byCarole Marsh

Copyright ©2008 Carole Marsh/Gallopade InternationalAll rights reserved.First Edition

Carole Marsh Mysteries™ and its skull colophon are the property of Carole Marsh andGallopade International.

Published by Gallopade International/Carole Marsh Books. Printed in the United Statesof America.

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30 Years Ago . . .As a mother and an author, one of the fondest periods of my

life was when I decided to write mystery books for children. At this time (1979) kids were pretty much glued to theTV, something parents and teachers complained about the sameway they do about web surfing and video games today.

I decided to set each mystery in a real place—a place kidscould go and visit for themselves after reading the book. And I also used real children as characters. Usually a couple of myown children served as characters, and I had no trouble recruiting kids from the book’s location to also be characters.

Also, I wanted all the kids—boys and girls of all ages—to participate in solving the mystery. And, I wanted kids to learnsomething as they read. Something about the history of the location. And, I wanted the stories to be funny. That formula ofreal+scary+smart+fun served me well.

I love getting letters from teachers and parents who say theyread the book with their class or child, then visited the historicsite and saw all the places in the mystery for themselves. What’sso great about that? What’s great is that you and your childrenhave an experience that bonds you together forever. Somethingyou shared. Something you both cared about at the time.Something that crossed all age levels—a good story, a good scare, a good laugh!

30 years later,

Carole Marsh

Hey, kids! As you see—here we are ready to embark onanother of our exciting Carole Marsh Mystery adventures! Youknow, in “real life,” I keep very close tabs on Christina, Grant,and their friends when we travel. However, in the mysterybooks, they always seem to slip away from Papa and me so theycan try to solve the mystery on their own!

I hope you will go to www.carolemarshmysteries.com andapply to be a character in a future mystery book! Well, theMystery Girl is all tuned up and ready for “take-off!”

Gotta go...Papa says so! Wonder what I've forgotten this time?

Happy “Armchair Travel” Reading,

Mimi

Christina Grant Liam MayaYother Yother Machado Scarbrough

About the

Characters

Christina Yother, 10, from Peachtree City, Georgia

Grant Yother, 7, from Peachtree City, Georgia,Christina’s brother

Liam Machado, 11, from Peachtree City, Georgia, as Chandu

Maya Scarbrough, 10, from Fayetteville, Georgia,as Asha

The many places featured in the book actually exist and areworth a visit! Perhaps you could read the book and follow thetrail these kids went on during their mysterious adventure!

Titles in the Carole

Marsh Mysteries

Series

#1 The Mystery of Biltmore House#2 The Mystery on the Freedom Trail#3 The Mystery of Blackbeard the Pirate#4 The Mystery of the Alamo Ghost#5 The Mystery on the California Mission Trail#6 The Mystery of the Missing Dinosaurs#7 The White House Christmas Mystery#8 The Mystery on Alaska’s Iditarod Trail#9 The Mystery at Kill Devil Hills#10 The Mystery in New York City#11 The Mystery at Disney World#12 The Mystery on the Underground Railroad#13 The Mystery in the Rocky Mountains#14 The Mystery on the Mighty Mississippi#15 The Mystery at the Kentucky Derby#16 The Ghost of the Grand Canyon#17 The Mystery at Jamestown#18 The Mystery in Chocolate Town#19 The “Gosh Awful!” Gold Rush Mystery#20 The Counterfeit Constitution Mystery#21 The Mystery of the Haunted Ghost Town#22 The Mystery in Las Vegas#23 The Mystery at the Graveyard of the Atlantic#24 The Ghost of the Golden Gate Bridge

Books and Teacher’s Guides are available at booksellers, libraries, school supply stores, museums,

and many other locations!

Contents

1 Tiger Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tracking the Tears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Kidnapped Kitties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Knee-Deep in a Mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 What’s that Noise?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 A Bumpy Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 A Royal Rescue!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418 Neon Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499 Clueless in the Clouds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5510 A Wall of Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6511 From the Meadows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7712 More Meat Eaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8913 Circus Clues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9314 Spikes and the Sphinx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9915 A Natural Clue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10716 Cool Canyon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11117 Signs of Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11718 Goin’ to the Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11919 Royal Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12520 What Happens in Vegas ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133Built-In Book Club: Talk About It! . . . . . . . . . . . . 134Built-In Book Club: Bring it to Life! . . . . . . . . . . 136Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138Las Vegas Trivia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Scavenger Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142Pop Quiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

1Tiger

Tricks

1

As an eerie green glow began to illuminate thestage, Christina watched a ghostly white fog rolltoward her. The soft music was growing louder.Christina could not only hear it, she could feel itrumbling in her chest.

Suddenly, ice-blue eyes pierced the mist likeblazing sapphires, burning a path for two slinkingtigers. Completely white except for their blackstripes, they looked more phantom than feline. Christina’s younger brother, Grant, yelped. “Youpinched my arm!”

“Sorry,” Christina mumbled, “I thought it was the chair’s arm!” She brushed her longbrown hair over her shoulders and settled backinto her seat.

Christina knew this was only a rehearsal forthe Mysteries Hotel Magic Show, but she couldn’thelp gripping the arms of her front-row seat in thedarkness. This was her first trip to Las Vegas andit was exciting!

The owner of the hotel, Mr. Jenkins, was afriend of Christina and Grant’s grandfather, Papa.Mr. Jenkins invited them to see the magic showrehearsal the minute they arrived at the hotel.They hadn’t even been to their rooms yet!

Christina jumped as a booming voiceannounced, “Rescued from the jungles of India,they’ve come to share their magic with you!Ladies and gentlemen, meet the world’s mostregal and rare twins—Soman and Shiba!”

“Those are the most beautiful creatures I’veever seen,” Christina said.

Grant’s jaw dropped open as he watched thestage through binoculars. “W-w-wow,” he stuttered.

“My turn,” declared Mimi, the children’sgrandmother, peeking through Grant’s

2 The Mystery in Las Vegas

binoculars. “Oh, my,” she added, “they are just magnificent!”

“Look!” Grant whispered to Christina, as a girland boy entered from each side of the stage tomeet the tigers. “They’re just kids!”

Spotlights focused on two large, mirrored,rotating globes that shot spears of pink light into the dark auditorium. The boy and girlcommanded Soman and Shiba to jump onto the globes.

“And now,” the announcer continued, “the onlyone these royal tigers bow to—the Maharaja ofMagic, Manendra!”

Out walked a man in a sparkling blue costumeand jeweled turban. Soman and Shiba changedfrom calm tigers to hissing, swatting beasts as heapproached.

Manendra thrust his hands into the air and thefog crept back across the stage. Christina noticedtwo silver rings floating from the ceiling towardeach of the tigers.

“I don’t see any wires!” Grant exclaimed. “Doyou see wires, Christina?”

As the rings neared the tigers, the music grewlouder and a puff of silver smoke shot out of the

Tiger Tricks 3

globes where the tigers sat. The music stoppedsuddenly and the rings hit the floor with a thud.The tigers were gone!

“How’d they do that?” Grant said, clapping. “Magic,” Mimi answered.When the music started again, Christina saw

something else descending from the ceiling. Itwas the tigers! They had reappeared and werebeing lowered to the stage on small circularplatforms.

“Come and bow!” the magician commanded.The tigers left their platforms obediently andbowed to Manendra. He patted each on the headand motioned for them to leave the stage.

Christina noticed the tigers were once againvery calm. She expected the boy and girl to escortthe tigers away, but two men who were not incostumes led them offstage.

“Give me those binoculars!” Christina ordered,before Grant had time to take them off his neck.

“You’re choking me!” Grant exclaimed. “Oh! Sorry, Grant,” Christina said. It was hard to tell with the stage lighting, but

as Christina took a closer look at the tigers, theylooked different. She had the feeling somethingwasn’t right!

4 The Mystery in Las Vegas

“So, what did you think, kids?” Mr. Jenkinsasked, as soon as the house lights came on.

“It was awesome!” was Grant’s quick reply. Despite her strange feeling that something

was wrong, Christina agreed. “Mr. Jenkins,everyone will want to see Soman and Shiba!”

“I know you folks are tired and ready to get tobed,” Mr. Jenkins observed. “Your luggage androom keys are at the check-in desk. I’ll see you atbreakfast tomorrow morning.”

Walking from the hotel theater to the desk wasa new experience for Grant and Christina.Following a red, tiled path, they moved into a hugeroom as dark and cool as a cave. On each side,coins clattered, bells clanged and lights flashed.The constant hum of people talking wasoccasionally interrupted by joyous screams.

2Tracking

the

Tears

5

6 The Mystery in Las Vegas

“What is this place?” Grant asked, his blueeyes opened wide. “I’ve never seen so much bling-bling! And it’s so loud in here!”

“This is the hotel casino,” Mimi said. “Almostevery hotel in Las Vegas has one.” She slung herbeaded red shawl over her shoulders. “I’m tootired to explain tonight. I’ll tell you all about itlater, OK?”

“Yep, little doggies,” said Papa, looking tall andrugged in his black cowboy hat and chocolate-brownleather boots. “It’s time to hit the sack!”

Christina knew how Mimi felt. She had felt likeshe was coming down with a cold since they lefttheir home in Georgia. But Christina didn’t wantanyone to know she didn’t feel well. She andGrant had worked too hard to be included on this trip.

Christina and Grant often traveled with Mimiand Papa. Mimi wrote mysteries for children, andoften traveled to do research for her books. Butthis trip to visit Papa’s old friend, Mr. Jenkins, andone of the country’s largest air shows, AviationNation, at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas,was a different story. Mimi had to be convinced itwas a good idea!

Tracking the Tears 7

Christina remembered the conversation almostword for word.

“Las Vegas is not a place for kids,” Mimi had said.

“But, Mimi,” Christina had replied, “it’s not anadults-only town like it was when you were a kid.Now, there are roller coasters, chocolate factories,magic shows and lots of other things kids love. It’seducational, too. We can even visit King Tut’stomb!”

Grant had also done his homework. “Did youknow there are hotels in Las Vegas that look likeNew York, Paris and lots of other places?” he hadpiped in. “It’s like every place in one place!”

Impressed by all the things the kids hadlearned, Mimi finally declared defeat. “You win!”she had told them. “Besides, a hotel called‘Mysteries’ is the perfect place for a family ofmystery solvers to visit,” she added, referring tothe kids’ uncanny ability to get mixed up in amystery wherever they traveled!

8 The Mystery in Las Vegas

Grant and Christina dragged their luggage intothe suite they were sharing with Mimi and Papa.Grant immediately started making footprints inthe freshly vacuumed carpet.

“Do you think Clue could follow this trail?”he asked, thinking of their dog they had left athome.

Christina shuffled into the bathroom to brushher teeth. When she stopped to rinse, she hearda strange noise on the other side of the wall. Theway it was echoing, she guessed it was comingfrom the stairwell next to their room.

“Did you hear that, Grant?” she asked herbrother, who was now drawing tic-tac-toe shapesin the carpet.

“Hear what?” he asked, annoyed with theinterruption.

“Come in here!” Christina said. “It sounds like someone is crying,” Grant

observed. “I wonder what’s wrong. Do you thinksomeone fell down the stairs?”

“I didn’t think of that!” Christina said. “We’dbetter go and see if they’re OK.” Christinagrabbed their room card-key and they rushed tothe stairwell.

Sad time in the stairwell!

Tracking the Tears 11

A girl about Christina’s age sat near the top ofthe stairs. Long ebony hair fell around her facelike a black waterfall, almost touching the stairs asshe rested her head on her knees. She wore asparkling, ice-blue outfit.

“Are you all right?” Christina asked. “Did you fall down the stairs?” Grant added.“No, I didn’t fall,” the girl answered, lifting her

head. Mournful brown eyes peered up at them.Her thick accent was a clue that she was probablynot from Las Vegas.

“Did my crying wake you?” she asked. “We weren’t in bed yet,” Christina answered.

“We just got here.”“Why are you crying?” Grant asked, tired of

chit-chat and wanting to get to the point.“You’re lucky,” she said. “You just got here.

I have to leave in a few short days. That’s why I’m crying.”

“Has your family been on vacation?” Christina asked.

“No,” the sad girl answered. “My father worksfor a tiger rescue organization in India. Webrought two rare, white tigers from India to star inthis hotel’s magic show. My father brought my

brother and me along because we helped raisethe tigers from cubs. They feel safe and calmwith us around. That’s why I am so sad to leavethem here all alone in this strange country.”

“You’re the girl from the magic show!”Christina observed. “The tigers are amazing!”

“Why can’t you just stay here?” Grant asked. “My father has to get back to India, where he

has other tigers to care for,” the girl replied. “Mymother is taking care of everything while myfather’s away. I am sad to leave the tigers, but Iam ready to see my mother again.”

The girl wiped the tears from her flushedcheeks. “There is a woman who will take my placewhen I go back to India,” she added, “but Fathersaid the tigers would be more comfortable with meat first. I have to wear this sparkly costume so theycan get used to all the glitter.”

12 The Mystery in Las Vegas

The kids heard a door slam on the floor belowand boots thumping up the stairs. Christina knewstairwells were not safe places late at night.Before she could herd Grant back to the room, aman appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

“Hello, Asha,” he said. He too was dressed ina sparkling blue outfit. Christina recognized himas the magician from the show.

“I just tucked in your tigers,” he said with asmile. “I think they’re starting to like me.”Christina noticed that Asha looked uncomfortableand did not return his smile.

Before she knew it, Christina sneezed. As theman walked by, he reached in his pocket andhanded her a tissue. “It’s clean,” he promised.

Asha stood up to leave. “Would you like tomeet the tigers and my brother?” she asked.

“Are you kidding?” Christina replied, despiteher stuffy nose. “You bet I would!”

Grant was just as excited. “Sure!” he said.

“ “

Tracking the Tears 13

3Kidnapped

Kitties

15

Christina and Grant followed Asha down anarrow alley. When they came to a locked gate,she pulled a key from around her neck andunlocked it.

“Whose house is that?” Grant asked, staring atwhat looked like a white palace.

“That’s where Soman and Shiba live,” Ashasaid. “Chandu, come and meet my new friends!”

There was no answer.“Soman, Shiba, come!” Asha called out.

Again, there was no response. “That is strange,” Asha said. “Soman and

Shiba always come when I call.” Movement in the shadows caught Grant’s eye.

“Is that them over there?” he asked.Asha walked to the other side of the enclosure

and squinted through the chain-link fence. Two

white tigers looked at her curiously, then hissedand growled.

“Look at his paw!” Asha exclaimed, pointing atthe largest tiger’s back foot. “I see orange! Thisis not Soman and Shiba! Someone has paintedthese imposters white!”

A muffled tapping sound drew Christina’sattention. “Did you hear that?” she asked.

“I think it’s coming from that direction,” Grantsaid, running around the corner of a small storagebuilding.

“I’ll bet this is locked,” Christina said, twistingthe nearest door handle.

“This is Las Vegas,” Grant replied. “Let’s takea chance!”

To their surprise, the door opened! In thedarkness, they could smell musty mops andcleaning supplies. They could also hear thenoises they heard before, only louder.

16 The Mystery in Las Vegas

“I can’t see a thing!” Christina said. “Grant,open the door wider and let some light shine in.”

With the light, Christina could see a shinysilver object on the other wall. It was anotherdoorknob.

Startled by a loud noise, Christina and Ashaturned to see Grant straddling a mop. “Grantto the rescue!” he cried, charging forward. Hemisjudged the distance and slammed into thedoor.

“Oh, Grant!” Christina said. “Let’s hope ourluck is still good,” she added, as she twisted theknob. “Nope, out of luck.” The door refused toopen, but Christina’s effort had caused the noisesinside to grow louder.

“Can I help you?” a voice said from the opendoorway. Grant, Christina and Asha jumped, butwere relieved when they turned to see Mr. Jenkins.

Kidnapped Kitties 17

“What are you kids doing here at this time ofnight?” Mr. Jenkins asked.

“Our tigers have been stolen!” Asha exclaimed. “What?” Mr. Jenkins said in disbelief. “Someone has taken Soman and Shiba!” Asha

explained. “We had just discovered the impostersleft in their place when we heard noises in here.”

“Yes, I hear it too,” Mr. Jenkins remarked.“I’ve got a key. Let’s see what’s going on in there.”

When Mr. Jenkins opened the door, Christinasaw a familiar sparkle in the faint light. As soon asMr. Jenkins flipped the light switch, she knewwhat it was—the same sparkling blue cloth thatmade up Asha’s costume was peeking betweenstacked cardboard barrels!

“Chandu, is that you?” Asha asked. “Yes!” Chandu said, running around the

barrels. “I was afraid you might be those men!”Christina could see that Chandu looked a lot

like his sister. She could also see the fear in hisdark eyes.

Suddenly, they heard another muffled voice.“Don’t forget me!”

“Our father is locked in that closet,” Chandusaid. As soon as Mr. Jenkins opened the door,

18 The Mystery in Las Vegas

the children gripped their father, Mr. Patel, in abear hug.

“Who did this?” Christina asked.“We were set for the end of the magic show,”

Chandu explained, “when a man told us we wereneeded here right away. When we got here, twomen pushed us inside and locked the door.”

“Did you see what they looked like?” Mr.Jenkins asked.

“We didn’t see their faces,” Mr. Patelanswered. “It was too dark. But I think one ofthem was in a suit. I caught a glimpse of sequinson the other one’s clothes and he had a very deep voice.”

“That could describe almost anyone in LasVegas,” Mr. Jenkins remarked, whipping out hiscell phone. “I’m calling the police.”

Kidnapped Kitties 19