Part 46 (1/2)

”It's a circus wagon,” breathed the lad, recognizing the sound instantly ”I hope it is the wagon”

He listened intently, keeping the torchessharp coto him

The torches were so lo, that Phil could scarcely see the beast Then, all at once, he realized that Wallace was creeping toward hi torches

Phil waited, peering into the shadows He was not afraid, as he recalled his sensations afterwards; but a strange little thrill see up and down his spinal colu forward to meet Wallace The astonished lion halted for a brief instant, and in that instant the Circus Boy thrust one of the torches full in his face The flaed his broell

Uttering abackwards and landing against the ith such force as to jar several panes of glass from thenearby

”Phil! Phil! Are you there?” ca voice from behind the lad It was the voice of Teddy Tucker on a ladder at one side of thefro

”Yes, yes Be careful Did you bring the is here, too He's half worried to death What shall we do?”

”Have theainst the open door When that's done some of you coht in the hall, but jump into the room across the hall as soon as you open the door

Wallace will scent his ht downstairs and ju by to close the doors on him Hurry now Tell theer”

Teddy slid down the ladder without waiting to place feet or hand on the rungs, and Phil's anxious ears told hie around to the rear yard

Soon he heard footsteps on the back stairs Wallace was showing new signs of agitation

”All ready, in there?”

”All ready,” answered Phil

Teddy jerked the door open and leaping across the hall, shut hi the wall behind hiy beast leaped into the hall There he paused for an instant One bound took him to the foot of the stairs

The next landed hie doors closed behind him with a metallic snap

Wallace was safe

”Got hih of relief Sorabbed Phil Forrest in his ar him until the dead torches fell to the floor with a clatter and the lad begged to be released

”My brave Phil, my brave boy!” breathed the show like that You have saved the lives of ht, and what is more you have captured the most valuable lion in the world--you and Teddy I don't knohat to say nor how to say it I--”

”I wouldn't try were I in your place,” grinned Phil ”I presuht dae that has been done to their house”

”I'll settle the bills; don't you worry about that”

”Anyaround loose in here?” questioned Teddy, poking his head in through the open door ”I and my little club are ready for the?”