The Fiddler's Secret Read Online Free

at once. From one happy song to the next he went, his music driving back the fog and darkness.
    Looking around, Libby knew the night had changed. Already the deckers had left their terror behind. Though the fog still closed them in, the deck rocked with music and laughter.
    Only once did Libby see the fiddler’s gray-blue eyes.
He knows
, she thought.
He knows the music sends away their fear
.
    Yet strangely, Libby felt uneasy about the man.
His face holds a secret. Who is he? Why is he here?
    Puzzled by her uneasiness, Libby kept watching the fiddler.
Why do I think he has a secret?
    Then she noticed something else. Though his tattered clothes made him seem poor, he hadn’t put out a hat to collect money.
    For some time Pa waited, as though not wanting to rob the deckers of their fun. When the fiddler stopped playing, the crowd cheered and clapped. Only then did Pa step forward.
    â€œPlease,” Pa invited. “Will you play for my first-class passengers?”
    When the man looked as if he didn’t understand, Pa pointed to the fiddler and his fiddle. Then Pa pointed up the wide stairs to the large main cabin that served as the dining room.
    The fiddler shook his head.
“Nein!”
It sounded as if he were saying
nine
, but Libby knew it was the German word for
no
.
    â€œI would be greatly pleased if you would do this for me,” Pa answered. “My passengers love fine music and would be honored to have you play.”
    The fiddler shook his head. “It is not
gut
!”
    Hearing the word
good
, Libby listened to the man’s accent. Though he used German words, Libby wondered if he came from Germany. For some reason the fiddler didn’t sound quite like her German friend, Elsa.
    â€œCome.” Pa drew the fiddler away from the passengers who were listening. “I’m not asking you to play for nothing. I’ll pay you for your concert.”
    For an instant the fiddler wavered, as though trying to make up his mind. Again Libby felt uneasy.
There’s fear in his eyes, I wonder why
.

CHAPTER 3
Big Bullies

    T he fiddler motioned to his tattered shirt. “My clothes?”
    â€œIf they bother you, you can wear some of mine,” Pa answered. “We’re about the same size.”
    â€œNein!” the fiddler exclaimed, even more strongly than at first.
    Backing off, Pa smiled. “Wear whatever you like. You look fine the way you are.”
    Strange!
Libby thought.
I’ve never seen Pa do that
. His first-class passengers were well clothed, well traveled, and well educated. The people Pa hired to entertain them were always dressed well unless playing a part. But Libby knew her father. He would not want to embarrass the fiddler.
    â€œYou will be my special guest,” Pa said.
    This time the fiddler nodded. “I will come.”
    â€œTonight? After our evening meal?”
    The fiddler smiled. “I will play a concert your passengers will remember forever.”
    Pa turned to where Caleb and Jordan still sat on the steps. “Spread the word. Tell the first-class passengers we’ll have the best concert they’ve ever heard.”
    The fog had changed to a milky white when Libby sat down to breakfast in the large main cabin that was the dining room. As though Caleb’s grandmother also wanted to help people forget the accident, she had outdone herself on the food. When Libby caught a glimpse of Gran in the doorway, her cheeks were flushed with the heat of the oven. But Gran’s cinnamon rolls and one-of-a-kind breakfast had never been better.
    After breakfast Libby found Caleb and Jordan on the main deck. Sitting down on a crate next to them, she said, “I wonder why the fiddler is going to Minnesota Territory.”
    Jordan grinned. “Probably for the same reason I’m going. To see what’s there.”
    Libby felt curious. Both she and Caleb had expected Jordan to stay in Galena, Illinois. After years of separation