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

little girl who wore matching yellow ribbons in her hair. The judges made notes as each contestant passed. They smiled at the little girl and her pony when they stopped in front of their booth. The pony bowed to the judges.
    â€œThe judges liked that,” Henry said as the contestants marched around the tent. “I’ll bet the pony will win.”
    The judges talked together for a few moments and rose to make their announcement.
    â€œThe winner of the Greenfield County Livestock Show is Cindy Morgan and her pony, Dancer!”
    â€œI knew they were going to win,” Henry said. The little girl smiled as the judges presented her with the trophy and the prize money. She took the Best of Show ribbon and tied it to Dancer’s mane. The crowd cheered and applauded.
    The Boxcar Children walked down the bleachers and headed toward the exits with the rest of the crowd.
    â€œDid you notice that nothing unusual happened during this contest?” Jessie said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Henry asked.
    â€œWell,” Jessie continued. “In all the other events something went wrong. But this one went smoothly.”
    â€œMaybe it’s because the person who is causing all the trouble at the fair didn’t enter the livestock show,” Violet said.
    â€œI think you’re right,” Henry said.
    â€œWe’d better go over to the arts competition tent,” Violet said. “I want to make sure nothing goes wrong during that event.”
    Suddenly Benny grabbed Violet’s arm.
    â€œLook over there,” Benny said. “It’s the man in the baseball cap.”
    The man in the baseball cap stood near the judges’ booth. He held a pen and a notebook. From time to time, he looked suspiciously around the crowded tent. Then he wrote something down in his notebook.
    â€œNow’s our chance to follow him, Benny,” Henry said.
    â€œGood luck,” Jessie said. “We’ll be in the art tent. Meet us there as soon as you can.”
    â€œOkay,” Benny said. The boys moved quickly through the crowd toward the man in the baseball cap. They were only a few feet from him when he turned to leave the tent.
    â€œI hope they can keep up with him,” Violet said.
    â€œWe’d better hurry,” Jessie said. “The arts competition will be starting soon.”
    As the girls headed toward the art tent, Jessie spotted Susie Martinilli.
    â€œHi, Susie,” Jessie called. “Wait for us.”
    â€œHello,” Susie said, smiling. “Are you going to the art tent?”
    â€œYes,” Violet said. “Are you?”
    â€œI am in just a minute,” Susie said. “By the way, how did things go at the crafts exhibit yesterday?”
    â€œIt was pretty exciting there for a while,” Jessie said. “Someone took the prize money, the trophy, and the blue ribbon.”
    â€œReally?” Susie said. “How awful! What happened?”
    â€œIt appears someone took the prizes while the judges were gone,” Violet said. “Luckily, we found them in a bag behind the crafts tent.”
    â€œGoodness,” Susie said. “There’s been one problem after another at this fair.”
    â€œThere sure has,” Jessie agreed.
    â€œOh, Susie,” Violet said. “There’s a yellow stain on your pretty pink blouse.”
    â€œOh, no,” Susie said. She rubbed at the spot for a moment. “I was in such a hurry I didn’t even notice it.”
    â€œIt’s still damp,” Violet said. “That looks like Shimmery Yellow No. 7. Is it?”
    â€œWhy, yes,” Susie said. “I just touched up my painting with it. I must have gotten some of it on my blouse.”
    â€œI’ve spilled that paint on my clothes before,” Violet said. “All you have to do is rinse it out with water to remove the stain.”
    â€œWell, I don’t have time to worry about it now,” Susie said.