Phil called on Mrs.Sparling after breakfast, receiving from the showman's wife a most hospitable welcome.She asked him all about how he had spent the winter, and seemed particularly interested in Mrs.Cahill, who was now the legal guardian of both the boys.Mrs.Sparling already had a letter in her pocket, with the check for one hundred dollars which the showman had drawn for Phil.It was going to Mrs.Cahill to be deposited to the lad's credit, but he would know nothing of this until the close of the season.After he had gone home he would find himself a hundred dollars richer than he thought.
His call finished, Phil went out and rejoined Teddy.Together they started back toward the dressing tent to set their trunks in order and get out such of their costumes as they would need that afternoon and evening.Then again, the dressing tent was really the most attractive part of the show to all the performers.It was here that they talked of their work andlife, occasionally practiced new acts of a minor character, and indulged in pranks like a lot of schoolboys at recess time.
As they were passing down along the outside of the big top, Phil noticed several laborers belonging to the show sitting against the side wall sunning themselves.He observed that one of the men was eyeing Teddy and himself with rather more than ordinary interest.
Phil did not give it a second thought, however, until suddenly Teddy gave his arm a violent pinch.
"What is it?"
"See those fellows sitting there?" "Yes.What of it?""One of them is the fellow who ducked me under the water tank back at Germantown.""You don't say?Which one?"