Ten Thumb Sam by Rachel Muller Read Free Book Online

bus.
    Martin gave his sister a grin. “Hey—it would take more than a little tumble to hurt me.”
    But Max was not smiling as he followed his son onto the bus. “Dad,” Sam began, but his father cut him off with a wave of his hand.
    â€œI have just one thing to say tonight,” Max said, addressing everyone on the bus. “I’ve asked Mr. Pigatto to call a special meeting for the whole circus, nine o’clock sharp tomorrow morning, center ring. And I expect
everyone
,” he said, his eyes resting briefly on Sam, “to be there.”

Chapter Eleven
    Everyone had gathered in the big top by ten to nine the next morning. Mr. Pigatto climbed onto a pedestal and addressed the assembled group.
    â€œI expect you all have a pretty good idea why Max wanted this meeting,” he began in an unusually subdued voice. “We’ve had a number of misadventures recently, and Max and I agreed it was time we all discussed the situation together.”
    â€œLet’s get right to the point,” Sam’s father said, stepping up beside the ringmaster. “There’s a practical joker among us. Someone who seems to think that endangering members of my family is funny.”
    â€œNow hold on a minute, Max,” Uncle Albert interrupted. “What about the rest of us?”
    â€œIt’s not just my family that’s been targeted,” Max admitted. “But the other pranks were harmless comparedto what could have happened to Irene and the twins when that bird flew at them! Not to mention what happened to Martin yesterday. My son’s arm is in a cast, and I want to know who’s responsible!”
    â€œI think it’s Sam,” Sam heard Elizabeth whisper to Louise. “He’s jealous of the rest of us because he has no talent.”
    â€œOuch!” Sam said angrily as someone poked him in the side. He turned to confront Annabel. “What was that for?”
    â€œI think it’s you too,” his youngest sister said in a loud voice, putting her hands on her hips. “You knocked over Dad’s magic cart on purpose to wreck my disappearing act. I bet you did everything else too!”
    â€œWhat?” Sam sputtered.
    Mr. Pigatto broke in. “That’s a very serious accusation, Annabel.”
    â€œWell, Annabel did see Sam put Martin’s dishes in Mary Ann’s bunk,” Elizabeth pointed out.
    â€œYeah,” said Annabel. “I saw him!”
    Sam’s face was burning. “I’ve already explained that!”
    â€œWe need to hear the truth, Sam,” his mother said gravely. “Did you loosen Martin’s wheel last night? Or play any other pranks on anyone this week?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t!” Sam said, fighting hard to keep his voice under control.
    â€œListen, Sam,” said Mr. Pigatto. “This isn’t a trial. We just need to consider all the possibilities.”
    Herbie spoke up. “Well, if we’re considering
all
the possibilities, Mary Ann has been angry at everyone lately. She keeps talking about revenge.”
    Mary Ann squealed. “My own brother! I’ll get you for that!”
    â€œSee?” he said.
    Harriet put her hand up. “If you think about it, anyone in our family could have done it.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” her father demanded.
    â€œIt’s just that these ‘accidents’ didn’t start happening until after we arrived,” Harriet said.
    â€œBut what would your family have to gain from sabotaging the Triple Top?” asked Mrs. Pigatto. “You came here as a last resort.”
    â€œYeah,” said Mary Ann. “The truth is the Stringbinis have as much motive to sabotage the circus as anyone in our family.”
    â€œWhy?” Elizabeth and Louise demanded in unison.
    â€œSo you can pin the blame on us and then kick us out,” said Mary Ann
    â€œThat’s ridiculous!” said