The Ringmaster's Secret Read Online Free

beside King Kat’s cage:”

CHAPTER IV
    An Amazing Aerialist
    “PIETRO!” Nancy called as the down moved off. “Please tell me—”
    Pietro had no opportunity to answer, for at that moment a whistle summoned all the clowns from the ring.
    During the acts that followed, Nancy’s thoughts reverted constantly to the clown’s request that she meet him at the end of the show. Certainly there was some secret about her charm bracelet.
    When the time came for Lolita’s act, all the lights were dimmed except the floodlights on the center ring. Kroon, wearing striped trousers, a Prince Albert coat, and a high silk hat, walked to the microphone.
    “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “you are about to witness the world’s most daring aerial act! Lolita, our Cinderella, will meet her prince in midair and dance with him. But at the stroke of twelve, this brief romance will end.”
    As the ringmaster retired, the spotlights picked up a small Cinderella carriage being drawn along the tanbark by two white wooden steeds. In it sat beautiful, fairylike Lolita, dressed in a white silver-spangled robe.
    The applause was thunderous as attendants attached the carriage to pulleys and Cinderella was slowly pulled up, a slanting wire to the top of the tent. Daintily Lolita stood up, discarded her robe, and stepped out in white satin acrobatic tights to a tiny platform suspended from the ceiling.
    At once, additional floodlights showed four young men aerialists, signaling for her attention. Smiling, Lolita waited as they swung toward her in turn. But when each man kneeled on the platform and indicated that he wanted to marry Cinderella, Lolita shook her head and he swung away.
    Then, as she looked discouraged, a handsome prince in a gleaming silver costume suddenly appeared in the spotlight beside her.
    “Prince Charming!” Bess announced, gazing, enthralled, at the performance. Her friends scarcely heard her. Their eyes were fixed on the acrobatic drama far above them. To the strain of a waltz, Cinderella and the prince danced on the tight rope.
    At the end of the number they embraced. Then came the sound of a striking gong. One, two—The prince held Cinderella close. Three, four—The girl tried to pull away. The gong continued to strike. Eleven, twelve!
    Cinderella swung toward the platform where the carriage had been. But the sides of the gorgeous carriage and the white horses had tumbled into a net below. Instead, a pumpkin drawn by mice remained. In a barely perceptible motion, the aerialist had slipped out of her white satin costume and now stood in ragged black tatters!
    “Oh!” shrieked Teddy. “Poor Cinderella! Nancy, what will the prince—” He stopped abruptly.
    Lolita, about to climb into the pumpkin, suddenly swayed and lost her footing. She plunged downward toward the net!
    There was a momentary hush as the audience wondered if this was part of the act. But as Lolita lay still, cries of alarm arose.
    “Oh,” murmured Teddy. “Is she—”
    “Lolita must have fainted,” Nancy told him, hoping it was nothing more serious.
    From the shadowy stage entrances rushed many circus people, among them Pietro. Ringmaster Kroon waved them aside. Walking under the net, he hissed at Lolita, loudly enough for Nancy to hear, “Get up and take a bow! You’re ruining the show!”
    Lolita slowly opened her eyes. Pietro reached up and tenderly patted her cheek.
    “Leave her alone! Get out of here!” Kroon thundered at the clown.
    Pietro, after a glare at his employer, turned back to the girl. Kroon yanked the clown up by his big ruffled collar and sent him sprawling to the tanbark.
    “Stand up!” the harsh manager ordered Lolita.
    This time the girl obeyed, rising slowly and stepping to the edge of the net, where she was helped down by attendants. Lolita acknowledged the tumultuous applause with bow after bow, then left the tent.
    Kroon hurried into the ring. “And so,” he said, “Cinderella lost her prince. But only