第18章

A RIVAL IN THE FIELD

Zoraya was left behind.She was sent to a hospital where she was destined to remain many weeks, before she would be able to be moved to her little home in Indiana.She never performed again.

In the meantime the Great Sparling Combined Shows had moved majestically along.They had left the United States and were touring Canada, playing in many of the quaint little French villages and larger towns, where the Circus Boys found much to interest and amuse them.

Teddy and Shivers had made a great hit in their "brother" clown act, which was daily added to and improved upon as the show worked its way along the Canadian border.

One day Phil, who had been downtown after the parade, where he went to read the papers when he got a chance, came back and sought out Mr.Sparling in the latter's private tent.

"Well, Phil," greeted the owner cordially, "what's on your mind?" "Perhaps a good deal, but possibly nothing of any consequence.Youwill have to decide that."

"What is it?" questioned Mr.Sparling sharply."Do we show in Corinto?""Yes; why?"

"I thought I had heard you mention that we were to do so." "Why do you ask that question?""I'll answer it by asking another," smiled the Circus Boy."When do we make that stand?"The showman consulted his route book.

"A week from next Tuesday," he said."Anything wrong about that?" "Yes.""What?"

"Nothing except that there is another show billed to play there the day before.""What?"

Mr.Sparling bent a keen gaze on Phil's face, to make sure the lad wasnot joking.

"Yes, the Sully Hippodrome Circus is billed there for Monday." "Where did you find that out?""I read it in a St.Catharines' paper down at the hotel this morning.I thought you would be interested in knowing of it.""Interested? Why, boy, it will kill our business.So Sully is cutting in on us, is he? I thought he was playing the eastern circuit.He threatened to get even with me.""Even?"

"Yes.Sully was once a partner in this show, but he proved himself so dishonest that I had to take legal measures to get him out.He got money from some source last season, and put a show of his own on the road.He has a twenty-five car show, I understand.Not such a small outfit at that.But I hear it is a graft show.""What's a graft show? I must confess that I never heard of that before.""A graft show, my boy, is a show that gets money in various ways.They frequently carry a gang of thieves and confidence men with them, who work among the spectators on the grounds before the show, robbing them and getting a commission on their earnings.""Is it possible that there are such dishonest people in the show business?" marveled the lad.

"Not only possible, but an actual fact.I am happy to say, however, that there are few shows that will tolerate anything of that sort.""I'm glad I did not have the misfortune to get with one of them," smiled Phil."Are any of the big shows graft shows?""None of them.But about this heading us off?" "Yes; what will you do about it?""We'll be there on Monday, too," decided the showman after a moment's reflection.

"On Monday?" "Yes."

"Then--then you intend to skip a date somewhere?" "We shall have to."Mr.Sparling was a man of resource and quick action.He made up his mind in a minute as to what course to follow.

"I'm going to detach you from the show for a few days, if you don't mind, Phil," decided Mr.Sparling.

"I am glad to serve you in any way that you think I can," answered the lad with a flash of surprise in his glance.