EGG, EGG, WHO'S GOT THE EGG?
"I've lost my egg!I've lost my egg!"
Teddy Tucker's shrill voice was heard from one end to the other of the "Fat Marie." An hour had elapsed since his mishap in Mr.Sparling's cabin, during which time the lads had been sitting on the after deck of the boat.
Phil had been very thoughtful.Perhaps he had not done right in keeping his real suspicions from Mr.Sparling.Yet he was firm in his purpose not to say who he thought the men were.He was not at all certain, in his own mind, that his eyes had not deceived him.
There could be no doubt, however, that some person or persons had pricked Jupiter on a tender part of his anatomy just as Teddy Tucker was patting the trunk of the great beast.
Teddy had gone to his cabin for a moment, and no sooner had he opened the door than he discovered that all was not as it should be there.
"What's this?What's all this fuss about?" questioned Phil."My egg!My egg!""What about your egg?" "It's gone, it's gone!" "Gone?""Yes, yes."
"But I thought you locked it in your trunk?" "That's what I did.""Then how can it be gone?"
"It is, I tell you.Come and see, if you don't believe me.""Of course I believe you, but I do not see how it would be possible for your egg to be taken when it was locked in your trunk," objected Phil.
Teddy grasped his companion by the arm and rushed him to the cabin."There, look!" exclaimed Teddy, pushing Phil into the room.
Teddy's trunk was open, most of its contents lying in a confused heap on the cabin floor.
Phil's face grew serious.
"Now, let's understand this.Was your trunk in that condition when you came in here a little while ago?""Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, some of the stuff was sticking out, but the cover was down." "The trunk was unlocked?""Sure it was."
"You are positive that you locked it?" "I know it was locked.""Is anything missing--have you looked to make sure?" "I tell you my egg has been taken.""I know.Has anything else been taken?" "I was so excited that I didn't look." "Then, do so now."Teddy dropped down beside his trunk, and began going over his belongings, most of which were lying heaped on the floor.He examined everything closely.
"How about it?"
"I--I guess it is all here--but my egg is not, Phil." "So I heard you say before.""Where is it--where is it?"
"How do you suppose I know?You are lucky that nothing else was taken.Is the lock broken?""No.Somebody had a key."
"Almost any key made for an ordinary trunk will fit these steamer trunks." Phil proved this by selecting and trying three keys on his own key ring, each of which locked and unlooked Teddy's steamer trunk with ease.
"I'll bet you took my egg for a joke."
"Teddy Tucker, how can you say so," demanded Phil indignantly."Did I ever do a thing like that?""No, I guess you didn't," admitted the boy."But it's gone.""It is evident that we have a thief on board.Mr.Sparling must beinformed of this at once," decided Phil firmly."You remain here and I will go and fetch him."In a few moments the Circus Boy returned with Mr.Sparling.The showman made a careful examination of the room and the trunk on his own account.His face was flushed and angry.
He went over the same ground with his questions that Phil already had done.
"Do you suspect anyone, Phil?"
"I do not.Whom should I suspect? Nothing like this has ever happened in the Sparling show since I have been connected with it.""You are right.It won't be healthful for the man who is responsible for this, if I catch him," growled the showman."Somebody must be unusually fond of ostrich eggs to go to this length for one.If anyone in this show chances to dine on ostrich egg in the next twenty-four hours we shall know whom to accuse of the theft.""I do not think you will get the opportunity," said Phil, with a peculiar smile.
"What do you mean by that remark?"
"That it was not taken because the thief wanted to eat it.He would not be foolish enough to do that.""Then why?"
"Probably to get even with Teddy." Mr.Sparling eyed him sternly.
"You mean somebody had a grudge against Teddy?" Phil nodded.
"Who?"
"I do not know."
"Teddy, who is it in this show who has a grudge against you?" Teddy pondered.
"I don't know of anybody unless it's January," he made solemn reply."The fool donkey?Bah!""I guess the donkey did not unlock your trunk and steal your egg, Teddy," answered Phil, a half smile curling his lips.
"I am not going to ask you again whom you suspect.I take it forgranted that you will keep your eyes open from now on." "I certainly shall, Mr.Sparling.""If you are unable to find out who is responsible for certain things I am sure there is no use in my trying to do so.""I do not know about that, Sir.I shall try.If I find out anything worthwhile I shall come to you and tell you.""I shall expect you to do so.And, Teddy!" "Yes, sir.""You are to say nothing of this occurrence to anyone on the boat.Do not mention that your precious egg has been lost or stolen, nor appear as if anything out of the ordinary had occurred."Teddy nodded his understanding.
Mr.Sparling understood his boys better than they knew.He was confident that Phil Forrest had a shrewd idea as to who had aroused the anger of the elephant, Jupiter, as well as to the identity of the person who had stolen the egg from Teddy Tucker's trunk.
The Circus Boy, however, kept his own counsel.
He made a trip down to the lower deck and had a long conversation with Mr.Kennedy, the elephant trainer, while Teddy Tucker moped in his cabin, mourning over the loss of his egg.
The show reached Milroy shortly before dark that evening, after a most delightful trip down the river.The horse tents were unloaded and pitched on the circus lot and the stock stabled in them so the animals could get their rest and food.
