Part 16 (1/2)
”Wondering how you know where the other fellow is going?”
”That's a dark secret, kid,” answered the stake and chain foreman, with a very knowing wink.
”But if you know where he is going he must know where you are billed for at the same time,” urged Phil.
”He don't.”
”But why not?”
”In the first place we bill ourselves only a few days ahead.
And, in the second, we have a way of finding out where Sparling is going for the next month or so ahead. Sometimes further than that.”
”Well, well, that's interesting--” The foreman hurried off to give some directions to his men, slowly returning a few minutes later.
”I should like to know how you do it?”
”Say kid, there's tricks in the show business just the same as in any other. Mebby there's somebody with the Sparling outfit who keeps us posted. Mind you, I ain't saying there is; but that there might be.”
”Oh, I see,” muttered Phil, suddenly enlightened. ”Then someone in the other show is giving away his employer's secrets.
Fine for you, but pretty rough on the other fellow.”
”Let the other fellow take care of himself, the same way we do,”
growled the foreman, following it with a threatening command to one of his men.
”That hardly seems fair,” objected Phil.
”All is fair in war and the circus business. You seem a good deal interested in this compet.i.tion business?” snapped the man with sudden suspicion in voice and face.
”I am. But where is this--this Sparling show going to--do you know what towns they are going to play for the next month?
Can you tell that, too?”
”I can come pretty close to it,” grinned the showman, whereupon he named the towns on Phil's route list without so much as missing one of them. But the stake and chain foreman did not stop here; he went on and gave a further list that Phil only knew of as having heard mentioned by Mr. Sparling in his various conversations with the circus lad.
Phil was amazed.
”Then they must be going west. I see,” nodded the boy.
”No, you don't see. You only think you do.”
”No?”
”No. If you was a showman and knew your business you'd know that the Sparling outfit was going to make a sudden turn after a little, and head for Dixie Land.”
”Down south,” exclaimed Phil.
”Sure. Why not? You see you lubbers don't know any more about the show business than--”
”And you are going to follow them?”
”Follow them? No. We're going to lead them. They'll follow us.”