"It is very kind of you, Mr.Sparling," said Phil."We were just wondering what we should do for breakfast, and Teddy, as he has just told you, was thinking of eating the ostrich egg.""Raw?"
"I presume so," replied Phil, with a short laugh.
"It would make a fellow strong," declared Teddy in defense of his egg."I agree with you, my boy.I ate a piece of one once, and it was quitethe strongest thing I ever tackled."
"That's a joke.Ha, ha!" replied Teddy, with serious face.
The lads were, by this time, on such terms of intimacy with their employer that they felt free to talk with him as they would to each other.
At least Phil did, and in all probability Tucker would have done so at any rate.
"Do we unload tonight, Mr.Sparling?" questioned Phil.
"No, I think not.Tomorrow morning will be time enough.I never like to do any more work on Sunday than is absolutely necessary."Phil nodded his approval.
"I believe in observing the day, and besides, our people need the rest and the relaxation.That reminds me of what I wanted to say.You did a very clever piece of work last night, both of you."Teddy glanced up in surprise.
"Yes; I got a roughhouse from the donkey and the elephant.I'm a sort of a good thing all around.When the fool donkey gets through wiping up a whole county with me, the elephant takes a hand--a trunk, I mean--and lands me high and dry on the roof of the 'Fat Marie.'""You mean the deck," corrected Phil.
"I don't know what you call it, but it was hard enough when I struck it.Next time I'm going to have a net spread to catch me.I'll bet I would have made a hit in the ring with that donkey wrestling bout.I guess I will try it on some of these times, providing I can get the donkey to work the way he did last night.""As I said before, there is something I want to ask you, Phil," repeated the showman.
"Yes, sir."
"Did it not strike you that Jupiter acted very peculiarly last night?" "Yes.I did not see the first of it, but I saw enough.""What did you think about it?" "I did not know what to think."The showman shot a keen glance at the Circus Boy's thoughtful, serious face.
"What do you think today?"
"That it was perfectly natural for Jupiter to balk going across the gangplank.""How about him having hurled Teddy to the deck of the 'Fat Marie'?" "That is different.""Did it arouse any suspicions in your mind, my boy?" Phil reflected for a moment, toying absently with his fork.
"Candidly, it did, Mr.Sparling.It struck me as peculiar at the time, and, as I thought it over, I became more and more convinced that there was some reason for Jupiter's action beyond what we saw."The showman nodded, as if Phil's suggestion agreed with his own ideas.
"What do you think happened?" he asked."What do you think?""I will confess that I don't know, Phil.You had some reason for driving everyone away from the bulls there on the dock, did you not?""Yes, I did not want anyone to bother them while we were trying to get them on board.""I understand," said Mr.Sparling, with a nod.
"Did you notice who was there on the dock at the time, Mr.Sparling?" "No, not particularly.""Was it some of the show people?"
"I am unable to say.I saw you drive two men off in particular, but I did not look at them closely.Did you know them?""Perhaps.They got away rather too quickly for me to make sure." "Who do you think they were?"Phil did not answer at once."Come, who were they, Phil?" "I don't know, Mr.Sparling.""I did not mean it exactly that way.You think you recognized them, and as I said before, I want to know who you think the men were?""I would rather not say, Mr.Sparling," answered the Circus Boy, looking his employer squarely in the eye.
"It is your duty to tell me."
"Not unless I am sure.It would be unjust to do so, and I know you would not wish to force me to be unjust.""You are a queer boy, Phil Forrest," said the showman, gazing at the lad intently.
"I wish I knew who I thought they were, if they had anything to dowith my aerial flight last night," growled Teddy."They would have reason to think a Kansas cyclone had struck them."No one paid any attention to Teddy's remark.
"I will tell you what I think, however, Mr.Sparling,"continued Phil."That's what I am trying to get you to do.""I think some person with evil intent did something to Jupiter to anger him, thus causing him to turn on Teddy.And it is my opinion that if you will examine the animal you will find the evidences on the animal himself," declared the Circus Boy boldly.
Mr.Sparling uttered an angry exclamation.
Teddy, who had tilted back in his chair as he listened to the conversation, went crashing to the floor, overturning table, dishes and all.
That broke up the conference of the morning.
