Part 3 (1/2)

”I did not mean for you to leave in quite such a hurry as that,”

laughed Mr Sparling ”Besides, this is rather a bad night to s in shape, and leave when you get ready”

”Does Mr Snowden know I am to join him?”

”Yes; I have already written him to that effect--that is, I told him you probably would join at an early day”

”Where is Car Three now?”

Mr Sparling consulted his route card

”It is in Madison, Wisconsin, today This car keeps about four weeks ahead of the show, you know We are in Flint, Michigan, today Do you think you can get away tomorrow?”

”Certainly Where do we show toinaw”

”It will be an easy jump from there to Madison”

”Yes; but you will not catch the car at Madison I think you had better plan to join them at St Paul the day after tomorrow

Will that suit you?”

”Yes I supposewith the show?”

”Of course You will close your season before the show itself does; then you can return to us, though I shall not expect you to perform You no doubt will be a little rusty by that ti--” added the boy, a sudden thought co to him

”Yes?”

”What about Teddy? Does he reotten all about that little rascal Yes, he-- but wait awith you He wants to own a show one of these days, doesn't he?”

”I believe he does,” sood experience for him Besides, I should be afraid to trust him around this outfit if you were not here to look after hi I knew Yes, he had better go with you And another thing--salaries in the advance are not the same, you know”

”I am aware of the fact, sir”

”You will draw the same salaries that other employees of Number Three do, and in addition to this I shall send you boththe same money you now are”

”It is not necessary,” protested Phil

Mr Sparling waved the objection aside

”It is et ready now, and report to inaw for further instructions”

Phil rose His face was flushed He was now full of anticipation for the new life before him And it was to be a new life indeed--a life full of astonishi+ng experiences and adventures