"I have a date with Ned," she reminded herself. "I'm sure he'll be glad to come to the circus."

At seven o'clock Ned Nickerson, Emerson College's star football player, arrived at the Drew home. Nancy showed him her gold horse bracelet and told him of the new mystery, then she asked him if he would take her to the circus.

"Glad to." He grinned. "But listen here, young lady," Ned said, "don't get yourself so mixed up with clowns and aerialists that you can't even find time to talk to me!"

Nancy chuckled, but she knew Ned had good reason to scold her. Many times when they had a date she changed the plans completely and involved him in some mystery she was trying to solve.

"Lolita is the most wonderful aerialist I have ever seen," Nancy remarked as they neared the circus grounds.

"I just can't wait to see her," Ned teased. "I think I'll hire myself out as one of those princes."

Nancy made a face at him as he walked up to the ticket office.

"Two in the front row as near the center as possible," Ned told the ticket seller.

"Sorry, sir," the man replied, "there's not even standing room left."

Nancy's heart sank. She stepped up to the window. "It's very important that I see the show this evening. Couldn't we just—?"

"Sorry, miss," the man said firmly. "Not one more person can be admitted."

CHAPTER VA Strange Attack

Nancy looked pleadingly at the ticket seller. Something about her expression made him ask:

"Why is it so necessary that you see the performance? Some friend of yours in it?"

"In a way, yes," Nancy replied. She did not want to tell him about the mystery, but she did want to get inside the grounds. Suddenly Nancy had an idea and said, "Couldn't we go in just to see the animals and the side shows?"