the circus boys across the continent(´©Ô½´ó½µÄÂíÏ·ÍÅÄк¢)-µÚ20ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
circumstances¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Dimples¡¡laughed¡¡heartily¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡stampede¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡upset¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He'll¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
showman¡¡if¡¡he¡¡ever¡¡settles¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡work¡¡in¡¡earnest¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡settled¡¡¡¡down£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Robinson£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡
dignity¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡my£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡needn't¡¡¡¡¡¡growl¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡paying¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
pliment¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thus¡¡she¡¡chattered¡¡on¡¡until¡¡they¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡paddock¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡been¡¡
there¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡moments¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡expected¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡summons¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡¡¡was¡¡
brought¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡96¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡97¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XVI¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡AN¡¡UNEXPECTED¡¡PROMOTION¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡responded¡¡rather¡¡reluctantly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡have¡¡much¡¡preferred¡¡to¡¡
sit¡¡out¡¡in¡¡the¡¡paddock¡¡talking¡¡circus¡¡with¡¡Little¡¡Dimples¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡found¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡striding¡¡up¡¡and¡¡down¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡the¡¡elephant¡¡
enclosure¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡hope¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡serious¡¡¡¡¡¡happened£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡greeted¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil£»¡¡
approaching¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡damages£»¡¡no¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡few¡¡people¡¡knocked¡¡down£»¡¡mostly¡¡due¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡carelessness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡claim¡adjuster¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡work¡¡¡¡¡¡settling¡¡
with¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡hold¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡£¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡we'll¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡tonight£»¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡£¡¡
We'll¡¡have¡¡a¡¡turn¡away¡¡this¡¡afternoon£»¡¡too£»¡¡unless¡¡I¡¡am¡¡greatly¡¡mistaken¡£¡¡
Why£»¡¡they're¡¡lining¡¡up¡¡outside¡¡the¡¡front¡¡door¡¡now¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡glad¡¡for¡¡both¡¡these¡¡things£»¡¨¡¡smiled¡¡Phil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Especially¡¡so¡¡because¡¡
no¡¡one¡¡was¡¡killed¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡bareback¡¡¡¡¡¡riders¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡business¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
time¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡that¡¡so£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Who£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Monsieur¡¡Liebman¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡that's¡¡too¡¡bad¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡him£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Someone¡¡ran¡¡him¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡thrown¡¡and¡¡sprained¡¡his¡¡ankle¡£¡¡He¡¡
won't¡¡ride¡¡for¡¡sometime£»¡¡I¡¡reckon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡e¡¡over¡¡here¡¡and¡¡sit¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
want¡¡to¡¡have¡¡a¡¡little¡¡chat¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡crossed¡¡the¡¡tent£»¡¡sitting¡¡down¡¡on¡¡a¡¡bale¡¡of¡¡straw¡¡just¡¡back¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡monkey¡¡cage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡simians¡¡were¡¡chattering¡¡loudly£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡discussing¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡exciting¡¡¡¡¡¡incidents¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡morning¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
showman¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡flocked¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡cage£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hanging¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡bars£»¡¡
watching¡¡him¡¡to¡¡find¡¡out¡¡what¡¡he¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡do¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡made¡¡a¡¡place¡¡for¡¡Phil¡¡beside¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sit¡¡down¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Thank¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡running¡¡up¡¡in¡¡my¡¡¡¡mind£»¡¡¡¡on¡¡my¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡back£»¡¡that£»¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡actual¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡97¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡98¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
figures£»¡¡you've¡¡saved¡¡me¡¡about¡¡ten¡¡thousand¡¡dollars¡£¡¡Perhaps¡¡it¡¡might¡¡be¡¡
double¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡that's¡¡near¡¡enough¡¡for¡¡all¡¡practical¡¡purposes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡saved¡¡you¡¨¡¡marveled¡¡Phil£»¡¡flushing¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡you¡¡began¡¡last¡¡year£»¡¡and¡¡you¡¡have¡¡started¡¡off¡¡at¡¡the¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡
pace¡¡this¡¡season¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Today¡¡you¡¡have¡¡gone¡¡and¡¡done¡¡it¡¡again¡£¡¡That¡¡was¡¡one¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡nerviest¡¡things¡¡I¡¡ever¡¡saw¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡wouldn't¡¡have¡¡given¡¡a¡¡copper¡¡cent¡¡for¡¡
your¡¡life£»¡¡and¡¡I'll¡¡bet¡¡you¡¡wouldn't£»¡¡either¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨N¡o¡o£»¡¨¡¡reflected¡¡Phil¡¡slowly£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡thought¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡goner¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨While¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡our¡¡crowd¡¡were¡¡hiking¡¡for¡¡cover£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡'cold¡¡
feet£»'¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡diving¡¡¡¡¡¡right¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡heart¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trouble£»¡¡¡¡picking¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡
principal¡¡equestrienne¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡you¡¡sent¡¡her¡¡away¡¡and¡¡stopped¡¡to¡¡face¡¡the¡¡
herd¡¡of¡¡bulls¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jumping¡¡giraffes£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡a¡¡sight£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡monkeys¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡finish¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡animated¡¡
discussion¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡deserve¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡credit¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡that¡£¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡caught¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
might¡¡as¡¡well¡¡face¡¡the¡¡music¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Bosh£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡heard¡¡you¡¡calling¡¡for¡¡Emperor£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡right¡¡away¡¡that¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡yours¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡working¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wheels¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡chariot¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
Roman¡¡¡¡¡¡race¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡trying¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡do£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡I'd¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡bet¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
thousand¡¡¡¡¡¡yards¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡canvas¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡did£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
showman¡¡sighed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡was¡¡very¡¡much¡¡embarrassed¡¡and¡¡sat¡¡kicking¡¡his¡¡heels¡¡into¡¡the¡¡soft¡¡
turf£»¡¡wishing¡¡that¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡would¡¡talk¡¡about¡¡something¡¡else¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡¡¡¡¡whole¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡talking¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I'm¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡press¡¡
agent¡¡wire¡¡the¡¡story¡¡on¡¡ahead¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡told¡¡him£»¡¡just¡¡before¡¡I¡¡came¡¡in£»¡¡that¡¡if¡¡
he'd¡¡follow¡¡you¡¡he'd¡¡get¡¡'copy'¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡last¡¡him¡¡all¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡his¡¡natural¡¡
life¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡that¡¡crowd¡¡out¡¡there¡¡has¡¡e¡¡because¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡young¡¡circus¡¡
boy¡¡with¡¡the¡¡show£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡a¡¡head¡¡on¡¡his¡¡shoulders¡¡and¡¡the¡¡pluck¡¡to¡¡back¡¡
his¡¡gray¡¡matter¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Have¡¡you¡¡talked¡¡with¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Kennedy£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Phil£»¡¡wishing¡¡to¡¡change¡¡
the¡¡personal¡¡trend¡¡of¡¡the¡¡conversation¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡why£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡98¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡99¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡he¡¡say¡¡what¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡was¡¡the¡¡matter¡¡with¡¡Jupiter£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡didn't¡¡know¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡only¡¡that¡¡Jupiter¡¡had¡¡been¡¡'off'¡¡for¡¡nearly¡¡
two¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Kennedy¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bad¡¡¡¡¡¡stomach¡£¡¡¡¡Why¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡
ask¡¡that¡¡question£¿¡¨¡¡demanded¡¡the¡¡showman£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡shrewd¡¡glance¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
boy¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Because¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡wondering¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡Jupiter¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡since¡¡
morning¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡thinking£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡what¡¡are¡¡you¡¡driving¡¡at£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You've¡¡got¡¡something¡¡in¡¡your¡¡head¡£¡¡
Out¡¡with¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡may¡¡sound¡¡foolish£»¡¡but¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡what£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨While¡¡Jupiter¡¡was¡¡bad£»¡¡he¡¡showed¡¡none¡¡of¡¡the¡¡signs¡¡that¡¡e¡¡from¡¡a¡¡
fit¡¡of¡¡purely¡¡bad¡¡temperthat¡¡is£»¡¡before¡¡the¡¡stampede¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡right¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡what¡¡brought¡¡it¡¡on£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Phil¡¡looking¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡squarely¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡eyes¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡a¡¡few¡¡seconds¡¡man¡¡and¡¡boy¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡each¡¡other¡¡without¡¡a¡¡word¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What's¡¡your¡¡idea£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡showman¡¡quietly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡my¡¡opinion¡¡that¡¡somebody¡¡doctored¡¡himgave¡¡him¡¡something¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡showman¡¡uttered¡¡a¡¡long£»¡¡low¡¡whistle¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You've¡¡hit¡¡it£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You've¡¡hit¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡exclaimed£»¡¡bringing¡¡a¡¡hand¡¡down¡¡on¡¡
the¡¡lad's¡¡knee¡¡with¡¡such¡¡force¡¡that¡¡Phil¡¡winced¡£¡¡¡¨It's¡¡one¡¡of¡¡those¡¡rascally¡¡
canvasmen¡¡that¡¡I¡¡discharged¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡if¡¡ever¡¡I¡¡get¡¡my¡¡hands¡¡on¡¡him¡¡it¡¡will¡¡be¡¡
a¡¡sorry¡¡day¡¡for¡¡him£¡¡¡You¡¡haven't¡¡seen¡¡him¡¡about£»¡¡have¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡thought¡¡I¡¡caught¡¡a¡¡glimpse¡¡of¡¡him¡¡on¡¡the¡¡street¡¡yesterday¡¡during¡¡the¡¡
parade£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡disappeared¡¡so¡¡quickly¡¡that¡¡I¡¡could¡¡not¡¡be¡¡sure¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡nodded¡¡reflectively¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡probably¡¡heard¡¡how¡¡Emperor¡¡ducked¡¡him¡¡and¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡you¡¡remember¡¡I¡¡came¡¡up¡¡just¡¡after¡¡the¡¡occurrence¡£¡¡I'll¡¡tell¡¡you¡¡
what¡¡I¡¡want¡¡you¡¡to¡¡do¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡release¡¡you¡¡from¡¡the¡¡parade¡¡for¡¡tomorrow£»¡¡and¡¡perhaps¡¡longer£»¡¡and¡¡
I¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡spend¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡moving¡¡¡¡¡¡around¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡among¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡downtown¡¡
crowds¡¡to¡¡see¡¡if¡¡you¡¡can¡¡spot¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡you¡¡succeed£»¡¡well¡¡you¡¡will¡¡know¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡99¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡100¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
what¡¡to¡¡do¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Want¡¡me¡¡to¡¡act¡¡as¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡detective£¿¡¨¡¡grinned¡¡Phil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡you¡¡might¡¡put¡¡it¡¡that¡¡way£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡don't¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡are¡¡serving¡¡me¡¡if¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡I¡¡know¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡am¡¡glad¡¡to¡¡serve¡¡you¡¡in¡¡any¡¡way¡¡I¡¡can¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡that£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡laughed¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡
think¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡shown¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡thinking¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡matter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡
has¡¡been¡¡in¡¡my¡¡mind¡¡for¡¡several¡¡days¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡glanced¡¡up¡¡inquiringly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡would¡¡you¡¡like¡¡to¡¡e¡¡out¡¡front£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡mean£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨To¡¡join¡¡my¡¡staff£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡need¡¡someone¡¡just¡¡like¡¡youa¡¡young¡¡man¡¡with¡¡
ideas£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡execution¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡developed¡¡
them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡are¡¡the¡¡one¡¡I¡¡want¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Wait¡¡till¡¡I¡¡get¡¡through¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡can¡¡continue¡¡with¡¡your¡¡acts¡¡if¡¡you¡¡wish£»¡¡
just¡¡the¡¡same£»¡¡and¡¡give¡¡your¡¡odd¡¡moments¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨In¡¡what¡¡capacity£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡want¡¡of¡¡a¡¡better¡¡name¡¡we'll¡¡call¡¡it¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡confidential¡¡
man¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡appreciate¡¡the¡¡offer¡¡more¡¡than¡¡I¡¡can¡¡tell¡¡you£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡£¡¡Butbut¡¡¡
¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡what£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mill¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ring¡£¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡learn¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡
everything¡¡that¡¡almost¡¡anyone¡¡can¡¡do¡¡there¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡showman¡¡laughed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡you¡¡would¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡do¡¡what¡¡few¡¡men¡¡ever¡¡have¡¡succeeded¡¡in¡¡
doing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wonder¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'm¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡saying¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
already£»¡¡in¡¡your¡¡way¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡you¡¡would¡¡be¡¡a¡¡wonder¡¡among¡¡showmen¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡can¡¡do¡¡quite¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡things¡¡now¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡know¡¡you¡¡can¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡you¡¡will¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡say£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡funny£»¡¡but¡¡since¡¡you¡¡told¡¡me¡¡of¡¡the¡¡accident¡¡to¡¡your¡¡bareback¡¡man£»¡¡
I¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡you¡¡something¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Rather£»¡¡I¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡suggest¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡100¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡101¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Circus¡¡Boys¡¡Across¡¡The¡¡Continent¡¡£¨Or¡¡Winning¡¡New¡¡Laurels¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Tanbark£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡out¡¡with¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡suggest¡¡that¡¡you¡¡let¡¡me¡¡fill¡¡in¡¡his¡¡place¡¡until¡¡he¡¡is¡¡able¡¡
to¡¡work¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡would¡¡save¡¡you¡¡the¡¡expense¡¡of¡¡getting¡¡a¡¡new¡¡performer¡¡
on£»¡¡and¡¡would¡¡hold¡¡the¡¡job¡¡for¡¡the¡¡present¡¡man¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You£»¡¡a¡¡bareback¡¡rider£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Phil¡¡nodded¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡you¡¡can't¡¡ride£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡can£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡smiled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lad¡£¡¡¡¨I've¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡since¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
started¡¡the¡¡season¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡working¡¡every¡¡day¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Alone£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Robinson¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡teaching¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡¡¡¡¡course£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡am¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡
much¡¡of¡¡a¡¡rider£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡can¡¡manage¡¡to¡¡stick¡¡on¡¡somehow¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡manager¡¡was¡¡regarding¡¡him¡¡thoughtfully¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡intimated¡¡¡¡¡¡strongly¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡this£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡beat¡¡¡¡¡¡anything¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡
have¡¡seen¡¡in¡¡all¡¡my¡¡circus¡¡experience¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡say¡¡you¡¡can¡¡ride¡¡bareback£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡should¡¡like¡¡to¡¡see¡¡what¡¡you¡¡can¡¡do¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mind¡¡you£»¡¡I'm¡¡not¡¡saying¡¡I'll¡¡
let¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡try¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡public¡£¡¡Just¡¡¡¡¡¡curious£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡know£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
been¡¡doing¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nowwill¡¡you¡¡see¡¡me¡¡ride¡¡now£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sparling¡¡nodded¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡run¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡ready¡£¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡minutes£»¡¨¡¡
laughed¡¡the¡¡boy£»¡¡as£»¡¡with¡¡sparkling¡¡eyes¡¡and¡¡flushed¡¡face£»¡¡he¡¡dashed¡¡back¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡dressing¡¡tent¡¡to¡¡convey¡¡the¡¡good¡¡news¡¡to¡¡Little¡¡Dimples¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡knew¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡cried¡¡enthusiastically¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡knew¡¡you¡¡would¡¡be¡¡a¡¡rival¡¡
soon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡I