"How did that beast get up here?" demanded Mr. Sparling.

　　"Who, Cummings?" asked Teddy innocently.

　　"No, no! The donkey.""Oh! Maybe he came up through the smoke stack. If you will lookat it you may find donkey tracks on the inside of the stack.""That will do, that will do, young man."It was found upon investigation that January had gnawed his halteruntil only a thin strand held it together, which was easy for the donkey tobreak. Then he began an investigation of the boat, ending by hisclimbing the broad staircase and frightening the pilot.

　　Next morning the pilot house looked as though it had been through ashipwreck. The whole craft, in fact the entire fleet, was laughing at theexpense of Cummings, who now kept to himself, studiously avoiding theother people. January was tied up with a dog chain after that, and wasnot heard from again during any trip of that season; that is, beyond hisregular acts in the sawdust arena.

　　The next day Phil Forrest began his investigation in earnest. Heknew that Mr. Sparling looked to him to discover who had caused so muchtrouble in the show, besides which, Phil took a personal interest because ofthe attempt that had been made on the lives of Little Dimples and himself.

　　Teddy suggested that he go through the pilot's belongings, expressingthe firm belief that they would find the ostrich egg were they to do so.

　　Phil consulted Little Dimples, that afternoon, as to her opinion of theoccurrences of the past week, but the star bareback rider could shed nolight on them, beyond the fact that certain people with whom Phil had haddifficulties might bear watching.

　　"That's what I think," answered the Circus Boy. "I do not like toaccuse anyone unjustly, but I have these suspicions of the Spanish clown.""Have you mentioned your suspicion to Mr. Sparling, Phil?""No.""Do you intend to do so?""Not unless I find some facts to support my suspicion.""You will get to the bottom of the mystery, I am sure," smiled thewoman.

　　"I am not so sure. Why do you think so?""Because you are one of the cleverest boys I ever knew, that's why.

　　should hate to have you on my track if I were guilty of any particularcrime that you were trying to run down. I should expect to land in jail,and I think I should come straight to you and give myself up," added thewoman with a merry laugh.

　　"I wish I were all that you think I am, Dimples.""You are. You saved my life again yesterday. I'm going to payyou back, however. Someday, when you fall overboard, Little Dimples isgoing to jump right in and rescue you--haul you out by the hair of yourhead--""You can't, it is cut too short.""Then I will pull you out by an ear.""I shall make it my business to fall in, then, at the first opportunity,"laughed Phil. "It would be worthwhile."Dimples gave him a playful tap.

　　"You can turn a compliment as well as you can do a turn in the ring,can't you Phil Forrest?"Despite their narrow escape from serious accident, Phil and Dimpleswent through their double act in the ring that day and evening with perfectconfidence. Previous to going on, Phil had had a ring attendant go overthe sawdust circle on his hands and knees, making a careful examinationof it, to be sure that the ring had not been tampered with.

　　>From that time on until the act went on, the ring was watched, thoughPhil did not believe the miscreant would attempt to lay another trap forhim so soon. Still, he took nothing for granted.

　　That night after the performance, the air being warm and balmy, theCircus Boy strolled out on the lot, sitting down on a little knoll to thinkmatters over. There was plenty of time, for the boat would not leave fortwo or three hours, and Phil wanted to be alone.

　　Lights were twinkling on the lot like fireflies. There was shoutingand singing, but little of this conveyed itself to Phil, for his mind was onother things.

　　All at once he pricked up his ears. He caught the sound of runningfootsteps.

　　"Someone is coming this way," he muttered. "I wonder what thatmeans? Surely none of the circus people would come here. Theywould go around by the road."The lad concealed himself behind the knoll, peering over the top of it.

　　He resolved not to show himself ............