The Mystery at the Circus

Moira, Gerald and Darla were really excited. 'The Fun & Frolic Circus', was visiting their town. "I'm sure Violet and Justin will love to hear the news of the circus", said Darla, jumping up and down. Uncle Bert and aunt Valerie were going away to Bert's friend's place for a week. Violet and Justin did not want to go with their parents, so they came to 'Snow-White Cottage' to spend time with their cousins.

Bert and Valerie came to drop the two kids and were happy that the kids would be able to visit the circus. "Bye mom, bye dad," chorused the two children waving. Susan settled her sister's children and gave them a light snack of cheese and cucumber sandwiches with French fries and home-made jam tarts. All this was washed down by freshly made orange juice.

Though the three Hudson kids had had their breakfast early morning, they joined their cousins at mid morning snacks."May I have a sandwich and some tarts mom"? asked Darla with an impish smile. "You can dearie," said Susan, taking off her apron.

"You are a glutton Darla," said Gerald. "Didn't you eat enough at breakfast?" "I did, but I'm hungry again," said his sister. "I think I will have another tart auntie. They are really good," said Violet.

"When is the circus coming Moira?" asked Violet. "Coming Sunday. We can go as soon as it is set up and the show begins." "I can't wait to go", said Darla, taking her plate to the kitchen.

'The Fun & Frolic Circus' arrived on Sunday afternoon. All the five children visited the site to find out the day of the first showing. Mr. Hubbs, the owner of the circus was a fat, short, bald man in his fifteens, with an ample paunch and a cigar in his mouth. "The circus will start officially on wednesday children. You can come and buy tickets then." The children went back happily discussing about coming Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, the kids got ready and reached the circus grounds. They bought their tickets for the first show starting at 11am. Since they were free and it was only 10, they sat on a bench near the circus tent and watched the preparations. All the performers were busy with last minute make-up and costume fittings. Mr. Hubbs was smoking his cigar and sitting amiably on his special chair with a contented look on his chubby face.

It was half past ten and every artist was geared up for the opening show. Mr. Hubbs started calling the names of the performers one by one to come to him for last minute inspection. When the clown's name was called, no-one came. Mr. Hubbs called twice, then thrice but no-one came. "Where is Bruno?" asked Mr. Hubbs. "He was getting ready. I saw him just a minute ago," added Trump, the juggler. There were oohs and ahas all around. Just as Princy, the cyclist started going in search of Bruno, he appeared as if from nowhere.

The seats were already full with the five kids sitting in the first row with expectant faces.

Just before the interval, Bruno arrived for his act. Surprisingly, he seemed to have forgotten what he was supposed to do. He just stood shifting his feet and smilingly broadly. A few minutes passed and the bored crowd started jeering. Mr. Hubbs motioned Bruno to come back and sent Trump in his place. The rest of the circus performances went well. Bruno had to appear for the last act with Princy.

"You know what to do, don't you Bruno?" asked Mr. Hubbs. The clown nodded and Princy took him inside on his cycle. This time everything went well and all the artists went to their tents to change and join Mr. Hubbs for lunch. Everyone sat down except Bruno. He was nowhere to be seen. Every member of the circus searched for him but could not find the clown.

"Well, we will manage somehow and get our dear Bruno back. I will take the money and bring him back," said Princy. "Let's collect all our savings and see if it is enough. We might have to borrow if the collection is less than the demand. Come on, let's start counting," said Trump.

The circus artists had the day to collect the ransom money. "We are going home for lunch, but will be back soon. Let us know if you need more cash and we will bring it," said Justin. "Thanks dear. Run along home now," smiled Mr. Hubbs shaking his hand.

The two boys went home and told everyone about Bruno' kidnapping. "My God, poor Bruno, I hope he is alright," said Darla tearfully. "What a horrid thing to happen. I wish we could help somehow," added Violet. "Come let's finish lunch quickly and go and see what's happening at the circus."

Next morning, Gerald and Justin went for a walk and when they neared the site of the circus, a strange sight met their eyes. Mr. Hubbs was sitting with a few members of his troupe. He had a worried expression on his usual happy face. The boys went near and asked,"what happened Mr. Hubbs? You look stressed. Is something the matter?" asked Gerald. "We can't find Bruno. He has disappeared," said Princy. "I checked his tent. His bed has not been slept in," added Trump.

Just then, a small boy appeared as if fro nowhere and handed a note to Justin. He ran away before anyone could talk to him. "Let me see the paper," said Gerald. After Reading the contents, he gave the paper to Mr. Hubbs." "My God, Bruno has been kidnapped. The bad guys are asking for a lot of cash and valuables for his return, cried Mr. Hubbs with rising hysteria in his voice. "When do they want the loot," questioned Trump.

"By this evening and they want Princy to go and deliver the goods to the far away fields at the end of this town. He has to come alone with their cash and gold in a briefcase. He will be met by one of the kidnappers who will exchange Bruno for the briefcase. If we inform the police, they will kill him. What will we do without police assistance?"

While they were walking, Justin saw the same boy who had given him the note after Bruno's disappearance. He whispered to the others and they all noticed the boy going towards a by-lane which led to the fields. The gang started following him. The boy looked around once and saw Darla who was walking ahead of the others. He immediately started running. The children ran after him and Gerald overpowered him. "Who are you and why are you running away from us?" questioned Violet. "Leave me alone. Let me go," screamed the boy. "Not until you tell us who gave you the kidnapper's note," added Moira. "I don't know what you are talking about. I was going home. Please let me go, I'll be late," pleaded the boy.

"Let's take him to Mr. Hubbs, he will know how to deal with him," said Gerald, dragging the boy towards the circus ground.

Mr. Hubbs questioned the boy thoroughly but he kept repeating that he was innocent and knew nothing. "Please tell us who gave you the note to give us boy," begged Trump. The boy kept quiet but kept looking towards the fields with shifty eyes. When he was threatened to be taken to the police he said, "a man gave me the paper to give to you. Now please let me go, I'm getting very late." Gerald caught the boy's arm saying, "if you don't tell us who this man is we will take you to the police and they will put you in jail. Do you want that? No, then please tell us and we will make sure you come to no harm." The scared little boy thought about this and at last relented.

"My uncle gave me the note to give you. He took away Bruno last evening. It was me who took his place at the first show." "So that's the reason the clown did not remember his act. It was you and not our dear Bruno," said Princy angrily.

"You must know your uncle's hide-out. Tell us immediately," said Mr. Hubbs. "I can't, he will kill me if I do,"cried the boy. "If you don't, we will hand you over to the police," said Trump."no, please don't do that, I will tell you," agreed the boy."Bruno has been taken to uncle's hide-out at his village home. It is three miles from here near the end of this town. I was going there on foot. I can take you there but if he gets to know that I'm being followed, he will do something terrible to Bruno," said the boy.

Mr. Hubbs took the police and they followed the boy at a distance.after walking for sometime, the boy stopped hiding behind a big tree. He pointed towards a small building at the far corner saying, "That's where Bruno has been kept. Will you please save me from uncle?" "Yes I will," said the constable. "If you want to get away from your uncle's clutches, you can come and live with us. You can do odd jobs for us and earn your keep," said Mr. Hubbs kindly.

"Oh! Thank you sir I would love to stay with you all. I love your circus. Maybe Bruno will teach me his act too" said the boy with excitement. "Ok! keep quiet for now and hide behind the tree while we get Brunoback, said the constable.

They tiptoed towards the building and saw Bruno tied up on a chair. Two burly men were sitting playing cards in front of the room. The constable fired in the air, taking the men by surprise. They tried to get up and run Mr. Hubbs and the constable overpowered them. They were handcuffed and Bruno was saved.

The next day, the five kids attended the circus showing again, this time with the real Bruno's performance. Mr. Hubbs did not take money for the tickets because without Bruno the first time, the children did not have this much fun as they did this time.

Violet and Justin went back home and related the events at the circus to their parents on the way. "I'm glad you children could help save Bruno from the kidnappers," said Bert. "Yes I am proud of you. All of you did a good job," smiled Valerie.

This way another mystery was solved.

Also in the Series

The Mystery on the Paradise

The Mystery of the Missing Man

The Mystery at the Fun-Fair

Contributing Story Teller:  Amita enjoys writing stories and poems, especially for kids. She has strong editing and translation skills. amita17149@hotmail.com