"Do you know anything about this Robert Rudd?" asked the stranger, thoughtfully. "Has he got parents living?"
"Not as I know of."
"How long has he been with the circus?"
"He has been riding ever since he was a small kid."
"Does he ride well?"
"Oh yes, he'll do," said Carden, with faint praise.
"I should think he would have been afraid to provoke you—a strong, stout man like you," said the stranger meditatively, surveying the strong frame and muscular arms of the ex-canvas man.
"He'll repent it yet," flamed up Carden, his resentment fired by these artful words. "I don't mean to have any whipper-snapper like him get the better of me."
"I can't say you are wrong, my friend, though I know nothing of the matter further than you have told me. What are your plans? When were you discharged?"
"Day before yesterday. Coleman told me to leave town, but I shan't. I shall hang round here till I see some way of gettin' even with that young rascal."