"Eh?" uttered Thacher in a puzzled way. "What's up?"
"Do you know a man named Murdock?"
"Ring man, fired last week. Yes. What of it?"
"Do you know a man named Daley?"
"Fired, too—for drinking. I took his place on this team."
"They hate you. They have plotted to disable you. The trapeze yonder—Murdock has cut the ropes, secured the bar with thread, and the slightest touch will send a performer to the ring with broken limbs."
"What! Are you crazy or fooling? Doped the rigging? Why, that's murder, kid!"
"They have done it just the same. Listen."
Faster than he had ever talked before Andy told of the conversation he had overheard in the old hay barn. He hurriedly recited his failure in reaching the manager. He told of his rapid ascent of the top canvas. The present denouement had resulted.
Under his face rouge Thacher showed the shock of vivid emotions. The murmur below was increasing. The manager was looking up impatiently.