CHAPTER VIII
A RIVAL IN THE FIELD
Zoraya was left behind. She was sent to a hospital where she wasdestined to remain many weeks, before she would be able to bemoved to her little home in Indiana. She never performed again.
In the meantime the Great Sparling Combined Shows had movedmajestically along. They had left the United States and weretouring Canada, playing in many of the quaint little Frenchvillages and larger towns, where the Circus Boys found much tointerest and amuse them.
Teddy and Shivers had made a great hit in their "brother" clownact, which was daily added to and improved upon as the showworked its way along the Canadian border.
One day Phil, who had been downtown after the parade, where hewent to read the papers when he got a chance, came back andsought out Mr. Sparling in the latter's private tent.
"Well, Phil," greeted the owner cordially, "what's on your mind?"
"Perhaps a good deal, but possibly nothing of any consequence.You will have to decide that."
"What is it?" questioned Mr. Sparling sharply.
"Do we show in Corinto?"
"Yes; why?"
"I thought I had heard you mention that we were to do so."
"Why do you ask that question?"
"I'll answer it by asking another," smiled the Circus Boy."When do we make that stand?"
The showman consulted his route book.
"A week from next Tuesday," he said. "Anything wrongabout that?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Nothing except that there is another show billed to play therethe day before."
"What?"
Mr. Sparling bent a keen gaze on Phil's face, to make sure thelad was not joking.
"Yes, the Sully Hippodrome Circus is billed there for Monday."
"Where did you find that out?"
"I read it in a St. Catharines' paper down at the hotelthis morning. I thought you would be interested in knowingof it."
"Interested? Why, boy, it will kill our business. So Sullyis cutting in on us, is he? I thought he was playing theeastern circuit. He threatened to get even with me."
"Even?"
"Yes. Sully was once a partner in this show, but he provedhimself so dishonest that I had to take legal measures to gethim out. He got money from some source last season, and puta show of his own on the road. He has a twenty-five carshow, I understand. Not such a small outfit at that. But Ihear it is a graft show."
"What's a graft show? I must confess that I never heard ofthat before."
"A graft show, my boy, is a show that gets money in various ways.They frequently carry a gang of thieves and confidence men withthem, who work among the spectators on the grounds before theshow, robbing them and getting a commission on their earnings."
"Is it possible that there are such dishonest people in theshow business?" marveled the lad.
"Not only possible, but an actual fact. I am happy to say,however, that there are few shows that will tolerate anythingof that sort."
"I'm glad I did not have the misfortune to get with one of them,"smiled Phil. "Are any of the big shows graft shows?"
"None of them. But about this heading us off?"
"Yes; what will you do about it?"
"We'll be there on Monday, too," decided the showman after amoment's reflection.
"On Monday?"
"Yes."
"Then--then you intend to skip a date somewhere?"
"We shall have to."
Mr. Sparling was a man of resource and quick action. He made uphis mind in a minute as to what course to follow.
"I'm going to detach you from the show for a few days, if youdon't mind, Phil," decided Mr. Sparling.
"I am glad to serve you in any way that you think I can,"answered the lad with a flash of surprise in his glance.
"I know that. What I want you to do is to join that showright away."
"Join them?"
"I do not mean that exactly. I want you to go to the town wherethey are playing tomorrow, I will get the name of the town beforethe day is over. Follow the show right along from town to townuntil next Monday, paying your way when you go in and keepingyour eyes open for their game. You, with your shrewdness, oughtto have no difficulty in getting sufficient evidence to help mecarry out my plans."
"What sort of evidence do you wish me to get?"
"Make a mental note of everything you see that is not regular,and if they have a route card get a copy of that. It's perfectlyregular, young man," hastened the showman, noting Phil's lookof disapproval. "You are not doing anything improper. I do notask you to pry into their private affairs. We have a right,however, to find out if we can, what their plans are withrelation to ourselves. If they are playing Corinto the daybefore we do, just by mere chance, then I shall make no furtherobjections, but if they are planning to move along ahead of usand kill our business--well, that's a different matter."
"I see," nodded Phil. "Who will take my place in the ringwork here?"
"We will get along without it, that's all. It doesn't matter somuch in these small towns. I don't care if you do not join outuntil we get to Niagara Falls. We'll be playing in the realcountry then."
"And working south?"
"Yes. As soon as the weather gets cooler we will head for thesouth and stay there until the close of the season. They aregoing to have a big cotton crop in the south this fall, and therewill be lots of money lying around loose to be picked up by ashow like ours."
"When do you want me to start?" asked Phil.
"Just as soon as I can get an answer to a telegram that I'mgoing to send now. You will be off sometime this afternoon.But perhaps you can go on in your acts--no, I guess you hadbetter not. You'll be missed at night if you do."
"Yes; that's so."
"I shall have some further directions for you. So long, forthe present."
Phil turned away thoughtfully. Shortly after the afternoonperformance Mr. Sparling sent for Phil again, the lad havingin the meantime packed a few necessary articles in his bagpreparatory to the journey that lay before him.
"The other show will be at St. Catharines tomorrow.Are you ready?"
"Yes, sir. What time can I get away?"
"Five o'clock. You will be there in the morning in time tosee them set the tents. Let me warn you that Sully is uglyand unscrupulous. If he were to know what you are there forit might get you into a mix-up, so be careful."
"I'll be careful. Have you any further instructions?"
"I want to give you some money. You can't travel without money."
"I have plenty," answered Phil. "I will keep my expense accountand turn it in to you when I get back. Where do you wish me tojoin you?"
"Corinto, unless you think best to come back in the meantime.That is, if you get sufficient information. You know what I wantwithout my going into details, don't you?"
"I think so."
"Now, look out for yourself."
"I'll try to."
"You have not mentioned to anyone what you are going to do,of course?"
"Certainly not. Not even to Teddy. Perhaps if you will, youmight make the explanation to him," suggested Phil.
"Yes; I'll do that as soon as you have gotten away. He'll beraising the roof off the big top when he misses you."
Phil extended his hand to his employer, then turned and hurriedfrom the tent. First, the boy proceeded to the sleeping car inwhich he berthed, for his bag. Securing this he had just time toreach the station before the five o'clock train rumbled in.
The lad boarded a sleeping car and settled himself for thelong ride before him, passing the time by reading the currentmagazines with which he provided himself when the train agentcame through. Late in the evening the lad turned in. Riding ina sleeping car was no novelty to him, and he dropped asleepalmost instantly, not to awaken again until the porter shook himgently by the shoulder.
"What is it?" questioned Phil, starting up.
"St.
Catharines."
The lad pulled the curtains of his berth aside. Day was justbreaking as he peered out.
"There they are," he muttered, catching sight of a switchfull of gaudily painted cars bearing the name of the SullyHippodrome Circus. "They have just got in," he decided fromcertain familiar signs of which he took quick mental note."Looks like a cheap outfit at that. But you never can tell."
Phil Forrest dressed himself quickly and grasping his bag hurriedfrom the car, anxious to be at his task, which, to tell thetruth, he approached with keen zest. He was beginning to enterinto the spirit of the work to which he had been assigned, andwhich was to provide him with much more excitement than he atthat moment dreamed.
The Circus Boys in Dixie Land; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South Page 10