Many of the guy ropes holding the big top, had been cut while the performance was going on and most of the canvasmen and laborers were engaged in taking down and loading the menagerie outfit.
A wind storm was coming up, but fortunately it veered off before reaching Reno. The severed ropes were not discovered until after the show was over and the tent was being struck. Mr. Sparling had been quickly summoned. After a careful examination of the ropes he understood what had happened. Phil, too, had discovered one cut rope and the others, on his way from the dressing tent to the front, after finishing his performance.
But there was nothing now that required his looking up Mr. Sparling, in view of the fact that the canvas was already coming down. Yet after getting his usual night lunch in the town, the lad strolled over to the railroad yards intending to visit the manager as soon as the latter should have returned from the lot.
The two met just outside the owner's private car, a short time after the loading had been completed.
"Oh, I want to see you, Mr. Sparling, if you have the time."
"I've always time for that. I was in hopes I would get a chance to have a chat with you before we got started. Will you come in?"
"Yes, thank you."
Entering the private car Mr. Sparling took off his coat and threw himself into a chair in front of his roll-top desk.
"Phil, there's deviltry going on in this outfit again," he said fixing a stern eye on the little Circus Boy.
Phil nodded.