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to rule them all…’ That was the queen’s ring. India was the queen but she didn’t curtsy. Her cast got in the way.
    â€˜One ring and in the darkness bind them…’
    Art turned off the lights. They used torches to make rings from circles of light. Art flicked the switch again. Then Tiny’s dog leash wound around them.
    The Ringkeeper was the circus master…controlling all the animals. At last it was over.! The team moved everything off the stage very fast.
    â€˜Nine minutes, fifty-five seconds!’ Art checked the stopwatch.
    â€˜Team! We did it!’
    They were within the time limit!
    The audience clapped loudly. As he looked up at the audience, Art saw Grey Coat slip out through the exit door. What was he doing in the theatre again? Did he meet the bikie girl?

    â€˜Now for the spontaneous problem,’ said Mrs. Tasker. ‘Have fun. Unfortunately, when you come out, you can’t tell me what you’ve done.’
    â€˜Do we get the same problem as Mario’s team?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜What if someone from that team cheats by telling us?’
    â€˜That would be foolish. For them and for you.’
    â€˜Have we practised enough?’ India was getting nervous again.
    How can you practise for something unknown?’
    â€˜Feels like the time Tiny had a nervous breakdown instead of dinner,’ joked India nervously.
    So Mrs. Tasker made them lie down on the grass and do deep breathing exercises. They didn’t want to.
    â€˜Other kids will look.’
    â€˜It’s not cool.’
    Mrs. Tasker led them behind the tall trees. The grass was green and soft there. She lay down too.
    â€˜Just try it once. Breathe slowly. Deeply. Think of something you like.’
    When Art lay down, it felt a bit like his asthma exercises. Rae giggled and fooled around at first. Then she joined in.
    â€œIn…out. Slowly.’ Art thought about mysteries, million dollar sovereigns and a computer virus. He knew these were not what Mrs. T. meant, but he was a sleuth with two mysteries to solve. After a few minutes, Mrs. T looked at her watch. ‘I think they might be ready for you now. Mario’s team will be coming out in a minute.’
    â€˜Let’s go,’ India hopped up. ‘Thanks Mrs. T.’
    â€˜Don’t forget. Work as a team. It’s not a race. Have fun.’
    Sometimes, like now, Art really liked Mrs. Tasker. He realised she had been trying to stop them getting too nervous. Another good thing was that he’d had an idea. A new way of solving the mystery had slipped intone of his mindspaces. There was something he must ask the professor, very soon.

    Behind the limping India, they filed into the room. In front of them was an old working boot. It had paint splashes and some red, rusty stains.
    â€˜Who might have owned this boot?’ started the Judge. All Art could think about was Grey Coat, boots and crutches.

Chapter 9
Crutches
    â€˜You’ve got more than an hour before the announcement of the winners is made at six o’clock,’ said Mrs. T. ‘Have a wander around or watch the other performers. There’s an interesting maths problem in the tent.’
    Art was determined to solve the mystery of the missing coin. But he needed the help of India and her crutches.
    Sleuth Art was on the job. ‘Listen’
    â€˜Something’s rattling,’ India shook her left crutch.
    Art listened. Yes, there was a rattle. There was something inside. He was right. That’s why the bikie girl had been staring!
    â€˜Let me have a look.’
    Art turned he crutch upside down. There was a rubber stopper at the bottom. He pulled it off. Inside the crutch was hollow. Art shook it. Something tinkled down the inside. It fell onto the ground.
    â€˜A coin!’
    â€˜The missing sovereign! A million dollars worth!’
    â€˜How did the coin get there? I didn’t put it in!’ India was upset. That was