"Clever!"
Amid deafening applause, old Benares and Thacher retired from the sawdust ring, bowing profusely with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction.
Between them, hands joined in the group of three, Andy Wildwood imitated their graceful acknowledgment of the plaudits of the vast concourse in the great metropolitan amphitheatre.
"Wildwood," declared Thacher, as they backed towards the performers' room, "you've made a hit."
"It is so!" cried old Benares, with sparkling eyes. "We are a three now—The Three Benares Brothers."
Andy was dizzy with exultation and delight. It was the first night of the Biggest Show on Earth in New York City.
For a week he had been in training for the fantastic trapeze act which had won thunders of approbation.
The Benares Brothers had appeared in the amphitheatre dome on a double trapeze.
After several clever specialties, the ringmaster suddenly stepped forward. He lifted his hand. The orchestra stopped playing.
Raising a pistol, the ringmaster directed it aloft. Bang! Crash! went the orchestra, and from a box suspended over the trapezes the bottom suddenly dropped out.