Phil quietly washed the dirt from his face, and pulling on his street clothes over his ring costume, started to reenter the arena.
At that moment Mr. Sparling came hurrying in. The two met in the pad room.
"Phil, how did that accident happen?" demanded the showman.
"You saw it, did you not, Mr. Sparling?"
"Yes. But I was unable to understand how it occurred."
"That is exactly what is bothering me," answered the lad, with a peculiar smile that the owner of the show was not slow to catch.
"You suspect something?"
"I suspect I got a bump that I shan't forget soon," laughed the
Circus Boy. "It is a wonder I did not break my neck."
"You undoubtedly saved Dimples' life at the risk of your own. You are the pluckiest lad—no, I'll say the pluckiest man I have ever known."
"Don't make me blush, Mr. Sparling."