Part 11 (1/2)

Those up near the dome of the tent, still going through their acts, now heard the patter of heavy rain drops on the canvas top.

The lights throughout the tent flickered a little under the draught that sucked in through the openings in the tent and the open s.p.a.ce at the top of the side walls.

The audience showed signs of restlessness.

”It is only a spring shower, ladies and gentlemen,” announced the ringmaster. ”You have no cause for alarm. The hats of the ladies are perfectly safe. This tent is waterproof. You could soak it in the Mississippi without getting a drop of water through it. That's the way the Sparling show looks out for its patrons. Nothing cheap about the Sparling outfit!”

A laugh greeted his remarks.

A blinding flash faded the gasoline lamps to a ghostly flame.

A few seconds later a crash that shook the earth followed, causing the audience to s.h.i.+ver with nervous apprehension.

Teddy had come out and was gazing aloft. He grinned at Phil, noting at the same time that all the lofty performers were preparing to come down.

”h.e.l.lo, fraid-cats up there!” jeered the Circus Boy.

”You get out of here!” snapped the ringmaster. ”What are you doing here, anyway?”

”I'm working.”

”Yes, I see you working. Go on about your business and don't bother me. Don't you think I have anything else to do except to watch you, in order to prevent your breaking up the performance?”

”You ought to thank me for keeping you busy,” chuckled Teddy, making a lively jump to get out of the way of the long lash that snapped at his heels.

Perhaps there was method in Teddy Tucker's movements.

He strolled out into the concourse, gazing up at the crowded seats, winking and making wry faces at the people, as he moved slowly along, causing them to laugh and shout flippant remarks at him.

This was exactly what he wanted them to do. It gave Teddy an opportunity to talk back, and many a keen-pointed shaft did he hurl at the unwary who had been imprudent enough to try to make sport of him.

While this impromptu act was going on the minds of the people were so occupied that they forgot all about the storm.

The rain was now beating down on the big top in a deluge, and despite the ringmaster's a.s.surance that the canvas would not leak, a fine spray was filling the tent like a thin fog, through which the lights glowed in pale circles.

”Even the lamps have halos,” Teddy informed the people. ”I had one once, but the ringmaster borrowed it and forgot to return it.

But I don't care. He needs a halo more than I do.”

A howl greeted this sally.

Teddy was about to say something else, after the first wave of laughter had swept over the audience, but no one heard him speak.

Another flash, more brilliant, more blinding than any that had gone before it, lighted up the tent. The big top seemed suddenly to have been filled with fire. Thin threads of it ran down quarter and center pole; circles of it raced about the iron rings used in various parts of the tent, then jumped into the rigging, running up and down the iron braces and wire ropes used to brace the apparatus.

The flash was accompanied by a report that was terrifying.

At that instant a great ball of fire descended from the damp top of the tent, dropping straight toward the concourse.

Teddy Tucker chanced to be standing just beneath it. He had glanced up when the report came, to see if any damage had been done aloft.

”Wow!” breathed Teddy.

Just then the ball burst only a few feet above his head, scattering fire in all directions.