"What brought you here?" demanded Snap sharply.
"Oh, we knew we were being followed—-saw you from a distance—-and made up our mind to see who it was. I don't see why you can't leave us alone."
"We are not following you," said Giant, "And if you'll leave us alone we'll not bother you."
"But you have got to keep your distance," added Whopper. "No more underhanded work, like we had before. Understand?"
Ham paid no attention to the last words. He and his crony were looking at Tommy. Now they whispered together.
"Say, aren't you the kid that ran away from the circus?" demanded
Ham, turning to the small youth.
At the question Tommy looked surprised and then scared.
"Wha—-what do you know about me?" he stammered.
"Answer me," ordered Ham. "You ran away from Casso's Railroad
Shows, didn't you?"
"Don't tell him a thing, Tommy!" cried Snap quickly. "It is none of his business."