Read Online The Mystery at the Fair by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online

the things were in her bag,” Violet said.
    â€œTrue,” Jessie said, “but Kristie has been acting very strange lately.”
    â€œKristie has been acting kind of strange,” Violet agreed, “but I think it’s because she didn’t really want to enter the contest in the first place.”
    â€œWhat about the man in the baseball cap?” Benny said. “He always seems to be around when something has gone wrong.”
    â€œYes,” Violet said, “but he hasn’t been entered in any of the contests.”
    â€œBut he sure acts suspiciously,” Jessie said.
    â€œMaybe if we see him tomorrow we can follow him,” Henry said.
    â€œI can help you follow him,” Benny offered. “I’ll be very quiet so he won’t know I’m around.”
    â€œThis I’d like to see,” Jessie said as she smiled at her noisy younger brother.
    â€œI sure wish I knew who that girl was Kris-tie saw in the art tent,” Violet said.
    â€œWhen we see Kristie tomorrow maybe we can ask her again,” Henry said.
    â€œSpeaking of tomorrow,” Jessie said, “we’d better go to bed now. The livestock show starts early in the morning. And we’ve got a mystery to solve.”
    The next morning, as the children were getting ready to leave for the fair, the phone rang.
    â€œAlden residence,” Jessie said. She listened quietly for a moment, then she said, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Courtney. Tell Michael I hope he feels better soon. I’ll call you after the fair and tell you everything that happened.”
    â€œIs something wrong?” Violet asked.
    â€œMichael isn’t feeling well this morning,” Jessie said. “Courtney says they won’t be able to go to the fair with us today because she has to baby-sit Michael.”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” Henry said. “We were all having so much fun.”
    â€œWe sure were,” Violet agreed. “I hope Michael feels well enough to come to Grandfather’s birthday party tomorrow.”
    â€œCourtney said that she’s going to make sure Michael stays in bed all day today,” Jessie said. “He should feel better by tomorrow.”
    â€œI hope so,” Benny said. “Why don’t we make him a get-well card when we get home?”
    â€œThat’s a wonderful idea, Benny,” Violet said. “We can make a card for Grandfather’s birthday, too.”
    â€œWell, we’d better hurry if we’re going to get to the fair before it starts,” Jessie said.
    â€œAnd get back in time to buy Grandfather’s birthday gift,” Henry said.
    The children ran as fast as they could to the fairgrounds. The livestock show was just starting when they arrived.
    â€œI love the livestock show!” Benny said.
    â€œI love this show, too,” Violet said. “The animals are so beautiful.”
    â€œThe parade is about to begin,” Henry said.
    â€œLadies, gentlemen, boys, and girls,” the announcer said. “Welcome to the Greenfield County Livestock Show! Now we will begin the animal promenade, after which the animals will be on display in the livestock tent. See if you can pick the winner of the Best of Show ribbon and the $25 cash prize! Good luck, everyone!”
    The crowd began to cheer as the parade began. Children and adults marched into the arena with their animals beside them. Horses, sheep, goats, cows, and pigs, some with bright ribbons tied around their necks, walked alongside their owners. They mooed, baaed, and squealed noisily as they paraded around and around the ring.
    â€œLook at that little horse,” Benny said. “I could ride that one.”
    â€œThat’s a pony, Benny,” Violet said. “Look at all the pretty ribbons tied in its mane.”
    â€œIt’s beautiful,” Jessie said. “And so well trained.”
    The pony obediently pranced beside its owner, a