In Bologna, one whole side of the big tent collapsed. The mast-like pole on that side remained sound and they had rope to replace the main rope that broke. They picked up plenty of new rope in Ferrara after the tightrope incident, but they had to cancel the performance that evening.

“Another cut rope,” Oberon confirmed.

“Anyone seen walking around with a knife in their hand?” Giovanni asked.

“Vader,” Sibelius suggested.

“He’s the knife thrower,” Leonora said with a roll of her eyes. “He always has knives on him.”

“I got my sheers for cutting the cloth,” Needles admitted.

“Gabriella uses plenty of knives around the cooking fires,” Baklovani said.

Giovanni held up his hands until they quieted. “And Rugello carries the sword that he swallows. All that is understood. What I mean is, has anyone been seen carrying knives or sharp instruments that doesn’t normally use them?”

Everyone quieted. They had to think. After a moment, several heads began to shake before Baklovani had a thought. “Well…” Baklovani hesitated and looked at Constantine.

Constantine nodded before he talked. “Baklovani and I were talking with Rostanzio the magician about the need to help out when we put up and take down the tents.”

“You know, he always says he has to protect his digits,” Baklovani interrupted.

Constantine nodded. “He says if he hurts his fingers he won’t be able to properly do his sleight of hand tricks.”

“Not that his tricks are that good or all that hard to figure out.” Baklovani chuckled.

“Get on with it,” Leonora and Giovanni said more or less at the same time.

“Well…” Baklovani hedged again, but Constantine got the message.

“We were out behind the tent of wonders and we saw Umberto walking with Rugello’s sword.”

“You know, the one he won’t let anyone touch,” Baklovani had to add his interruption.

“Rostanzio said as much. We all teased Umberto that he was going to be in big trouble but he said Rugello asked him to fetch it and stomped off. That dd not sound right then. It sounds less right now that I have said it out loud.”

“Come on,” Giovanni said, and the whole group went to find Rostanzio before it got dark. He confirmed the story and followed them to find Rugello. “So, you asked Umberto to fetch your sword?” he asked Rugello but interrupted himself. “When was that?” He asked Constantine.

“About two-thirty. We just finished the show of wonders.”

“And the tent collapsed around three just as the show in the circus tent began,” Leonora said.

“What is this all about?” Rugello asked.

“Never mind. Did you ask Umberto to fetch your sword around two thirty?”

“No,” Rugello answered honestly. “No one should be touching my sword.” He huffed so everyone understood, not to say they did not already understand. He huffed again to underline his sentiment, then he joined the crowd, and Piccolo who was there came too. He asked Constantine what was going on and Constantine carefully explained what he understood as they fetched Madam Figiori from her tent on the midway.

Madam Figiori said, “Umberto is by the food at a table waiting for supper to be called.” She said that before anyone asked her anything. The whole group trooped down to the food area and cornered Umberto. Umberto took one look at the crowd and began to cry.

“It was Corriden,” he said. “After the poison of Berlio failed, he offered me so much money to disrupt the circus. He never expected you to continue and be successful. He wants you to fail and plans to add some of the acts to his own circus lineup. he promised me a good place and more money.” He paused to wipe his tears and his runny nose. “I don’t know what I was thinking. When I almost killed my friend Constantine, I sent word to Corriden that I was not going to help him anymore. But he sent Damien all the way to Bologna to threaten me. He said he would expose me and I would no longer have a place in any circus. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Is Damien still around here?” Baklovani asked. He worried, thinking since Umberto got exposed, Damien himself might sneak onto the circus grounds and sabotage something, but Umberto shook his head.

“I am sure he is not. He came up with the idea to collapse the big tent but I am sure he meant during a performance and I am sure he hoped the mast would break. I cut the line that would bring down part of the tent without putting a strain on the mast. I am sorry. I am so sorry.”

“Me too,” Giovanni said. “Get your things and leave. I hope Corriden has a place for you in his circus because you are no longer welcome here.” Giovanni asked Piccolo and Rugello to follow Umberto. “And make sure he does not hurt anyone else of break anything on his way out of town.”

Leonora looked at Giovanni and actually complained. “That was too easy. We did not have to threaten him or anything.”

“I know,” Giovanni agreed, and he smiled at Leonora’s use of the word “We”. “I expected a good mystery, a slate of suspects and following the clues.” Leonora nodded.

“And denial,” Oberon said. “And catching the saboteur with the knife in his hand. And a struggle for possession of the knife. And coming in at the last minute to save the day.”

“But that is not the way things usually go,” Rostanzio said, honestly enough.

“No, but neither is a confession without first going through some period of denial,” Giovanni said. “All it takes, though, is a witness of either the act or something out of place and that points the finger.”

“Yes, and…” Oberon started again but paused when Madam Figiori stood and headed toward the cooking fire. “Where are you going in the middle of my pontificating?”

“Supper is ready,” she answered. “I am hungry and tired in that order.”

Portence came out from behind the table where they sold honey buns and cakes to the visitors, and she rang the big bell for supper. Nicholi, Gregori, and Rosa came running, though Madam Figiori got first in line.

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MONDAY

The Don Giovanni Circus finds some success, but life becomes difficult between Giovanni and Leonora. Until Monday, Happy Reading

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