Read The Mystery at the Fair for Free Online Page B

began to applaud. The judge threw open the tent flaps to let everyone in.
    As the crowd filled the stands, the children gathered around the display table. Someone had poked holes in the boys’ blueberry pie.
    â€œLook at our pie,” Benny said sadly. “Why would anyone do something so mean?”
    â€œWe’ll probably never win now,” Michael said.
    â€œDon’t worry, boys,” Courtney said. “You heard the judge, looks don’t matter anymore. Let’s go find a seat so the judges can start the contest.”
    The children found seats in the bleachers. Henry leaned over to talk to Jessie.
    â€œI think I know who might have done this,” Henry whispered to Jessie.
    â€œWho?” Jessie whispered back.
    â€œLook over there by the entrance to the tent,” Henry said. “It’s that man in the baseball cap again.”
    Jessie nudged Violet when she spotted the man in the baseball cap. He was looking in their direction.
    â€œI see him now,” Violet said.
    â€œWhat are you looking at?” Courtney asked.
    â€œThe man who was asking us so many questions the other day is standing near the front of the tent,” Jessie explained.
    â€œHe always seems to show up when trouble’s around,” Violet said.
    â€œLet’s talk about this later. The contest is about to begin,” Henry said.
    Each judge picked up a plate and a fork. They gathered around pie number one, cutting it into small slices, and each one took a bite. Then they whispered among themselves and wrote something down on a clipboard.
    â€œI don’t think they liked it that much,” Michael whispered.
    â€œHow can you tell?” Benny asked.
    â€œThey didn’t lick their forks,” Michael said.
    Then the judges sampled Mrs. Stephens’s lemon cake. It had not been damaged. The cake was beautifully frosted and it looked especially nice compared to the other entries. The judges cut slices of the cake, tasted it, and discussed it in whispers. One judge began to smile.
    â€œThey seem to really like Mrs. Stephens’s cake,” Violet said.
    â€œWait a minute,” Jessie said. “Now they’re cutting the blueberry pie.”
    The judges lingered near the pie, whispering among themselves. Then they tasted the pie again!
    â€œThey like it!” Benny said.
    The judges made notes on their clipboard. Then they moved down to Susie’s cherry pie. It was the only other entry that hadn’t been damaged. The judges tasted the pie and made a few notes. Then they huddled together for a few moments, talking and waving their hands.
    After a while, one of the judges stepped up to the microphone and read from his clipboard.
    â€œThe winner of the Greenfield County Fair Baked Goods Competition is entry number six! Henry and Benny Alden and Michael Jenkins. They will share the $25 First Prize! Will the winners please come over to the awards stand!”
    â€œHooray!” Jessie shouted as the boys walked up to the front of the tent.
    Courtney and Violet hugged each other and clapped their hands. The crowd broke out in a round of applause.
    He gave a beautiful trophy to Michael and a blue ribbon to Benny. Then the judge presented the envelope to Henry.
    â€œHere’s the prize money,” the judge said. “Congratulations.”
    â€œThank you all very much,” Henry said.
    â€œThank you,” Michael said as he admired the trophy.
    â€œThank you,” Benny said. “This was fun.”
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” the judge announced. “The judging of the crafts will begin at 1:30. Please join us there.”
    The crowd began to slowly file out of the tent. One of the judges also started to leave. When Mrs. Stephens saw him, she pushed her way through the crowd.

    â€œMr. Judge,” shouted Mrs. Stephens. “I’d like to have a word with you. This contest was not held in accordance with the rules. My cake should have