Part 17 (1/2)

”Those fellows are crooks, as sure as I a to the conversation of the couple just ahead of hi told me I could hardly believe it I'll spend part of the time outside tomorrow and make sure I shall know those fellohen I see therounds”

It had not occurred to Phil Forrest that he h he knew full well that circus people had keen eyes, especially in an outfit such as this

The nextthat worthy to take breakfast with hilad to do Fros that added to his store of knowledge, a the fact that Sully's outfit was even worse than it had been painted

Mingling with the crowds about the main entrance, before the doors were opened that afternoon, Phil once more saw the sa From their actions he was more than ever satisfied that he had not been mistaken in his estimate of the for some pockets to pick,”yet”

As atheir trade, but his eyes had not been quick enough to catch them at it

Phil, however, wasa the people massed out in front he saw aof a well-dressed woman

Phil traced the hand back until he made out the owner, as one of the saasoline torch lighted the operation faintly, and Phil gazed with fascinated eyes while the stealthy hand opened the bag quickly extracting its contents

Almost at the instant the wo

”I've been robbed!” she cried

The words stirred Phil to instant action

In another second the thief felt a vise-like grip about the wrist that held the plunder

”Here's the man that did it, madam Call an officer,” said Phil calmly

CHAPTER X

THE CIRCUS BOY IS RECOGNIZED

Giving the wrist of his prisoner a sharp twist, Phil snatched away the s them to the woman

By this tiht to jerk his hand away, seeing that it was rabbed him To the surprise of the crook he found it was not an easyseveral desperate efforts the fellow adopted other o of me, I tell you I'll have you put away for this”

”I'll let go of you when a policeman has hold of you, and not before,” retorted Phil ”You are a thief I saw you steal that wory exclamation and launched a blow at Phil's head, which the lad avoided, allowing it to pass over his shoulder

”Hurry! Get a policeed Phil, as he closed with his antagonist

”Thief! Thief,” cried several voices at once It was a cry that had been heard before about the Sully shows