "i" Rosen pic3 her to pass the ball to ash +oe

whispere" bac3.

? "ont 3now 2ran3 a"mitte" as he steere" clear o4 an animal

trainer lea"in a seal on a leash. The smell o4 animals was

overpowerin now. The Har")s saw +,stine enter the h,e room.

ash tr,sts her 2ran3 sai". a)be thats eno,h explanation. ash

m,st have tol" Rosen to expect +,stine. =h) else wo,l" the ,) havepasse" the ball to her

The) loo3e" into the room an" saw Carl ash. The trape8e st,"ent was

stan"in b) a lions cae an" he ha" a bi smile on his 4ace.

+,stine he "rawle" openin his arms. ?ve been waitin 4or )o,.

+,stine ran ,p to him han"e" him the ball an" the two embrace". ash

li4te" his hea" to sa) somethin to +,stine. Then he spotte" 2ran3 an"

+oe an" his smile 4a"e". !ven in their clown "is,ises ash m,st have

3nown who the) were.

He) )o, ,)s ash sai" nervo,sl).


41/52



an" p,she" +,stine awa). +oe notice" that ash lance" hastil) o44 to

the si"e. 9nless he was wron the trape8e st,"ent was loo3in 4or an

escape ro,te.

ice to see )o, too Carl 2ran3 sai". =e 4o,n" +,stine waitin in

the hall b) clown alle). @he sai" )o, two were meetin ,p.

h ash ave +,stine a E,estionin loo3.

These ,)s as3e" me all 3in"s o4 E,estions abo,t the man who ave me

that ball +,stine tol" ash. ? sai" i4 the) wante" answers the)

sho,l" as3 )o,. ? tol" them ? was 7,st "oin )o, a 4avor.

The lare that ash ave +,stine was ,nmista3able. +oe co,l" tell that

he was tr)in to control his aner. Then his 4ace relaxe" an" he ave

+,stine a smile.

Than3s hon ash sai". ? 3now ? can alwa)s co,nt on )o,. He leane"

aainst the lions cae an" contin,e" to smile at +,stine. The lion

insi"e the cae stoo" ,p an" let o,t a small roar. ash lance" at the

lion an" cas,all) bac3e" awa) 4rom the cae.

Then with a lihtnin movement ash "ashe" past 2ran3 an" +oe in the

"irection o4 the "oorwa). 2ran3 reacte" swi4tl) stic3in o,t his le

to trip ash. The trape8e st,"ent went 4l)in to the ro,n" in 4ront o4

the lions cae. This time the lion let o,t an even lo,"er roar. As

ash 4ell the ball 4lew o,t o4 his han"s into the air.+oe watche" in horror as the 7,lers ball 4lew thro,h the bars an"

lan"e" riht in the lions cae.

Chapter 1(

?nto the >ion;s 5en

=hile +oes e)es were still on the ball that was l)in insi"e the

lions cae ash 7,mpe" ,p an" "elivere" a sharp blow to his 7aw.

+oe san3 to his 3nees "i88) 4rom the p,nch. The pol3a "ots on his

cost,me swam in 4ront o4 his

HB 011 Three Ring Terror

Documents