Big-Top Scooby by Kate Howard

swayed, about to fall over.
    Everyone looked to see what had happened … and there was Archambault, standing in the shadows at the side of the circus. He was holding up a tranquilizer gun. Loose ropes hung from his arms.
    â€œWhat did you do?” Fred asked.
    â€œIs okay,” Archambault said, stepping out of the shadows. He caught Doubleday as he fell to the ground and lowered the animal trainer slowly to the ground. “Just tranquilizer gun. Doubleday keep around in case of problem with animals.”
    â€œWhat are those ropes?” Velma asked, pointing at the ropes that hung off Archambault’s arms. They looked like they’d been cut.
    â€œArchambault tied up. But Archambault break ropes! Such thick ropes. It take hours.”
    Daphne stared at him. “Where were you?”
    Archambault pointed to the exit. “In storage shed, back there. Come with me.” He led the gang to a storage shed on the outer edge of the circus.
    The gang peered inside and saw Marius, bound and gagged in a corner.
    â€œAre you okay?” Fred asked, untying him.
    â€œWho did this?” Marius demanded. “Did you catch him? What’s going on?”
    â€œIt was Doubleday,” Fred said. He turned to help Velma and Daphne free Shmatko and Lena, who were tied up nearby.
    â€œWe’ve already called the police,” Velma said. She barely got Lena’s ropes untied before they heard a loud squeal.
    Oliverio ran over to embrace Lena. “Carino!”
    â€œLiebling!” Lena cried.
    Shmatko pulled the rest of his ropes away and stormed off. The gang followed Marius and Archambault back into the big top, just in time to see Doubleday getting carted away on an ambulance gurney.
    Wulfric wandered up to see what was goingon. “Where did my amulet go?”
    â€œI’ve got men searching for it, and all the other stolen jewels,” said a police detective, joining the group. “But if we don’t find them, we can get the information from Doubleday when he comes to. This is strong stuff, though. He could be out for hours … days even.”
    â€œMy circus is supposed to be in Philadelphia tomorrow,” Marius said. “Will that be a problem?”
    â€œNo,” the detective said. “If we need you, we’ll contact you.”
    Wulfric turned his attention to Scooby as the detective finished up his business with Marius. “You were the best thing in the show, my friend. And that dog costume is brilliant.”
    Scooby shook his head. “Rog rostume?”

    The next morning, the gang joined Marius and the rest of the circus performers as they boarded the train for Philadelphia.
    â€œThanks again for all your help,” Marius said. “Are you sure I can’t give you anything?”
    â€œNo thanks,” Fred said, waving him off. “We’re just glad we could help.”
    Marius held up a lockbox. “We did some major box office while you were helping out … this thing is crammed with cash. So anytime you want to see the circus, it’s on the house. And all the churros you can eat!”
    â€œYes!” Shaggy cheered.
    Scooby just frowned. He was still upset with Shaggy for taking all the credit for his act.
    â€œAnd maybe I could do the high-wire next time, huh?” Fred grinned.
    Marius looked uncomfortable. “Uh, let’s think about … whether that’s … the best … uh … well, good-bye!” He hustled onto the train.
    Archambault stopped to bid the gang good-bye. “Archambault say good-bye, also!”
    Velma waved. “Good-bye, Archambault. Thanks for everything!”
    â€œOkay! I hope they find all those jewels,” he said. “Especially that black diamond. It seemedvery nice, oui ?”
    As Archambault stepped up onto the train, Sisko and Shmatko approached Daphne. “Hey, Motorcycle Girl!” Shmatko said in a friendly voice. “After this little break, I