Chapter 9 The mysterious disappearing trapeze
"North Hills had quite a few carnivals and garden parties too." Old Sam Hawthorne poured out two glasses of sherry, one of which was passed to the guests, "but it wasn't until the summer of 1935 that the first really big The circus just came to this town. That July, the town really became famous, even people from Hartford, Providence and Spring Field came all the way..."
The arrival of the circus was decided suddenly, and the big city didn't build the new fairground in time.Therefore, Beagle and the Brothers Circus only had a schedule in mid-July, and condescended to visit Beishan Town.They chose this town because it was easily accessible by roads and spectators from all over southern New England.Sergeant Lan Si didn't get the news until one month before the performance started, and he didn't know until he saw the billboards and notices.
Beagle and Brothers Circus was one of the first circuses in the country to travel by train, rather than by horse-drawn carriage.They demanded that the venue be close to the railroad and be several acres in size.So Pop Wharton's farm was just right for it.After the old man was hospitalized, the farm happened to be idle.Pope is my patient, nearly seventy years old.He was in good spirits and was busy all day until his rheumatism broke him down.The Whartons' son Mike didn't want to take care of the farm.He persuaded the old man to accept a circus contract to earn a few pockets while the farm was idle.
The circus came to Beishan Township by train on Monday morning.I promised Teddy Lens to show him at seven o'clock in the morning.Teddy is the nephew of Sheriff Lansi, who came to visit his uncle's house from Boston.The little guy's father lost his job because of the Great Depression.I guess Sheriff Lens and his wife took care of him for a summer, and his family can save a bite for chewing for a while.The little guy is very lively. Since the first day he arrived in Beishan Town, he has been looking forward to the arrival of the circus.
"Are they there yet?" he asked as he climbed into my convertible.
"Should be here. Let's go and see."
"Doctor Sam, you have a nice car."
"Thank you." I smiled and drove straight to Wharton Farm.I was almost as excited as Teddy at the thought of seeing elephants and trapeze.And, there's the guilty pleasure of leaving clinic work behind.
We were not disappointed.The car turned over the last hill, and the first thing that caught the eye were two elephants, helping to set up the tent.There are more than a hundred workers working around.Some are busy unloading trucks, some are setting up animal cages, and some are setting up tents and putting up billboards.I parked the car and held Teddy's hand firmly, lest he accidentally rush into the huge herd of elephants.
"Welcome." A man with a mustache and a leather jacket asked flatteringly, "Take your son to the circus to prepare for the show?"
"Well, he's not my son, but you're right about our purpose. I'm Dr. Sam Hawthorne, practicing in North Hills. This is Teddy Lance, the sheriff's nephew."
Teddy shook hands with the man.
"My name is George Beagle," the man said while shaking hands, "I run this circus." He lowered his head and grinned at Teddy.
"Nice to meet you, sir. May I see Mr. Brother?"
The man laughed. "Nobody called a brother, kid. I guess you mean the Lampiz Fly Brothers. You'll see them in the show—five brothers." He pointed at the big Billboard says.On the billboard, five black-haired young men were painted, flying around on a high-altitude swing on the sawdust-covered performance venue, turning around non-stop.One of them is letting go of the swing in his hand and flying towards the responder who is hanging on the other swing by his knees.
"Whoa!" cried Teddy. "Have you any clowns?"
"The clown?" Beagle looked around and called the thin man who happened to be on the side: "Harvey, this kid wants to know if we have a clown."
The man turned around and walked towards us with clown makeup already on his face.Silently, he put a hand into his wide cuff, conjured up a bouquet of paper flowers, and handed it to Teddy.Then he repeated the trick and conjured a live rabbit from the other cuff.He gave Teddy the rabbit as well, then bowed and smiled at us, and walked away slowly.
"He's Harvey the Clown," said George Beagle. "Never speaks, but always entertains."
"He makes me so happy!" cried Teddy, stroking the little fluffy bunny. "Doctor Sam, can I keep him?"
"Then I have to ask your uncle and aunt." I couldn't help being happy when I thought of Sergeant Lan Si's face to the pet bunny.
"You are the first guests to visit, and our group has prepared other gifts." Beagle handed me two tickets for the afternoon show, "I hope to be lucky enough to meet you two in the front row."
"We will definitely be there." I solemnly said.I hadn't planned to take Teddy to the circus that afternoon, but seeing how happy he was, I couldn't bear to refuse.
At this time, a tall beautiful woman came towards Beagle.She had waist-length black hair that shone brightly. "This is my wife Hilda," he said, "and she's going to be riding bareback this afternoon."
Hilda nodded perfunctorily at us and said to Biggle, "Come on, George. Something went wrong unloading the cage."
"Okay. I gotta go, guys. See you later."
We stayed for a while to see Beast Star, and to see the pitching of tents, and then I took Teddy home.The good show was officially staged in the afternoon.
Sergeant Lens and his wife Vera decided to go to the circus with us in the afternoon.Their seats are far back and on the far side.Teddy and I sat in the middle of the fourth row and waved to them triumphantly.The seats weren't actual chairs—they were bleachers with lines drawn on them—but that didn't matter to Teddy, what mattered was that this was the best day of his life.The show begins with a circus parade, featuring animal stars and actors, including Hilda the naked saddle jockey, and the five Lampitz brothers, trapezemen in shiny leggings.Harvey the Clown, sad-faced, was in the procession, blowing his trumpet like Harper Marcus.
When the last group of animal stars and actors exited, George Beagle, dressed in the traditional costume of a circus host, appeared in the center of the spotlight, took off his hat and bowed to the audience around him: "Welcome! Welcome to Beagle and Brothers Circus Group, let us enjoy the wonderful circus performance together in the tent! The next two hours will make everyone dazzled, surprised and laughing. During the watching process, everyone must not blink. Because not only in the three venues, Even above your heads there will be wonderful presentations. First of all, let us welcome the Queen of the Naked Saddle - the amazing Hilda! She will give you a breathtaking stunt riding show with two wild horses! "
Hilda straddled two gray horses running side by side, and Shi Shi ran into the arena.Teddy's eyes widened in wonder.Even I couldn't help but widen my eyes because Hilda's shiny costume was so cool, revealing most of her gorgeous figure.She performed a lot of riding acrobatics.When she somersaulted on horseback, the audience burst into applause and cheers.
After the rodeo, the colorful spotlights were aimed at the entrance of the stage again.Harvey came on stage with a group of clowns waddling around. "Isn't that Harvey!" Teddy yelled excitedly as he recognized the performer, tugging at my sleeve.
"That's right, it's him."
Harvey conjures a live duck out of his baggy coat.He pretended to fall when the other clowns beat him with their fists.He seemed to recognize Teddy and me, and walked up to Teddy, giving Teddy a medal made of colored cardboard.Then he came back to the middle of the sawdust-strewn field, and another clown hit him hard with a rubber club.
Suddenly, the circus band played a passionate tune, and although the clowns continued to frolic, the spotlight had shifted to other places, shining on the five acrobats who appeared quickly.Beagle's voice came from nowhere, resounding through the loudspeaker: "Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the superstars of this show——Five Flying Lampiz brothers!"
Five dark-haired lads bowed to the audience, the lights glistening in their shiny leggings.The five people wore pants of different colors, white, pink, blue, yellow and green.The five people look similar, and they are brothers at first glance.Bigger went on to introduce: "This is Arturo in white pants, Lucio in pink pants, Guisepi in blue pants, Higragio in green pants, Pierre in yellow pants Please give them warm applause!"
The five brothers immediately began to perform.They easily climbed to the highest point of the tent through the rope ladder and walked onto the high-altitude platform built of wood.Arturo jumped first, high and far enough to hold on to the swing bars.There was a burst of applause from the crowd.One by one, the brothers jumped onto the swing set, performing dizzying acrobatics high in the air.They acted confidently, and after one particularly flashy move, Lucio and Arturo fell to the safety net.The audience still cheered cheerfully, thinking that this was also part of the performance.Maybe it was actually part of the show—Harvey and the clowns are obviously well-trained, laughing and joking around the captured brothers.At the same time, the three brothers who were still flying in the sky continued to perform acrobatics without any confusion.
The spotlight shone on Lucio all the way up the rope ladder.The colorful lights in the whole greenhouse are dazzling, jumping and changing irregularly, making people crazy.Guisepi and Pierto stacked on a swing, then echoed, and Pierto caught Higueragio in mid-air.Arturo seemed to be the leader, now standing on the high-altitude platform, waiting for the empty swing to return.He easily caught the swing and swung towards the other three brothers.
It took me a long time to realize that something was wrong, and slowly realized what the problem was.The lights are still bright, the cheers and exclamations are endless, the trapeze is still swinging back and forth, and the aerial acrobatics are still going on – only suddenly, there are five performing brothers instead of four.I counted it again, carefully checking the color of the trousers.Blue, yellow, white, green.The one in the pink leggings—Lucio—was gone.
"Did you see the Pink Brothers?" I asked Teddy.
"No. Where did he go?"
"I don't know. Maybe he fell into the safety net." But I knew that wasn't the case.They only missed one drop.
Now, the brothers who seem to be performing also realize that Lucio is missing.They gathered together on the high-altitude platform to discuss.On the ground, George Beagle reappeared in circus emcee costume. "Please give the warmest applause to the Flying Brothers Lampiz again!" he shouted.
The four brothers in the sky jumped onto the swing one by one, swung into the air and then gracefully jumped onto the safety net.I looked carefully and there were indeed four people - Guiseppi, Pierto, Arturo and Higragio.The brothers walked out quickly amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the audience.Immediately afterwards, the lion cage and tiger cage were pushed out to prepare for the next animal taming performance.
"Can you stay here by yourself for a while?" I asked Teddy.
"Of course, Dr. Sam. Where are you going?"
"Just get out for a while. Don't walk away, stay where you are." I knew I could see him from the seat of Sheriff Lansi and his wife, so I wasn't too worried.
I walked toward the sawdust-covered ground, toward the aisle where the actors entered and exited.George Beagle, hatless, was talking animatedly with the four brothers. "What happened?" I asked Arturo. "Where's your brother?"
"He's gone." Arturo said simply, spreading his hands, "He was still there, but suddenly disappeared."
Sergeant Lan Si saw me leave my seat and followed me: "What's going on?"
"A juggler seems to be missing."
"I remember like five people at first."
Beagle's wife, Hilda, comes running in costume: "He's not in the lodging trailer."
"We seem to be in trouble," Beagle said, frowning.
"Big living people don't just disappear," I insisted.Over the past few years, I've heard of a few examples, all aided by elaborate subterfuge. "When did you find out he was missing?"
"I just did a two-week flip," Higragio said. "Lucio was supposed to follow me, but I looked left and right on the platform and couldn't find him."
"Did he fall into the net?" I asked.
Arturo, the oldest brother, said: "He did fall once, with me. But we all climbed up again."
"I know. I saw him." I turned my head and said to Sergeant Lan Si, "Captain, you must have seen him too, right?"
"I remember seeing this guy climb up," he said, nodding at Arturo, "but the other guy didn't notice."
"Well, I saw him anyway. I saw him climb up, but I don't remember if I saw him afterwards. The trapeze area is really dark if the lights are not direct."
"There's no way for him to escape," Beagle insisted, "unless he's on top of the tent."
"Could it be true?" I took a few steps back to get a better look at the top of the tent.But there was no one there.
"No, I'm just saying it," Beagle said. "The canvas for the tent is stretched over the posts. We don't want the tent to leak when it rains. Also, the high platform is ten feet from the top of the tent, and if he It’s impossible to climb up without being seen.”
"No matter what happened to him, someone must have seen it," said the sheriff. "There were hundreds of spectators in the tent."
"He'll show up," said Hilda uncertainly.
Everyone stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.I'm going to go back to Teddy.Sergeant Lan Si followed closely behind. "Circus people are weird," he said. "I remember one time—"
"Sheriff!" I stopped abruptly.
"What's wrong?"
He was still staring at the cage, where the trainer was waving whips and guns, telling the beasts to stay where they were.Instead, I looked towards the top of the tent.There was no one on the rope ladder, and no one on the high-altitude platform.But an empty swing swings back and forth, as if an invisible acrobat is hanging from it.
Guisepi and Pierto hurried up the rope ladder to find out.They returned to the surface with disappointing answers. "Maybe it's the wind." Pilto guessed.
"I don't think so. The shaking is very rhythmic, it doesn't look like the wind is blowing. Also, I heard the sound of the tent being pulled tight." The brothers came to the shed together.Harvey and the clowns appeared out of nowhere, ready to reappear as soon as the taming show was over.
"Did you see Lucio?" Beagle asked Harvey.The crying clown shook his head.I still don't know if he can talk.
Sergeant Lan Si was about to go back to his seat, muttering as he walked, there was nothing to investigate.Still, the mysterious disappearance of Lucio Lampiz bothers me. "What did you think of the show?" I asked Teddy when I got back to my seat.
"Excellent, Dr. Sam. The trainer made a tiger jump through the big hoop! Then he set the hoop on fire and made the tiger jump again - through the middle of the hoop!"
My eyes returned to the high-altitude swing again, and it seemed to be moving again.After a while, when the Lampitz brothers made their final appearance, I found that they noticed too.Arturo led the crowd up the rope ladder, but this time his movements seemed not so brisk.He looked back at the swinging swing.For most of the audience, even if they noticed Arturo's behavior, they probably thought it was part of the performance.However, I knew something was wrong.
Afterwards, Pilto hopped onto one swing, followed by the one that was still wobbling, without missing a beat.After that, the performance continued as usual.Until the end of the high-altitude show, no one mentioned the disappearance of Lucio.Then, Hilda rode out again, bringing the finale to the show.A rowdy group of cowboys fired blank bombs into the sky.
Finally, George Beagle's voice came through the loudspeaker again, saying that the show is over and please spread the word.The entire performance lasted only one hour and forty minutes, twenty minutes short of the scheduled two hours.I guess it's because of Lucio's sudden disappearance.
As I left, I chatted with the audience sitting next to me to confirm my observations.That's right, it started with five brothers, and no one is quite sure how the fifth guy disappeared.Everyone noticed that he had disappeared and was curious.One woman wondered if he had been injured when he was caught, but an old man assured her that he climbed back up the ledge afterwards.Several people chimed in, saying that a guy in pink leggings had climbed up again.
Sergeant Lan Si and his wife Vera dare to swear, and Arturo also returned to the high platform.They are clearly visible from the rear seats.
I pondered for a while, but couldn't come up with any ideas. "Five brothers went up first. Two fell, but they all climbed up again. Three brothers stayed in the air. Three plus the two who came up again. Three plus two equals—four?"
"It must be a trick of Bo's propaganda." Inspector Len Si muttered, "Let's leave it alone."
The sheriff, my wife, me, and Teddy walked across the dusty parking lot toward my convertible and the sheriff's limousine.Suddenly, I saw a man dressed as a clown come out of the circus and walk across the field towards the Wharton house. "Look," I said to the sheriff, "something's not quite right."
"Stop!" cried the Sheriff. "Come back!"
Hearing the words, the little scandal quickened his pace and started running.I hurried to catch up.I was in my thirties at the time and in good health.Although the ground was uneven, I quickly caught up with him and threw him to the ground. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" I grabbed him and asked.
"I didn't do anything," he said. "Let me go."
Sergeant Lan Si followed up: "Are you a circus clown?"
He stood up and broke away from me: "No, it's not."
"Then you've been arrested for illegally crossing someone else's land."
"Through the hell!" he yelled, and suddenly I knew who he was. "I'm Mike Wharton. This land belongs to my father."
Sergeant Lan Si was quite surprised: "Then can you explain why you are dressed as a clown?" I asked.I knew his father quite well, but not him.
His shoulders slumped, he twisted off the red rubber ball attached to his nose, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the paint on his face. "I—I don't know. I've always wanted to try being a clown. When I rented the land to Beagle, I made a condition that he would allow me to participate in the clown show."
"People really know everything about me." Sergeant Lan Si complained in a low voice.
"It's not a shame to be in a clown show," I said to Mike Wharton. "What were you running about?"
"I don't want to be involved," he said.
"What's involved?"
"The trapeze guy who disappeared. I think the police will be asking around. I see Sergeant Lens poking around already. I don't want the old man to find out I'm playing a clown. He'll say it's stupid."
"How do you know about the trapeze man?"
"I heard what Harvey said."
"Ha, so I'm glad he can talk."
"So, I want to sneak away before being questioned."
"You know Lucio, the one who disappeared?"
Wharton shrugged. "They all look alike to me. I've seen five of them, talked to them, but can't tell which is which." He was obviously in a hurry to walk away.
"Go," Sergeant Lan Si said, "If we have other questions, I know where to find you."
"Okay." Wharton said, running away like a fox breaking free from a trap.
"Do you think he knows anything?" I asked the sheriff.
"No, I don't think the kid can tell what time it is. Pop Wharton's lucky to have a pair of idiots." I knew he meant Wharton's daughter Isabella, who had been with her a few years ago. The bootlegger ran off and never came back.
I looked at the empty farmhouse at the other end of the field and wondered when it would be inhabited again.Mike had rented a room in town a few months ago.As soon as Dad was hospitalized, he obviously didn't want to take on the burden of farm work.Now the house is empty and unoccupied.The circus is close at hand, but the merry music and children's laughter are unheard of.
I went back to the sheriff's house with the sheriff, his wife and Teddy.They invited me to stay for a light meal.Teddy kept telling anecdotes about the circus and never noticed that something strange was happening.Even I began to feel that there seemed to be nothing special.The missing Lucio might be back in town tomorrow.I guess, maybe every performance he has to disappear for a while.
Later that day, I returned to the apartment to find a reporter named Jeff Slattery waiting for me outside. "I'm from the Springfield News," he said, showing his press card. "Someone called to provide information that a trapeze man went missing during a performance by Beagle and Brothers Circus today."
"Why are you asking me?" I asked.
"I went to George Beagle at the circus. He admitted it happened, and said you could testify. He said the sheriff saw what happened."
I looked closely at the young man in front of me.He wore a fedora and loose tie, presumably in imitation of a big-city reporter.I'm surprised he didn't pin his press card to the ribbon of his fedora.I told him everything I saw.
"Beagle said that the empty swing did sway by itself. It seems that the missing trapeze is still on it, invisible. Have you seen this?"
"Yes, I saw it. Maybe it was caused by the strong wind."
"It's not windy today."
I shrugged. "Listen, you can write whatever you like."
"They say you have experience solving similar mysteries."
"well enough."
"Are you going to solve this mystery?"
"Nobody asked me. Also, I don't think it's necessarily a mystery."
"That's mysterious enough to me."
When he was about to leave, I asked him: "Who gave you the news? Did you leave your name?"
"No. The informant said he was at the circus and witnessed the incident. The voice was a man. I think the news is worth a trip."
"Really?"
"Well, Lucio Lampiz is still missing. That's enough for me."
I stopped answering him and went into the house.I thought, whatever happened, it had nothing to do with me anyway.I pushed open the door and the phone was ringing.It was Nurse Aibo, asking me if I had a good day. "Does Teddy like circus beasts?"
"Beasts, clowns, anything. Nothing urgent in the clinic?"
"It's nothing important. Mrs. Mitchell's old problem is happening again, and I told her you should go see her tomorrow morning."
"very good."
"Sam—"
"how?"
"I was passing by the Whartons on my way home tonight. It was just after dark and I noticed the lights were on in Pop Wharton's room."
"Isn't he still in the hospital?"
"Of course. That's why I find it strange."
"Maybe it's his son. Maybe he's letting the circus guy stay for a few days, or maybe he's staying by himself."
"Are you going directly to Mrs. Mitchell's house tomorrow morning, or come to the clinic first?"
"I'm going to the clinic first. Thanks for calling, Aibo."
"Good night, Sam."
I hung up and tried to remember when she stopped calling me Dr. Sam, but couldn't.
I got up early the next morning with the intention of taking a detour to Wharton Farm.Nothing but curiosity.As soon as I arrived at the old wooden house, I saw that the lights in the bedroom on the second floor were still on.Even though it was already daylight, the light from the overhead light still filtered through the lace curtains.Behind the cabin, at the other end of the field, circus tents stood like sparse sentry posts.I vaguely heard the male elephant roaring in the distance, but here, everything is quiet.
I think it's too quiet.
Residents of Beishan Town don't keep their lights on all night.
The front door was unlocked, so I turned the handle and pushed it open. "Mike!" I yelled. "Mike Wharton! Are you there? I'm Dr. Hawthorne."
A red object fell from the stairs leading to the second floor, which was Mike's rubber nose.I called for a long time but no one answered, so I picked up the rubber nose and walked towards the second floor.The master bedroom was lighted, empty, and the bedding on the bed was visibly untouched.I walked down the corridor to the next room and opened the door.
As soon as I turned on the lights, colorful decorations rushed towards me.The walls of the room were painted pink and covered with pictures and pictures of clowns, most of which looked like they were cut out of magazines—there were clowns from the circus, clowns from movies, and even Caruso. Pucci Reynolds.On the floor in the middle of the room was a pile of what I thought was a dummy wrapped in a clown suit - but on closer inspection I realized it was the real thing, lying face down in a pool of dried blood inside.
"Mike." I muttered, bent down, and turned the man over to see if there were any signs of life.
To my surprise, it wasn't Mike Wharton in the clown suit.I'm pretty sure I've only seen him from a distance before—it's that vanished trapeze man, Lucio Lampiz.
Sergeant Lan Si and state police rushed to the scene of the crime and investigated carefully.I waited until the other Lampitz brothers came to identify the body.Arturo cursed at the sight of the body, and Guisepi wept aloud.All four brothers were sure that the deceased was their missing brother.The cause of death was six sharp injuries near the chest, at least one of which was to the heart.No murder weapon was found at the scene.
"I'm guessing the time of death was early last night," I said to the sheriff. "It will be more certain after the autopsy. However, from the dried blood, and when Ib drove home from the clinic last night, I saw the room Judging by the light, the approximate time of death should be correct."
"Then he was killed shortly after he disappeared."
"Indeed," I said, "underneath the clown suit, he's wearing pink leggings."
"But how did he disappear from the top of the tent, doctor? We all saw him climb up, and no one saw him come down."
"I've got an idea," I said, "you'd better go find Mike Wharton. He seems to be prime suspect."
"What motive does he have? Before yesterday, he must have never seen the dead."
"I don't know either. However, since Lucio returned to the empty house with the murderer yesterday, there seems to be a hint of sexual innuendo in it."
"You mean what are Walton Jr. and Lucio?"
"I don't know, Sheriff. I've got to see Mrs. Mitchell first. Then I'm going to visit Pope Wharton in the hospital."
It was almost noon when I got to Saints Memorial Hospital.I reported to Aibo at the clinic and then went to visit Pop Wharton.He was alone in the ward, frail and looking much older than his sixty-nine years.I looked at his medical card, sat on the edge of the bed, and asked how he was feeling.
"Sometimes good, sometimes not so good," he replied, in a small, muffled voice, "if only the arms and legs could move."
"Has Mike visited you?"
"Hasn't been in for a few days. I guess he got carried away by the circus on the farm."
His eyes are full of memories: "All the kids loved the circus—animal stars, clowns, and trapeze people, loud and colorful. Both of my kids loved circuses. I think they were quite obsessed for a while, Especially with clowns."
"I saw a room in your house covered with pictures of clowns."
He looked me in the eyes. "Crazy, isn't it? But the kids don't have a mother, it's just me. I guess I don't know how to discipline kids. Sometimes Mike gets too naughty and I lock him in the bedroom, But he'd jump out the window. I'm not harsh enough to think that losing their mother is bad enough for them."
"Do you think that the clown has somehow become a substitute for the mother."
"I don't know either. However, I know that their addiction is not normal." Tears dripped from the corners of the old man's eyes. "It is very painful to lose a child."
Back at the clinic, Aibo showed me the newspaper published in the afternoon in Haruno City. "That reporter, Jeff Slattery, just came here and left the paper," she said.
Newspaper headlines read "Mysteriously Disappeared Trapezoid Kills Grotesque Clown Show".
"That's sensational," I said. "It's sure to sell a lot more papers. Maybe I should show it to George Beagle."
"Are you going to go to the circus again?"
"Where else can I go? If I hurry up, I can catch up with the show in the afternoon."
The show had just started when I arrived.The parking lot around the show tent was packed with cars and buggies.The disappearance and death of Lucio Lampez did not affect the circus business in the slightest.I intend to confront Beagle immediately.However, on the way, they met Arturo, the eldest of the Lampiz brothers.I was surprised to see him in shiny leggings, obviously getting ready to put on a show.
"The show goes on," he answered my question curtly. "After all, everyone is here to see the Lampitz brothers."
"Arturo, introduce me to your brother. What kind of person is he?"
"He's not so much a man as a child. He's not yet twenty."
"Does he have a girlfriend?" I asked.
"Of course. Lots of girlfriends."
"In the town of the show?"
"Sometimes. He had a girlfriend at the circus too. I was like him when he was his age."
Harvey and the clowns make a quick exit, and George Beagle reappears in host costume. "No time to talk now," he said as soon as I approached. "Come see me after the show."
"Soon, I have a question. Why did you choose Beishan Town?"
"Someone in the circus who knows the country and thinks it would be a good idea to come here—I forget who. Get out of the way, doctor, will you? Hilda's coming on her horse in a minute."
I went to a rodeo and had a good first look at an animal show.Then I concentrated on watching the Lampitz brothers, watching the light change as they flew through the air.The audience erupted as they bowed out.
"Are you waiting for my husband?" Hilda asked me after the show.
"That's right."
She was slightly worried: "Listen, we don't want to get in trouble."
"It seems to me that you've got yourself in trouble. Murder is always annoying."
"I don't mean murder, I mean—"
Suddenly George Beagle appeared beside her. "Shut up, Hilda," he said. "You talk too much." The audience started to leave, and some came to ask for Hilda's autograph.
I pulled her husband aside. "Mr. Beagle, this is a murder investigation. Sooner or later it will come to light."
"Expose what?"
"The disappearance of Lucio Lampez was a publicity stunt by the circus, as Sergeant Lenz believed at first."
"You're crazy!" His eyes showed fear, "What kind of propaganda strategy is murder?"
"I'm not talking about murder now. I'm talking about something else. I know the secret of Lucio's disappearance. After he and Arturo fell off the high platform, the clowns rushed up to help them. One of the clowns replaced Lucio. Donned a baggy clown suit. He got out among the clowns."
"Everyone knew he was back on the ledge," Beagle retorted.
"No, not everyone. I saw it, Teddy saw it, a lot of people around our seats saw it. But people sitting in the back said they only saw Arturo crawling back. It's hard to tell when four brothers are performing and when all five are there. I ask myself why do I know Lucio is back on the high deck? You know they all look alike and I've never seen them before. There's only one The way to identify them is the color of the leggings they wear. From my seat, the pink spotlight on Arturo's white pants makes me think that he is Lucio. Sheriff Lance from another Looking at it from an angle, I knew it was Arturo."
George Beagle tried to crush me with his eyes, but finally relented: "Well, we do want to get some publicity. What's wrong with that?"
"Later, the empty swing swayed by itself because you tied the black strings and pulled it secretly. It's like a magic show."
"Yes, yes."
"Besides, it was you who called the reporter of "Spring Field"."
"Why not? I also called the reporters in Hartford and Providence. Only the Springfield guy came, though."
"Who killed that kid, Beagle? Are you afraid he'll tell the truth to the press?"
"Lucio is like my son. I won't even touch a hair on him."
As we stood awkwardly, I thought about it and decided to trust Beagle.The clowns help Lucio disappear, covering him from the tent.The Joker is definitely a key part of that.Also, Mike Wharton dressed as a clown.
I saw Harvey standing aside silently and stopped him.Not only did he not come over, but he hid in the big tent used for the performance.There must be no one in the tent.At this moment, I suddenly understood the truth.
I ran after him. "I know who you are!" I yelled, "You can't escape!"
Harvey ran for the opposite exit, but Sergeant Lens suddenly appeared there, followed by Jeff Slattery.Harvey looked around, and the clown's face contorted in panic.突然，他沿着绳梯，往高空平台爬去。我深吸口气，追了上去。
“大夫！”蓝思警长吼道，“别去！你疯了吗？”
哈维爬得比我快，他爬上平台后，转过身俯视着我，从衣服下面掏出一把小刀。蓝思警长说得没错——我疯了才追上来。
“得了，哈维，”我柔声说着，爬上平台面对他，“你已经杀了一个人。你不能再沾上鲜血了。”
他面对着我，刀子握得稳稳当当。我小心翼翼地向前跨了一步，他挥动小刀，差点儿划破我胸口。地面上发生着什么我看不见，也听不到。在这一刻，我的世界里只有小丑哈维一人。
“你在老宅的旧房间里杀了卢西奥，”我平静地说，“为什么这么做？”
刀子再次划过空中，让我不敢靠近。
"Why are you doing this?"
小丑哈维终于说话了，声音如同耳语：“我不是麦克·沃顿。”
“我知道。”说着，我向前猛一扑，撞到小丑的腰上。我们一起掉下了高台。我从高空坠落，过程久得像永恒。最后，我们终于落到了安全网上。
小丑哈维是麦克·沃顿的姐姐伊莎贝拉，几年前从家逃走。“她离家出走后加入了马戏团。”后来我告诉蓝思警长，“从她房间里那么多小丑图片来看，她着了迷。”
“我还以为那是麦克的房间。”
“麦克打扮成小丑只是为了暂时接近一下他姐姐。凶案现场的墙壁是粉色——从这里我们就看得出这是个女孩子的房间。波普·沃顿估计没动她的旧房间，一方面可能是太伤心了，没法动手，另一方面可能是希望她还会回来。她确实回来了。比格尔告诉我，是马戏团某个人建议来北山镇演出。我毫不怀疑这个人就是伊莎贝拉。而且，她打扮成小丑哈维时从不说话，正是因为她不想被别人发现哈维是个女人。”
“也许麦克在他姐姐房间杀人。”警长说。
我摇摇头：“波普·沃顿告诉我，有时候他把麦克·沃顿关在房间时，他会跳窗逃走。所以，麦克的房间肯定在一楼。”
“她为什么要刺死卢西奥？”
“阿图罗说过，卢西奥在马戏团有个女友。这个女友肯定就是伊莎贝拉。她带他回到老宅，去看她贴满小丑图片的旧房间。也许她受到什么刺激，突然失控——可能正是她最初离家出走的原因。当然也可能仅仅出于嫉妒而已。阿图罗说卢西奥有时候会在演出的镇上，跟当地姑娘勾勾搭搭。”
蓝思警长悲伤地摇了摇头：“波普肯定受不了这打击。”
“警长说得没错。”山姆医生总结道，“警方决定起诉，但那之前伊莎贝拉就疯了，波普也送了命。麦克倒是一直在，但帮不上忙。那以后他也逃离了本镇，再没消息了。我不知道蓝皮兹剩下的四兄弟怎么样了。不过，我想乔治·比格尔不敢再玩宣传把戏。而我呢，我也不敢再从高空跳进杂技安全网。如果你很快再次光临，我会跟你讲一个商业大亨到北山镇附近种植烟草，希望让大家发财的故事。结果，不光他的发财梦落了空，还有别的东西也随之毁灭。这个，我要等下次再告诉你。”
Notes:
Notes: