It is very likely that Victor Collins’ fastidious tastes would have caused him to sniff at the circus fare, but Dave had roughed it too long in the open to be over-particular. So he began to eat with a heartiness that increased the grin on the waiter’s face.

“Ah,” murmured Dave, a short time later, “depending upon one’s self is the real thing, after all.”

CHAPTER XII
THE NEW BARKER

“Yes, monsieur, I have, what you call it, voyaged much.” Randolpho, Senior, whose curiosity was too strong for him to resist, had taken a place by Dave Brandon’s side. “You have of the Cirque d’Hiver in Paree heard, no doubt, monsieur?”

Dave nodded. “Winter Circus, we say in English,” he replied.

“Yes. I have performed there before crowds enormous.”

“Do you like this country?” asked Dave.

Monsieur Randolpho’s agreeable voice was silent as he pondered over the question. Presently he said:

“Ah, it ees a great place—such wonderful peoples. Nozzing for them is too hard. You have never bark before, and yet—ah, you go?”

Dave had hastily arisen.