The crowd in front gave way as the police charged in; and, as they did so, the Circus Boy pushed his way to the front of his own line.
A sergeant made for him with upraised club, but Phil did not flinch.
"Wait a minute, officer!" he cautioned.
"I arrest you for disturbing the peace!" was the stern reply.
"You will do nothing of the sort, sir. We have not broken the peace. We are within our rights, protecting our own property and the property of this gentleman," pointing to the proprietor of the store.
"Arrest them! They are stealing my property!" came the cry from the rival manager.
"I guess you had better both come over to the police station, and we will let the captain settle this," decided the sergeant.
"Wait!" commanded the rival. "I have here an injunction commanding this fellow to stop work. I have bought the right to banner this location, and he has stepped in and taken it away from me."
"Is this right?" demanded the sergeant, appealing to the storekeeper, whom he knew well.
"No, it's all wrong. That man has bought nothing. He left his money on my counter after I had sold my wall to this young man here."