Part 44 (1/2)
They started on a run across an open lot, then turning into the street above, saw the torches flaring by the roadside half a block away. Jerking the lights up the lads ran back to the street they had previously left.
”Where shall we look?”
”We might as well begin right here, Teddy. I can't help believing that Wallace is somewhere in the town. I don't believe, for a minute, that he would run off into the country.
If he has he'll be back in a very short time. You remember what I tell you. If we can get track of him we'll follow and send word back to the lot so they can come and get him.”
”Why not catch him ourselves?”
”I don't think we two boys had better try that. I am afraid it would prove too much for us.”
”I've got a tent stake. I'm not afraid. Why didn't you bring a club?”
”I have the ringmaster's whip. I prefer that to a club when it comes to meeting a wild lion. h.e.l.lo, up there!” called Phil, discovering two men looking out of a window above him.
”h.e.l.lo yourself. You fellows belong to the circus?”
”Yes. Have you seen anything of a lion around this part of the town?”
”A tall fellow about my size, with blue eyes and blonde hair,”
added Teddy.
”Stop your fooling, Teddy.”
”A lion?”
”Yes.”
”Only one?”
”That's all,” replied Phil a bit impatiently. ”Have you seen him?”
”Why, we heard the whole menagerie had escaped.”
”That is a mistake. Only one animal got away--the lion.”
”No; we haven't seen him, but we heard him a little while ago.”
”Where, where?” questioned the boy eagerly.
”Heard him roar, and it sounded as if he was off in that direction.”
”O, thank you, thank you,” answered Phil.
”Say, are you in the show did you say?” now catching sight of Phil's tights under the bright moonlight.
”Yes.”
”What do you do?”
”I am in the big trapeze act, the flying rings and a few other little things.”