Part 40 (2/2)

”You'd catch cold That's all you can catch,” retorted Teddy, whereat the laugh was turned on the clown, ust

Tucker proved to be a pretty little town on the open plain

There was nothing in the appearance of the place to indicate that they ht look for trouble However, as the clown had prophesied, trouble aiting theinning to the end of the circus season

The afternoon perfor crowded al himself into his work in the air with more spirit and enthusiasm than he had shown at any ti's request, however, the lad had omitted his triple somersault froerous, assuring Phil that sooner or later he would be sure to break his neck

Phil laughed at the owner's fears, but pro beyond a double after that He remembered how quickly he had lost himself when he attempted the feat before Fewso confused that they lose all sense of direction and location

The evening house was ale as that of the afternoon, as usual the audience being made up principally of town people, the country spectators having returned to their hoht set in dark and oppressive

Soon after the gasoline lights were lighted the anies restlessly, while the lions roared interhed almost hysterically

It sent a shi+ver down the backs of nearly everyone who heard it-- the shrill laugh of the hyenas reaching clear back to the dressing tent

Teddy Tucker's eyes always grew large when he heard the laugh of the hyena

”B-r-r-r!” exclaimed Teddy

”You'll 'b-r-r-r' worse than that before you get through,”

growled a performer

”Why?”

” 'Cause it ht--trouble”

”What kind of trouble does it mean?” asked Phil

”I don't know Souess You can't always tell Those anis, when it co,” broke in Mr Miaco the head clown

”Well, you expected so would happen in a town called Tucker, didn't you?”

”Are you going to be with this show next season, Teddy?”

questioned the cloho had taunted hin out with some other outfit I refuse to travel with a bunch that carries a hoodoo like you with it I feel it in ht, and just as soon as I can get throughto run--run, s will carry me

That won't be any snail's pace, either”

The performers joked and passed the ti top This in, and that the music is started to hurry the people to their seats

All hands fell silent as they got busy putting the finishi+ng touches to theirthe voice of the ring tent