This left Phil free to do pretty much as he chose, but he was almost as closely confined as if he were in the owner's private car, so far as getting away was concerned. But the boy's mind was working actively.
As he sat on the back of the broad-backed ring horse that afternoon, his eyes were looking over the tent questioningly.
"I believe I can do it," mused Phil. "If conditions are the same tonight that they are this afternoon I am going to try it."
Just then the band struck up and the lad rose gracefully to his feet ready to go through his act for the edification of the great audience.
Phil was making more money than ever before in his circus career, and he now had only one act instead of several. But he cared little for this. It was merely a means to an end.
At night he accompanied Sully to the lot as usual. Phil might have appealed to a policeman, or to one of the many people about him. It will be remembered, however, that he had given his word that he would do nothing of the sort, and Phil Forrest was not the boy to break his word after once having given it. He proposed to get away by his own efforts or else wait until rescued by the Sparling show.
As had been the case with the afternoon show Sully remained over by the bandstand while Phil went through his act.
"I'll finish my performance," decided the lad. "I want to give him his money's worth whether he deserves such treatment or not, and then I'll make my try. I can do it, I believe."
Nothing of what was passing in the mind of the Circus Boy, of course, was suspected by the owner of the show. Phil had just rounded off his act by a backward somersault and the attendant had slipped the bridle over the head of the ring horse preparatory to leading the animal back to the paddock and horse tent.
"You run along. I will ride him back," directed Phil innocently.