Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music by Darlene Foster Page B

become a rider. It is tough traininghere at the school, but I am determined to make it. Eighty percent of trainees drop out within the first few years. Once I am a rider, I will travel the world and do performances with my horse.” He grinned proudly.
    â€œBut what is this you are carrying?” He looked at the violin case Amanda clutched. “Are you perhaps a musician? Will you be playing at the Opera House?”
    Amanda blushed. “Oh, no. I am looking after it for a friend.”
    More people entered the stables. Leah stiffened. “I think I just saw Klaus Schmidt with a curly-haired boy.”

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    A re you sure?” Amanda scanned the group of onlookers. “I can’t see him.” She clasped the violin tighter to her chest.
    The girls thanked the young rider and pushed their way through the swelling crowd to join their parents. Amanda felt a tug at her elbow. She looked around, but saw nothing.
    â€œWe need to get to the Mozart statue soon and hand over this violin.” Amanda’s voice wobbled. “I’m nervous carrying it around.”
    Leah’s eyes darted around the crowd. “The sooner we get rid of that thing, the happier I’ll be.”
    â€œWhat have we here?” Klaus Schmidt blocked the way. “The clever girls from the boat.” His jolly laugh didn’t match his eyes. “Did you enjoy seeing the Lipizzaners? They are quite spectacular when they are performing. Did you know that—”
    Amanda cut him off. “Yes, a rider told us all about them.” She looked at her watch as she held onto the violin case with a firm grip. “I’m sorry, Mr. Schmidt,but we have to meet our parents, and we’re late.”
    The girls hustled out of the stables into the courtyard where their parents waited by a huge fountain.
    Amanda’s mom waved. “Oh, there you are. Michael said we are now free to wander around Vienna on our own if we want. We thought we would take the train back to the boat later. I really want to go to the
Burggarten
, the imperial garden between the palace and the Opera House. There is a statue of Mozart I want to take pictures of.”
    Amanda’s eyes lit up. “I saw it from the bus. I want to go there too.”
    â€œSorry, folks, but I feel the need for a coffee and a slice of that famous double chocolate
Sachertorte
everyone is raving about,” said Don Ross.
    â€œI could go for that too,” said Leah’s dad. “The Hotel Sacher is just down the street.”
    â€œI would like a refreshment as well,” replied Mrs. Anderson.
    â€œI’ve been eating far too much on this trip, I’d rather go for a walk,” said Mrs. Ross.
    â€œWe can walk over to the statue, Mom, take some pictures and meet the rest of you guys at the Opera House later.” Amanda glanced at Leah. “Are you coming?”
    â€œI guess so,” replied Leah. Under her breath she mumbled, “Like I have a choice.”
    Mrs. Ross stopped to take pictures as they walked through the immaculately landscaped gardens. Amanda, eager to get to the statue, fidgeted and kept looking around.
    â€œAmanda, could you please stand still. We have lots of time. Now go stand with Leah by those rose bushes so I can take your picture.”
    As Amanda smiled her best smile for her mom, she noticed a dark figure duck behind a large willow tree. Amanda’s heart quickened. ‘That must be the monk.’
    â€œCan we go to the Mozart statue now, Mom?”
    â€œIt should be just over there.” Her mom pointed past the willow tree and started to walk in that direction. Leah followed her. Amanda stopped to readjust the violin case under her arm.
    â€œI’ll take that off your hands,” said a man behind her.
    She didn’t have to turn around to know it was Klaus Schmidt. “It’s OK. I can manage.” Amanda walked away at a quick pace.
    â€œI insist.” The older man huffed as