Leo smiled. He had heard that Porler was a very conceited man who had been in the business for a dozen years or more.
Once he had wanted to become Professor Ricardo’s partner, but the professor refused to go into the deal.
This made Porler angry with the professor and also with the circus folks.
When Leo arrived at the circus lot he found that the two balloons had been located side by side.
Porler was to exhibit at one o’clock, while Leo usually went up an hour later.
The young gymnast cautioned Larry to be on guard, so that no harm should come to his outfit, and he likewise cautioned his men to keep away from Porler’s inclosure and thus avoid trouble.
The backs of the two tents used by Leo and Porler were almost together, and while Leo was in his own, looking over his things, he heard quarreling in the tent beyond.
“Oh, don’t ask me to do that, Mr. Porler!” pleaded a boyish voice. “Anything but that!”
“You must do it, Mart Keene!” responded the gruff voice of the balloonist.
“I can’t—really I can’t!” pleaded the boyish voice again.