"So hungry that, if my collar were loose, it would be falling down over my feet," grinned the lad.
CHAPTER XXI
WHEN THE CRASH CAME
There was rejoicing on the part of his fellows, and relief in the heart of Mr. Sparling when, along toward noon next day, Phil Forrest came strolling on the circus lot at St. Joseph.
His friends, the farmers, had not only given him food and lodging, but had advanced him enough money for his fare through to join the show. His first duty was to get some money from Mr. Sparling and send it back to his benefactors.
This done, Phil repaired to the owner's tent where he knew Mr.
Sparling was anxiously waiting to hear what had happened to him.
Phil went over the circumstances in detail, while Mr. Sparling listened gravely at first, then with rising color as his anger increased.
"It's Red Larry!" decided Mr. Sparling, with an emphasizing blow of his fist on the desk before him.
"After I thought the matter over that was what I decided—I mean that was the decision I came to."
"Right. Another season I'll have an officer with this show.
That's the only way we can protect ourselves."