Part 3 (1/2)
”Look out for yourself. I'll take care of myself,”
growled Teddy.
”I'm going to.”
Having finished their breakfast the boys started for the village, to call on Mrs. Cahill, their guardian and the custodian of their earnings. As they were leaving the grounds, Phil paused suddenly.
”Look there,” he said, pointing to Mr. Sparling's office tent.
”Well, if it isn't Billy Ford, the president of our cla.s.s,”
breathed Teddy. ”I didn't see him at the train when we came in this morning; did you?”
”No. He wasn't there.”
”Now, what do you suppose he is doing in Mr. Sparling's tent?”
”I haven't the least idea unless he is trying to find out where we are. Hey, Billy!”
Billy Ford paused at the sound of the familiar call; then the Circus Boys hurried toward him. Billy went suddenly red in the face as if he were very much embarra.s.sed.
”What you doing in there?” demanded Teddy.
”Why--why--perhaps I was trying to join the show,”
stammered Billy.
”We wouldn't have you. You and I couldn't travel in the same show. They'd fire us both.”
”Why?” questioned Billy, now regaining his presence of mind.
” 'Cause, between us we'd put the show out of business.”
”I believe you would,” nodded Phil.
”Where you going, boys?”
”Mrs. Cahill's.”
”Then I'll walk down that way with you. What time do you get through at night?”
”We finish our last act about ten o'clock,” answered Phil.
”Why?”
”Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to know.”
Phil shot a swift, suspicious glance at the schoolboy, but Billy's face bore an expression as serene as the May morning of that very day.
Mr. Sparling hailed the lads as they were leaving the lot.
”You may be excused from parade today, both of you. You no doubt will want to spend all the time you can with your friends.”