“If only I could get at the bottom of that affair.” murmured Leo as they walked along one of the city streets.
“Those ticket thieves are sure to be run down some day,” put in Carl, “and then your name will be cleared.”
“They can’t be run down any too quick for me.” answered Leo.
Since leaving the circus he had often thought of Barton Reeve, Natalie Sparks and his other friends. No communications had passed between them for the reason that none of those traveling with the circus knew where Leo was.
In Chalburgh, for such was the city’s name, Leo and Carl were lucky enough to strike an engagement with a fat men’s association. The association gave a picnic in a large grove, and the pair performed on one end of the dancing platform. This engagement brought in eight dollars more, and when they were paid off the head man of the committee asked if they intended to remain in the city long.
“That depends,” said Carl. “We’ll stay if we can find another opening.”
“I might be able to find you an engagement with another society,” said the fat man, who tipped the scales at three hundred and ten pounds. “I can let you know by to-morrow night, if you can wait that long.”
Leo and Carl consulted together, and agreed to remain in Chalburgh, and the fat man took down their hotel address.
So the time went by until the day came when the circus was to perform in the city. Long before daybreak the wagons arrived and also the canvas and ring men. Leo could not resist the temptation to take a walk down to the circus-grounds for a look at the familiar scene.
While he stood there somebody touched him on the shoulder. It was Barton Reeve.