The Circus Boys on the Flying Rings
CHAPTER XVIII A STARTLING DISCOVERY Phil's recovery was rapid, though four days passed before he was permitted to leave his bed. As soon as he was able to get downstairs and sit out on the front porch of the hotel he found himself an object of interest as well as curiosity. The story of his accident had been talked of until it had grown out of all proportion to the real facts in the case. The boys of the village hung over the porch rail and eyed him wonderingly and admiringly. It did not fall to their lot every day to get acquainted with a real circus boy. They asked him all manner of questions, which the lad answered gladly, for even though he had suffered a severe accident, he was not beyond enjoying the admiration of his fellows. "It must be great to be a circus boy," marveled one. "It is until you fall off and crack your head," laughed Phil. "It's not half so funny then." After returning to his room that day Phil pondered deeply over the accident. He could not understand it. "Nobody seems to know what really did happen," he mused. "Dr. Irvine says the wire broke. That doesn't seem possible." Off in the little dog tent of the owner of the show, Mr. James Sparling, on the day following the accident, was asking himself almost the same questions. He sent for Mr. Kennedy after having disposed of his early morning business. There was a scowl on the owner's face, but it had not been caused by the telegram which lay on the desk before him, informing him that Phil was not seriously hurt. That was a source of keen satisfaction to the showman, for he felt that he could not afford to lose the young circus boy. Teddy was so upset over it, however, that the boss had about made up his mind to let Phil's companion go back and join him. While the showman was thinking the matter over, Mr. Kennedy appeared at the opening of the dog tent. "Morning," he greeted, which was responded to by a muttered "Huh!" from James Sparling. "Come in. What are you standing out there for?" Kennedy was so used to this form of salutation that he paid no further attention to it than to obey the summons. He entered and stood waiting for his employer to speak. "I want you to tell me exactly what 93