probably working overtime after Rajah.”
“That is possible,” Jupiter admitted somewhat stiffly, “but we didn’t imagine what we had discovered just before we saw that man listening. Rajah did not escape, he was let loose!”
Mr. Carson watched them. “Come to my truck, boys.”
The trucks, trailers and cars of the carnival people were parked in a field next to the show. Mr. Carson and Andy lived in a truck with a trailer hookup on the rear. Inside were two bunks, chairs, a desk covered with business papers, a small safe, and a big wicker basket filled with damaged prizes — torn stuffed dogs, a dirty stuffed cat, broken dolls.
“I fix all the broken prizes,” Andy said proudly.
Mr. Carson was serious. “Sit down, boys, and tell me.” He listened intently as Jupiter described what they had found at Rajah’s cage. “I’ve studied lock-picking, sir, and I recognized the marks. We’re really experienced detectives.”
Jupiter handed Mr. Carson the boys’ card:
Mr. Carson smiled. “An interesting hobby, boys, but — ”
“Our work is more than a hobby, sir,” Jupiter said proudly. “The Rocky Beach Police attest to our seriousness.”
He presented the second card the boys carried:
“I apologize, boys,” Mr. Carson smiled. “The Chief’s statement seems to indicate you are real detectives. Still, you’re mistaken this time.”
“Jupe’s never mistaken, sir,” Bob declared.
“Come now, Bob. I’m sure that Jupiter is an amazing young man, but everyone can be mistaken.”
“But, Dad!” Andy broke in, “what about — ”
Mr. Carson stood up. “That’s enough, Andy! No more, you hear? Jupiter is mistaken. But the boys did us a service, and here are three free passes for everything at the carnival.” He handed them to the boys. “Is that a good reward, boys?”
“That is very generous, sir,” Jupiter acknowledged.
“Oh, no!” Bob cried. “Look, the door!”
On the drawn blind of the rear door they all saw a massive shadow with wild hair, beard, and enormous shoulder muscles. “That’s the shadow!” Pete hissed.
Mr. Carson walked quickly to the door, opened it, and then turned to the boys smiling. A man entered, and the boys gaped at him. He was only normally tall, but his bare shoulders bulged with muscles. He wore only black- and-gold tights, which clung to his powerful legs like skin, and tight, gleaming leather boots. His black hair and beard stood out wild and thick.
“This,” Mr. Carson said, smiling, “is Khan, our strong man. One of your mysteries is explained, boys. Khan, like all of us, has more than one job. He’s in charge of our security. I’d guess he saw you slipping round and decided to check on you.”
“That is correct,” Khan said in a deep, serious voice.
Mr. Carson nodded. “There you are then, boys. Now I have business with Khan, and Andy must go back to his job. Go and have fun. Remember, it’s all free.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jupiter said quietly. He motioned to Bob and Pete. Outside the truck, Jupiter walked ahead until they were behind a trailer, out of sight of the truck. Then he suddenly stopped, ducked down, and peered back.
“’What are you doing, Jupe?” Bob asked.
“I’m sure something is wrong in this carnival, Records” the First Investigator said. “That Khan has something on his mind. He didn’t look much like a guard when he was listening to us. And I’m sure Andy would have told us something if his father hadn’t stopped him. Let’s get closer to that window and listen.”
“Wait!” Pete said quickly.
Andy Carson came out of the truck and hurried away towards his shooting gallery. The boys slipped up to the window, Khan’s deep voice was saying.
“… now Rajah escapes. What next, Carson? Maybe we won’t be paid at all.”
“You’ll all be paid next week. Khan,” Mr. Carson said.
Khan said, “You know how superstitious carnival people are. The show is unlucky. There will be more trouble.”
“Now, Khan, listen to me. You — ” There was a step inside, and the window banged shut above the boys’ heads. They heard no more and hurried away.
“Gosh, there is trouble,” Pete exclaimed, “but what can we do if Mr. Carson won’t even talk about it?”
Jupiter was thoughtful. “He won’t let Andy talk, either, but we have passes, and we can watch. Tomorrow, Bob can check the newspapers at the library for any stories of trouble at the carnival in other towns. Tomorrow, we’ll meet and see what we can decide.”
“What are you going to do, First?” Bob asked.
“I think,” Jupiter said ominously, “I shall spend the rest of the night in search of the necessary knowledge.”
Pete slept badly that night, trying to think of ways to make Mr. Carson let the boys investigate. By morning he still had no ideas and was eager to find out if the other Investigators had thought of something. He hurried down to breakfast and found his father was up ahead of him.
“Gosh, you’re up early, Dad,” Pete said.
“A hurry call from Alfred Hitchcock,” Mr. Crenshaw explained, “Some special work on our new picture. Unfortunately, Pete, I promised your mother I’d clean out the basement today. I’m afraid you’re elected to do it for me.”
Pete groaned inwardly and said, “Sure, Dad. I’ll do it.”
That was why Pete didn’t pedal his bike up to the Jones Salvage Yard until after lunch. In the yard he made his way to a long section of corrugated pipe that seemed to vanish into the mounds of junk. This was Tunnel Two, the main entrance to Headquarters. Pete crawled into the pipe and emerged up through the trap door into the trailer. Jupiter was there.
“Have you thought of a way to get Mr. Carson to let us help?” the First Investigator asked promptly.
“No,” Pete sighed. “I can’t think of anything.”
“Neither can I,” Jupiter admitted glumly. “I guess we don’t have a chance unless Bob finds something to help us at the library. I’ve been waiting for him.” Jupiter was standing at the See-All, and now he peered into the eyepiece again. The See-All was a crude but efficient periscope Jupiter had built to remedy the one disadvantage of Headquarters — they couldn’t see out. The See-All stuck up above the junk that hid the trailer, looking like a piece of ordinary pipe, and the boys could see most of the salvage yard.
“There he is now!” Jupiter cried.
Moments later, Bob came up through the trap door waving a notebook and looking excited.
“You found troubles at the carnival?” Pete exclaimed.
Bob beamed. “It took all morning, but I got it! The carnival isn’t very important, so I had to read most of the small-town newspapers.”
“What did you find. Records?” Jupiter asked impatiently.
Bob opened his notebook. “Three weeks ago the carnival lost its pony ride in Ventura. Three of the ponies
