Three-Ring Terror by Franklin W. Dixon Page A

the entire class. He was a terrific juggler, but he had a terrible attitude. He thought he was betterthan everyone, and he wouldn’t take direction. Costello wanted me to give him a break. He said Rosen had a lot of talent and just needed the proper guidance, but in the end he was forced to agree with my decision to dismiss him. Circus U. was not the place for someone like Ralph Rosen.”
    â€œThat guy we talked to—what was his name?” Frank asked his brother.
    â€œJim Jacobs,” Joe replied, “the head clown.”
    â€œRight,” Frank said. “Jim Jacobs admitted Rosen had a bad reputation, but he said he felt sorry for him. Rosen was juggling on the street for money, apparently.”
    Turner shrugged. “I’m not surprised. With his attitude, it’s unlikely any circus would hire him. Although you don’t need a degree from Circus U. to be qualified to work in circuses,” he added.
    â€œIs there any way we can find out more about Ralph Rosen?” Frank asked.
    â€œYou should ask Bo,” Turner replied. “He would have a record of his application. And Jacobs will know where he’s staying in Bayport. I’m still not sure why you want to find him, though. What was so important about that ball he dropped in your friend’s bag?”
    Joe pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and showed Turner the coded message. “This was inside the ball,” he explained, handing over the slip of paper.
    After Turner scanned the paper, he glanced upat Joe with a questioning look in his eyes. “Do you have any idea what this means?” he asked.
    Before Joe could answer, Frank spoke up. “Actually, we don’t.”
    From the dean’s expression, Joe could tell Turner had an idea. “Why, do you?” Joe asked.
    â€œThese letters popped out at me right away,” Turner explained. “Of course they mean more to me than to you, since I know these people.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Joe asked, frustrated at Turner for taking so long to get to the point. “What people?”
    Turner pointed to the paper. “CN, JL, and GU are all initials of people at the circus.”
    â€œThey are?” Joe grabbed the paper from Turner and looked at it again.
    â€œCarl Nash, Justine Leone—” Turner said.
    â€œAnd Georgianne Unger,” Frank finished. “Boy, are we dense.”
    â€œNot really. We only just met these people,” Joe reminded his brother. “But I have to admit, I do feel pretty stupid for not noticing the connection before.” He stared at the numbers that went along with the letters. “The question is, what do these numbers mean?”
    â€œAnd why are these initials on this list?” Frank added, looking over his brother’s shoulder.
    â€œWell, you boys are the detectives,” Turner said, shrugging.
    Joe pocketed the slip of paper and headed forthe door. “We’ll take it from here,” he told Turner. “If you think of anything else that might be helpful—”
    â€œI’ll let you know,” Turner said. He crossed the room and held the door open for them. “Good luck to you two, and thanks again for what you’re doing. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
    â€œNo problem,” Frank said.
    â€œWe’ll keep you posted,” Joe added, closing the door behind them. He followed Frank into the hallway.
    â€œSo now we know that Ralph Rosen once attended Circus U.,” Frank said.
    â€œAnd he was kicked out,” Joe added. “Think he has a grudge against Turner? Enough of a grudge to have caused the problems at Circus U. and the circus here?”
    â€œIt’s a possibility,” Frank admitted. “But how does that tie in to the coded message he passed to Chet?” He bit his lip in frustration. “We need to find out more about Ralph Rosen.”
    â€œLet’s ask Costello. Maybe he