Part 22 (1/2)

Teddy pondered.

”I don't know of anybody unless it's January,” he made solemn reply.

”The fool donkey? Bah!”

”I guess the donkey did not unlock your trunk and steal your egg, Teddy,” answered Phil, a half smile curling his lips.

”I am not going to ask you again whom you suspect. I take it for granted that you will keep your eyes open from now on.”

”I certainly shall, Mr. Sparling.”

”If you are unable to find out who is responsible for certain things I am sure there is no use in my trying to do so.”

”I do not know about that, Sir. I shall try. If I find out anything worthwhile I shall come to you and tell you.”

”I shall expect you to do so. And, Teddy!”

”Yes, sir.”

”You are to say nothing of this occurrence to anyone on the boat.

Do not mention that your precious egg has been lost or stolen, nor appear as if anything out of the ordinary had occurred.”

Teddy nodded his understanding.

Mr. Sparling understood his boys better than they knew. He was confident that Phil Forrest had a shrewd idea as to who had aroused the anger of the elephant, Jupiter, as well as to the ident.i.ty of the person who had stolen the egg from Teddy Tucker's trunk.

The Circus Boy, however, kept his own counsel.

He made a trip down to the lower deck and had a long conversation with Mr. Kennedy, the elephant trainer, while Teddy Tucker moped in his cabin, mourning over the loss of his egg.

The show reached Milroy shortly before dark that evening, after a most delightful trip down the river. The horse tents were unloaded and pitched on the circus lot and the stock stabled in them so the animals could get their rest and food.

Some of the show people strolled out through the little town, while others remained on board the boat and went to bed.

All hands slept aboard that night. Bright and early, on the following morning, the boats were unloaded and the tents pitched, the men working much better for their day on the river.

Everyone appeared to be in high good humor and the wisdom of Mr. Sparling's methods was apparent. The tents went up more quickly that morning than at any time that season.

Breakfast under the cook tent was a jolly meal. Teddy had nearly forgotten the loss of the ostrich egg, but Phil Forrest had not.

Phil, while not appearing to do so, was watching certain persons in the dressing tent, among them being Diaz, the Spanish clown.

During the dressing hour before the afternoon performance the clown had his trunk open to get out some costumes which were at the bottom, beneath the lower tray.

Phil's trunk, it will be remembered, was close by that of the clown's. The Circus Boy took advantage of the opportunity to peep into the open trunk while Diaz was rummaging over its contents. So absorbed did Phil become in his own investigation that he forgot for the moment that the owner of the trunk might resent such curiosity.

All at once Phil glanced down at the clown. He found the dark eyes of Diaz fixed upon him, and the lad flushed in spite of himself.

Diaz slowly rose to his feet. Thrusting his face close to that of the lad he peered into the boy's face.

”What you want?”