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

you again for your patience. Enjoy the fair.”
    Everyone began filing out of the tent and into the bright sunshine.
    â€œWell, I never,” Jessie heard Mrs. Stephens say. “All this waiting and we still don’t know who the winner is.”
    â€œMother,” Kristie replied. “The judges just need a little more time in order to reach a decision.”
    â€œWell, nothing has been done properly during any of these competitions,” Mrs. Stephens said. “It’s simply not fair. I’m not going to put up with losing again just because these judges don’t know the rules.”
    â€œWhy don’t we get something to eat while we’re waiting?” Kristie suggested. “It might make you feel better.”
    â€œAll right,” Mrs. Stephens said. “But after this event I’m going to go talk to the contest official. Something has to be done about these rules.”
    Jessie couldn’t hear anything else because Kristie and her mother were soon lost in the crowd. Henry tapped her on the shoulder.
    â€œJessie, everybody’s sitting over there,” Henry said. He pointed to the other children who were seated underneath a tree.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Jessie said. “I was listening to Mrs. Stephens. She’s really upset about the competition.”
    â€œOne mysterious thing after another has happened at this fair,” Henry said. “Tonight let’s see if we can put our heads together and find out why.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Jessie said. “I know that there must be a reason for all this trouble.”
    â€œMaybe we can all try to think of every suspicious thing we’ve seen and heard while we’ve been here,” Henry suggested. “Then we might be able to solve this mystery.”
    Henry and Jessie ran to join the other children. They were trying to decide what to do while they waited for the judges’ decision.
    â€œLet’s enter the sack race!” Benny said. “That was fun last year.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Jessie said. “I love the sack races.”
    â€œDo they give prizes for the sack race?” Michael asked.
    â€œNo,” Violet said. “It’s just for fun.”
    â€œLet’s go!” Benny said.
    The sack races were held in a large field next to the fair rides. Several children were already gathered around a pile of empty potato sacks.
    â€œWhew,” Courtney said as she held the top of her sack and tried to walk. “Moving around in this sack is harder than it looks.”
    â€œIf you think this is hard,” Jessie said, “just wait until the three-legged race starts.”
    When all the children had slipped on a sack, they waddled over to join the rest of the crowd.
    â€œI feel like a duck,” Benny said.
    â€œWell,” Courtney said. “You’ll need to hop like a rabbit in order to win.”
    After everyone was in line, the contest began.
    â€œReady, Set, Go!” the judge said as he waved his arms to start the race.
    Everyone began hopping toward the finish line. Benny was halfway across the field when, suddenly, he tripped. Michael stumbled over him. Jessie collided with Michael. Violet and Courtney landed in a pile next to her. Soon Henry was laughing so much he could hardly breathe. All the other children began to laugh with him.
    â€œWell, at least no one is hurt,” Henry said.
    â€œOnly my pride,” Jessie said as she struggled to her feet. Henry helped her up.
    â€œLet’s try the three-legged race now,” Violet said. “We had better luck with that race last year.”
    â€œI didn’t fall down during the three-legged race,” Benny said.
    â€œGood,” Michael said. “We can race together.”
    The children chose a brightly colored scarf from a pile that was marked Three-Legged Race. Henry helped Benny and Michael tie their ankles together. Then he pulled