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This time Phil began looking about to see if there were not really an
opening in his chamber。 He found it at the top over one of the shelves； a
small grill； over which a curtain had been stretched。 Phil lost no time in
climbing up to it。 He peered out and saw the men plainly。 With Sully
was his parade manager； and they were talking excitedly。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
Phil opened his eyes wide when he began to realize the enormity of the
plan that they were discussing。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
CHAPTER XIII
THROUGH RINGS OF FIRE
〃If there should happen to be a wind we might cut a rope or two and
let the big top down on them；〃 suggested parade manager。
〃Yes； it would put them out of business for the night performance； but
we don't want them to fill up for the afternoon show。 That's when they
are going to get the money。 You see； Sparling's show is bigger and better
known than ours； and showing there the same day we are liable to get the
worst of it。 Can't you suggest anything else？〃
〃If you don't like letting the big top down on their heads； and
providing there is no wind to make the attempt worthwhile； I would
suggest another way。〃
〃The scoundrels！〃 breathed the listener above their heads。
〃What's your suggestion？〃
〃Stampede the elephants。〃
〃That's a dandy！ And we know how to do it； eh； Lawrence？〃
The parade manager nodded emphatically。
〃They'll never know what happened to them。 We can do it before the
show gets to the lot if you think best？〃
Sully shook his head。
〃No。 We'll wait till just as the doors are about to open for the
afternoon show。 Mind you； I'm not saying we shall do it。 I'll think about
the matter。 Perhaps I can think up a better plan after I have gone over the
matter。〃
〃Where's that boy you told me about？〃
Sully motioned toward the end of the car where Phil was locked in the
linen closet。
〃What you going to do with him？〃
〃Drop him when I get ready。〃
〃But aren't you afraid the other outfit will get wind of what you are
doing？ It's pretty dangerous business to lock up a fellow like that。〃
〃I don't care whether they get wise to it or not。 They won't know
where he is。 After we get to the border I don't care a rap for them；〃 and
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the showman snapped his fingers disdainfully。 〃They can't touch us on the
other side of the Niagara River and they'd better not try it。 Maybe
Sparling won't be in business by that time；〃 grinned the showman with a
knowing wink。
Sully rose； and shortly afterwards left the car with his parade manager。
Phil sat down on the floor of his compartment with head in hands；
trying to think what he had better do。 These men were planning a
deliberate campaign to wreck his employer's show。
〃Something must be done！〃 breathed the boy； clenching his fists until
the nails bit into the flesh； 〃But what can I do； I can do nothing unless I
can get away from here； and they will not let me out； at least not until we
have gotten by Corinto。〃
The more he thought and planned the greater his perplexity became。
There seemed no way out of it。 His only hope now seemed to lie in Mr。
Sparling becoming alarmed at his absence； and instituting a search for him。
His employer would quickly divine something of the truth after Phil had
remained silent for two or three days。 Perhaps； even now； the owner of
the Great Sparling Combined Shows had sent someone on to learn what
had become of his star bareback rider。
Phil's train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the door of his
compartment being violently jerked open。
The lad's first impulse was to tell Sully； who now stood facing him；
what he had overheard。 Upon second thought； however； Phil decided
that it would be much better to give the showman no intimation of what he
had learned。
〃Come out； young man。〃
Phil complied； glad to be free of his narrow chamber； no matter what
the reason for the summons might be。
〃What do you wish of me now？〃
〃Come into my office and I'll tell you。 I understand you are a
bareback rider；〃 continued Sully； after they had seated themselves in his
little office； the door being locked behind them。
〃So you say。〃
〃And a good one at that？〃
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Phil made no answer。 He had not the least idea what was coming。
〃My principal bareback rider stepped on a switch frog this morning
and turned his ankle。 He is out of the running for a week。 I need a man
more than I ever did。 Do you want to join this show？〃
Phil gazed at him in amazement。
〃You haven't money enough to induce me to。〃
〃Perhaps I have； but I won't induce with it；〃 grinned the owner。 〃I've a
plan to suggest。〃
〃What is it？〃
〃If you will ride for me until we get to Corinto I'll give you seventy…
five dollars。〃
The Circus Boy was on the point of making an emphatic refusal； when
he suddenly checked himself and remained silent； as if thinking the
proposition over。
〃Well； what do you say？〃
〃If I do as you wish； when will you let me go？〃
〃Perhaps after we leave Corinto。〃
〃I don't believe you intend to do anything of the sort。〃
〃You think I'd lie to you？〃 blustered Sully。
〃I'm not saying that。 But I know you are not above doing worse
things。 I'll tell you what I will do。〃
〃Yes。〃
〃I'll ride for you today for twenty…five dollars。〃
〃Done！〃
〃Payable in advance； you know。〃
〃I guess you don't trust me？〃
〃Not for a minute。〃
〃Well； I must say you are brutally frank。〃
〃That's the way I do business；〃 answered the lad proudly。
〃But see here； young man； you must agree that you will make no effort
to get away；〃 demanded the showman a s