Part 18 (1/2)
”That's the fellow who was hanging around the lot at St. Catharines yesterday,” spoke up someone.
”Yes; I remember now, he was asking me questions,” said another, whose voice Phil recognized as belonging to the foreman of the stake and chain gang. ”I got to thinking about it afterwards, and realized that he was a little too inquisitive for a greenhorn. He's been on the lot all day again.”
Mr. Sully surveyed Phil with an ugly scowl.
”What are you doing around here, young man?”
”For one thing, I am trying to prevent one of your followers robbing a woman,” answered Phil boldly.
”Who are you?”
”That is my own affair.”
”I know him! I know him! I Know!” shouted another.
Sully turned to him inquiringly.
”Who is he, if you know so much?”
”He's a fellow what was with the Sparling outfit last year.
He was always b.u.t.ting in then, and I can tell you he ain't here for any good now, Boss.”
”So, that's the game is it?” sneered Sully. ”You come with me.
I've got a few questions I want to ask you.”
”I don't have to go with you,” replied Phil.
”Oh, yes you do! Bring him along and if he raises a row just hand him one and put him to sleep.”
Two men grabbed Phil roughly by his arms.
He jerked away and started to run when he was pounced upon and borne to the ground. Phil found himself grasped by the collar and jerked violently to his feet, with the leering face of Sully thrust up close to his own.
”I'll see that you don't get away this time,” growled the showman.
Dragging the lad along by the collar further off on the lot, the showman finally paused.
”Get the carriage,” he commanded sharply.
”What you going to do with me?” demanded Phil.
”That depends. I'm going to find out something about you first, and decide what to do with you later.”
”And, when you get through, I shall have you arrested for a.s.sault. It will be my turn to act then,” retorted the Circus Boy. ”I have done nothing except to stop a miserable thief from plying his trade. I understand that's a game you--”
”That will do, young man. Here's the wagon. Now, if you go quietly you will have no trouble. But just try to call for help, or raise any sort of a ruction, and you'll see more stars than there are in the skies when the moon's on a strike. Get in there.”
Phil was thrust into the closed carriage, which the showman used for driving back and forth between the train and the lot.