The little girl did not answer, for just then a shout went up from the crowd. Eva whirled around to glance toward a truck where the wild animals had been loaded. The Brownies could see men, women and children scattering in all directions.
“What has happened?” gasped Mrs. Williams. She and Miss Gordon quickly drew the Brownies close together.
“The tiger is out of his cage!” exclaimed Eva Leitsall. “One of the attendants must have left it unfastened.”
And then the circus girl did a rather brave thing. Holding up both arms, she faced the terrified crowd.
“Be quiet, everyone!” she ordered. “The tiger will not attack unless you excite him! The animal men will get him back in his cage!”
CHAPTER 4
A Missing Billfold
BEHOLDING the courage of the little circus girl, the crowd became quiet and no longer pushed.
Quickly, circus workmen and animal trainers formed a circle about the tiger. One of the men, whose name was Jim Carsdale, approached closer than the others.
He crept cautiously toward the big cat, talking to him as if to a pet.