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world that the seasoned showman has not visited at least once in his life。
It was all new to the Circus Boys； however； and in the long day trips
over mountain and plain； they found themselves fully occupied with the
new； entrancing scenes。
By this time both lads had bee really finished performers in their
various acts； and they had gone on through the greater part of the season
without serious accident in their work。 Of course they had had tumbles；
as all showmen do； but somehow they managed to e off with whole
skins。
For a time after the wreck of the acmodation car the show had no
further trouble that could be laid at the door of Red Larry or his partner。
However； after a few days； the reports of burglaries in towns where the
show exhibited became even more numerous。
〃We can't furnish police protection to the places we visit；〃 answered
Mr。 Sparling； when spoken to about this。 〃But； if ever I get my hands on
that red head； the fur will fly！〃
Passing out of the state of Utah； a few stands were made in Nevada；
but the jumps were now long and it was all the circus trains could do to get
from stand to stand in time。 As it was； they were not always able to give
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the parade； but the manager made up for this by getting up a free show out
in front of the big top just before the afternoon and evening performances
began。
Reno was the last town played in Nevada； and everyone breathed a
sigh of relief as the tents were struck and the show moved across the line
into California。 The difficulty of getting water for man and beast had
proved a most serious one。 At Reno； however； a most serious thing had
occurred； one that disturbed the owner of the show very greatly。 Many of
the guy ropes holding the big top； had been cut while the performance was
going on and most of the canvasmen and laborers were engaged in taking
down and loading the menagerie outfit。
A wind storm was ing up； but fortunately it veered off before
reaching Reno。 The severed ropes were not discovered until after the
show was over and the tent was being struck。 Mr。 Sparling had been
quickly summoned。 After a careful examination of the ropes he
understood what had happened。 Phil； too； had discovered one cut rope
and the others； on his way from the dressing tent to the front； after
finishing his performance。
But there was nothing now that required his looking up Mr。 Sparling；
in view of the fact that the canvas was already ing down。 Yet after
getting his usual night lunch in the town； the lad strolled over to the
railroad yards intending to visit the manager as soon as the latter should
have returned from the lot。
The two met just outside the owner's private car； a short time after the
loading had been pleted。
〃Oh； I want to see you； Mr。 Sparling； if you have the time。〃
〃I've always time for that。 I was in hopes I would get a chance to
have a chat with you before we got started。 Will you e in？〃
〃Yes； thank you。〃
Entering the private car Mr。 Sparling took off his coat and threw
himself into a chair in front of his roll…top desk。
〃Phil； there's deviltry going on in this outfit again；〃 he said fixing a
stern eye on the little Circus Boy。
Phil nodded。
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〃You don't seem to be very much surprised。〃
〃I'm not。 I think I know what you mean。〃
〃You do？ What for instance？〃
〃The cutting of those ropes tonight；〃 smiled Phil。
〃You know that？〃
The lad nodded again； but this time with more emphasis。
〃Is there anything that goes on in this outfit that you do not know
about？〃
〃Oh； I presume so。 If I hadn't chanced to walk over a place where
there should have been a guy rope I probably never should have
discovered what had been done。〃
〃I'll bet you would；〃 answered the owner； gazing at the lad admiringly。
〃It is fortunate for us that we did not have a wind storm during the
evening。〃
〃Fortunate for the audience； I should say。 Nothing could have held
the tent with those ropes gone。 It showed that the cordage had been cut
by someone very familiar with the canvas。 Almost a breath of wind
would have caused the whole big top to collapse； and then a lot of people
might have been killed。 Well； the season is almost at an end now。 If we
are lucky we shall soon be out of it。〃
〃All the more reason for getting the fellow at once；〃 nodded Phil。
〃Why？〃
〃After a few days we shall be closing； and then we shall not get an
opportunity。〃
〃That's good logic。 I agree with you。 I shall be delighted to place
these hands of mine right on that fiend's throat。 But first； will you tell me
how I am going to do it？ Haven't we been trying to catch him ever since
those two men were discharged？ Both of them are in this thing。〃
〃I think you will find that there is only one now。 I believe Larry is
working alone。 I haven't any particular reason for thinking this； it just
sort of seems to me to be so。〃
〃Any suggestions； Phil？ I'll confess that I am at my wits' end。〃
〃Yes； I have been thinking of a plan lately。〃
〃What is it？〃
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〃Have the trains searched。〃
〃What？〃
〃You will remember my saying； sometime ago； that I believed the
fellow was still traveling with us and〃
〃But howwhere could he ride that he would not be sure of
discovery？〃 protested Mr。 Sparling。
〃He has friends with the show； that's how；〃 answered Phil
convincingly。
〃You amaze me。〃
〃All the same； I believe you will find that to be the case。〃
〃And you would suggest searching the trains？〃
〃Yes。〃