A FIRST APPEARANCE
Andy pricked up his ears with a good deal of animation. The jubilant statement of the fellow called Murdock did not sound honest.
"I'm taking your word for it," spoke Daley.
He had drawn something from his pocket, evidently a roll of bills, for as he extended it Murdock said eagerly.
"Twenty dollars?"
"Yes. Tell me how you fixed it."
"Why," answered Murdock with a cruel laugh, "you was laid off as one of the Benares Brothers up at the show on account of drinking, wasn't you?"
Daley moodily nodded his head.
"They put on Thacher in your place. You and him are probably the only two men in the profession who can do the somersault trapeze act with old Benares. That puts you out of a job, for you're no good single."
"I guess that is right. Thacher takes the bread out of my mouth, sink him!"