Read Online The Mystery of the Masked Rider by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

was confused, but thenthe dim light from the stable aisle reminded her of where she was. Checking her watch, she noticed it was four A.M.
    Suddenly a rustling noise and the quick clip-clop of horse’s hooves startled Nancy. She decided she’d better check Nightingale.
    Unzipping the sleeping bag, Nancy slipped out of it and put on her sneakers. Then she jumped from the cot and ran to the doorway. A figure dressed in a black hat and cape was running down the aisle. Nancy blinked. I must be dreaming, she thought.
    Then Nancy glanced in the opposite direction. Nightingale’s stall door was wide open. In two strides Nancy was standing in the doorway. The stall was empty. Nightingale was gone!

9
A Very Close Call
    Nancy’s mind raced as she grabbed a lead line and dashed down the aisle the way the costumed figure had gone. Frantically she hunted right and left for Nightingale. Had Colleen arrived early to exercise her? Or had the figure in black stolen the valuable mare?
    At the intersection Nancy stopped, held her breath, and listened. The stable was quiet. Suddenly, a low nicker and answering whinny came from the left. Then Nancy heard the clip-clop of hooves once again. It had to be Nightingale.
    Nancy took off down the aisle, screeching to a halt at the second T. With a gasp of relief she saw Nightingale ambling in the opposite direction. There was no sign of the costumed person. When the mare stopped to poke her head into a stall, Nancy approached her, hand extended, palm flat as if she had a treat.
    â€œWhoa, girl,” she crooned. “Whoa, Nightingale.”
    The mare turned her head and eyed Nancy curiously. Then Nancy looked beyond Nightingale and noticed the bluish glow of the parking lot lights. Someone had left the metal gate wide open.
    Nancy’s heart quickened. She had to catch Nightingale before the mare panicked and dashed for freedom!
    â€œLook what I’ve got for you,” Nancy said, still holding out her empty hand. Slowly she walked toward the mare. “It’s really nothing, but if you let me catch you I promise we’ll go back to your cozy stall, and I’ll give you a bucket of grain. How does that sound?”
    Nightingale pricked her ears. Nancy held her breath. Three more steps and she’d be able to grab the mare’s halter.
    Just when she was almost close enough to grasp the leather strap, a loud clang made Nancy jump. Nightingale threw her head up and wheeled around, then raced for the open gate.
    â€œWhoa, Nightingale!” Nancy cried, but it was too late. The gate was only fifteen feet ahead, and the mare wasn’t going to stop.
    Suddenly a stocky figure leapt from a stall doorway and, holding up its arms, hollered, “Whoa!” Surprised, Nightingale slid to a halt. The split-second stop was all the person needed to reach up and grab the side of the mare’s halter.
    Nightingale reared and started to scramble backward, but the person held tight. Nancy ran up and quickly snapped on the lead line. When she turned, she could see that the person was a woman with close-cropped hair.
    â€œThanks,” Nancy managed to gasp before Nightingale, still excited, snorted and pranced sideways. Reaching up, Nancy ran a soothing hand down the horse’s sweaty neck. “Easy girl,” she said. “You’re all right.”
    â€œYou and your horse doing a little sleepwalking?” the woman asked when Nightingale had finally calmed down.
    â€œUh, no,” Nancy stammered. “I’m afraid she got out.”
    The woman raised one eyebrow. “Better be more careful next time,” she said gruffly. Then, noticing Nancy’s flush of embarrassment, she added, “Accidents happen to everyone. I should know.”
    Nancy wondered what the woman meant. “Well, thanks again. I don’t know who left the gate open.” Nancy nodded toward the end of the aisle. “Did you see anyone around?”
    â€œNope. I was