The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom Read Online Free PDF Page A

one of the golden ponies. As she watched, the boy leaped up and balanced on his hands on the back of the prancing pony, just like the red-haired girl from the parade. “Lordy!” She stared in wonder. “Does everyone here have an act?”
    Malachy tapped his clumpy foot with his stick. “Everyone except me.”
    Lizzie glanced down, wondering what to say.
    â€œDon’t worry.” Malachy shrugged. “I got extra brains instead.”
    Before Lizzie could speak, Malachy grabbed her arm and tugged her sideways. “Keep your eyes peeled around here.” He pointed to one of the elephants swaying heavily toward them. “If you get trampled it’s your own fault.”
    â€œIt’s huge!” Lizzie’s heart lurched as it tramped so close that she felt the air stir around her. Its ears flapped like wings, and its wrinkly flesh rippled with each thumping step. She gripped onto Malachy as the ground shook beneath her feet. “Does it trample many people?”
    Malachy laughed. “Only people daft enough not to see her coming.”
    A tiny Indian man followed behind the elephant. He wore a vest and carried a broom in one hand and a cake of soap in the other. “Good morning, Malachy,” he called.
    â€œMorning, Zezete.” Malachy patted the elephant. “Morning, Akula.” The animal lifted its trunk and trumpeted loudly.
    Lizzie covered her ears. Then her nose. The stench following the animal made her eyes water.
    â€œAkula’s going for her bath.” Malachy shielded his eyes. “I hope the park keepers aren’t awake yet. I don’t know if they’d approve of her bathing in their pond.”
    Lizzie giggled. “Can we watch?”
    â€œDon’t be rude!” Malachy grinned. “Poor Akula’s shy about bath time. She worries about her weight.”
    As his eyes flashed teasingly, Lizzie felt a jab of grief — that was the sort of silly thing her brother John would have said. She pushed the thought away and asked, “Ain’t they dangerous, with those big twisty teeth?”
    â€œNo,” said Malachy. “They may be big, but they’re gentle as anything. Not like the lion.” He pointed toward the wagon with iron bars that Lizzie had seen on the parade. “That’s Leo’s cage,” he told her. “He’s our lion.”
    â€œWhy’s it empty?” Lizzie glanced nervously over her shoulder.
    Malachy leaned close. “He escaped last night,” he whispered. “We’ve been looking for him ever since.” Without waiting for a response, he crossed the grass and stopped outside a bright yellow caravan. “Nora! Erin!” he called up the ladder steps.
    A curly redheaded girl poked out of the door. “What?”
    â€œCome and meet Lizzie,” Malachy said.
    The head ducked back inside. “Nora!”
    â€œThe Sullivans are the best bareback riders in Europe,” Malachy told Lizzie as she caught up. “That was Conor you saw practicing on the pony.”
    Lizzie heard the door open again, and two identical girls, both rosy-cheeked and with thick red hair, stepped out of the caravan.
    â€œHello,” said the first girl with a kind smile. “I’m Nora.”
    â€œAnd I’m Erin.” Her twin sister pushed ahead and grabbed Lizzie’s hand, shaking it enthusiastically. “Pleased to meet you.”
    â€œExcuse me!” Nora elbowed Erin aside. “Forgive my sister.” Her blue eyes twinkled as she spoke. “She’s got no manners.”
    â€œI do too!” Erin objected.
    â€œDo not.” Nora put her hands on her hips and faced Erin squarely. “No manners at all.”
    Malachy slid between them. “Before you start fighting, I was hoping your ma could find a bit of breakfast for Lizzie.”
    â€œIs she staying?” Nora asked.
    â€œIs she joining the circus?” Erin chimed in. Their squabble