The Mystery of the Masked Rider Read Online Free PDF Page A

me.”
    â€œOkay.” Nancy decided to back off, even though Phil was her most likely suspect. He knew about the alarm, he knew his way around the barn, and he had been at the Healeys’ farm. He even had a motive. Maybe Bess thought jealousy wasn’t a strong enough reason for Phil to try and hurt Nightingale, but Nancy wasn’t so sure. One thing was certain: There was no use pressing the matter if Colleen was being adamant about Phil’s innocence.
    â€œOkay, so let’s look at the people who were here the morning Nightingale got sick,” Nancy began. “Why don’t you tell me more about Gloria Donner, that trainer you mentioned?”
    â€œLet me turn Nightingale out in the paddock first,” Colleen said, taking the lead line from Bess. “A little grass will take her mind off her leg, and we can watch her from the porch. Besides,” she added, wiping the perspiration off her forehead, “I could use a soda.”
    Colleen led Nightingale to a lush pasture, where a fat Shetland pony was grazing. When he saw Nightingale, he raised his head and whinnied. Opening the gate, Colleen turned the mare loose, then draped the lead line over the fence.
    Nightingale trotted two faltering steps, thenstopped to sniff noses with the pony. He squealed and pawed the air. Then the two ducked their heads and began to graze side by side.
    â€œThat’s Jester, my old pony,” Colleen told Nancy and Bess as they walked toward the house. “I learned to ride on him. Now he’s just company for Nightingale.”
    Fifteen minutes later the girls were lying comfortably on deck chairs with sodas in hand. It was a perfect October day—cool and crisp, yet the sun felt warm on Nancy’s skin. Colleen’s parents were both at work.
    â€œOkay, now back to Gloria Donner,” Colleen began as she relaxed back in her lounge chair. “She’s a trainer who has a small stable about half an hour from here. Nightingale and I have taken a few lessons from her this year. If I continue to show grand prix, though, I’m going to need a full-time trainer. I was thinking about hiring Gloria, and she seems pretty eager to take us on.”
    â€œWell, that rules her out,” Bess said, reaching for a bowl of chips. “She’d have nothing to gain if Nightingale got sick. If I were you, Nancy, I’d concentrate on the San Marcoses. Diego seemed kind of ruthless to me. Charming, but ruthless.”
    â€œMmmm.” Nancy slowly sipped her soda. “Except what would they gain if Nightingale was hurt?”
    Colleen shook her head. “Marisa has been competing against me all year. We both showedin the amateur-owner jumper classes. I usually beat her, but I can’t see them resorting to something this low to win. Besides, at the International, Marisa’s going to be riding amateur-owner while I’m riding grand prix.”
    â€œWhat does amateur-owner mean?” Nancy asked.
    â€œAmateur means you’re riding for pleasure, not for money like a professional. An amateur still gets the prize money if she wins, but someone can’t hire an amateur to ride a horse. I decided to start riding grand prix because there’s more money in it, and if Nightingale’s successful in that level of competition, she’ll be worth more, too.”
    â€œGot it,” Nancy said. “And now that you and Marisa are riding in different classes, there’s no reason for the San Marcoses to sabotage your horse.”
    â€œRight,” Colleen agreed. “And since they want to buy Nightingale, they certainly wouldn’t want to see her hurt. Besides, you saw Marisa. She’s crazy about Nightingale.”
    Bess gave a rueful chuckle. “The mystery gets curiouser and curiouser. I think, Colleen, that there’s only one thing for you to do.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Nancy and Colleen asked in unison.
    â€œHire two horse bodyguards to