“Where’d you get this mule?” asked Neale quickly, looking at the stranger.
“Oh, I’ve had him a good while. He’s one of a team, but I sold my boat and—”
“This mule never towed a boat!” said the boy quickly.
“What makes you say that?” demanded the man in an angry voice.
“Because I know,” went on Neale. “This is a trick mule, and, unless I’m greatly mistaken, he used to be in my uncle’s circus!”
[CHAPTER XIV—AT THE CIRCUS]
All eyes were turned on Neale O’Neil as he said this, and it would be difficult to say who was the more astonished. As for the Corner House girls, they simply stared at their friend. Hank Dayton looked surprised, and then he glanced from the mule in question to the man who had offered to dispose of the animal. Mr. Howbridge looked very much interested. As for the strange tramp—for that is what he was—he seemed very angry.
“What do you mean?” he cried. “This mule isn’t any trick mule!”
“Oh, isn’t he?” asked Neale quietly. “And I suppose he never was in a circus, either?”
“Of course not!” declared the man. “Who are you, anyhow, and what do you mean by talking that way?”