The Case of the Racehorse Ringer by Anthony Read Page A

couldn’t ride Star.”
    “No, but I could. I can ride anythin’.”
    Maisie looked doubtful.
    “Don’t worry. He’ll be safe with me.”
    “Safer than if he stayed here,” added Wiggins.
    Maisie thought about it and decided Wiggins was right.
    “OK. You’ll need two saddles. Come on. Quiet as mice, now!”
    They crept round to the tack room, taking care not to make a sound. Across the yard, Sam was waiting impatiently by the gate. Satan sat near by, never taking his eyes off him. When Sam saw Maisie leading the three Boys out of the stable, he quite forgot about the dog and started towards them. Quick as a flash, Satan was on his feet. His deep growl turned into a snarl as he leapt towards Sam and buried his teeth in Sam’s backside. Sam clapped his hand over his mouth to stifle a yelp, then jumped back through the gate to get it between himself and Satan.
    “Who’s that?” Maisie said, spinning around.
    “It’s all right,” Wiggins said. “That’s Sam. He’s with us.”
    “Another detective?” she asked.
    “No, he ain’t,” Gertie told her. “He’s a bookie. But he’s helpin’ us.”
    “I hope he’s OK. Looked like Satan bit him on the bum.”
    “Yeah.” Sparrow grinned. “You said that dog was a good judge of character.”
    Maisie soon had a saddle on Silver Star and they led him out of his box and across the yard, making as little noise as they could. Satan’s teeth had not gone through the thick cloth of Sam’s trousers, so he was just bruised. The five of them made their way over to the paddock, where Patch was grazing alone. When she heard Gertie’s voice, the skewbald pony whinnied with delight and cantered across to nuzzle and butt her in greeting. She seemed pleased to see Sparrow, too, and stood happily while he helped Maisie saddle her and climbed onto her back.
    “You’d better get going,” Maisie said. “Good luck!”
    “What’re you gonna do?” Wiggins asked her.
    “I don’t know yet. We don’t want anybody coming after you, so I shan’t say anything till I know Star’s safe. Then – well, we’ll have to see. At any rate, I’ll be going to Ally Pally for the Prince’s Cup tomorrow.”
    “Don’t worry about Star. We’ll take good care of him,” Gertie promised as she mounted the racehorse. “Nobody’s gonna hurt him while the Baker Street Boys are on the case.”

A N IGHT R IDE
    There was no sign of life as the little procession made its way along the dark lane from the racing stables. Sparrow was dozing in the comfortable saddle on Patch’s back, just managing to stay awake. Gertie was thrilled by the power of Silver Star. She could feel his muscles rippling as he moved. Secretly she wished that the journey would never end so that she could go on riding this wonderful creature for ever.
    Wiggins, however, knowing how far they had to walk, couldn’t wait for the journey to end. He was leading Patch by the reins while Slippery Sam trudged alongside him in silence. But as they passed the pub in the village near the stables, Sam suddenly turned off.
    “Oi,” Wiggins called. “Where you going?”
    “I left my bike here,” Sam explained. “I’m going to collect it.”
    He hurried round the back of the pub and came back a minute later wheeling a bicycle.
    “You never said nothing about having a bike,” Wiggins accused him.
    “Didn’t I? Oh well, I got it now, so I don’t have to walk back to London after all. I might see you there. Cheerio.”
    With that, Sam swung his leg over the crossbar and set off down the road, pedalling furiously as he disappeared into the distance.
    “I’ll get after him,” said Gertie. “Star’ll catch him up in no time.”
    Wiggins stopped her. “No,” he said. “Let him go.”
    “But I need him to give my da his alibi!”
    “Don’t worry. I’m sure the coppers know him very well. They’ll soon find him.”
    The streets of north London were deserted as the three Boys passed through. They had been travelling