"Sit down and tell me what has happened, Phil. I am sure you have made some sort of discovery."
"I have and I haven"t."
"What do you mean?"
"That I am deeper in the mire than ever."
"Tell me about it."
"While I have made no discoveries that will help us much, I have learned just enough to understand that there is a diabolical plot on foot."
"Against whom?"
"I am not sure, but I think it is against Teddy and myself."
"Is it possible? Who are the plotters?"
"That is the worst of it; I do not know. I wish I did.
I thought I had one of the men identified, but I find I am all wrong. I am more at sea than ever."
"Who did you think it was?"
"As long as I am mistaken, why should I accuse anyone?"
"You are right. Have you reason to believe it is someone connected with this show?"
"I am sure that at least one of the men is."
"Then there is more than one in this thing?"
"There are two men. At least I have seen two. There may be more for all I know."
"Now, tell me what it is all about. You haven"t said a word regarding this plot yet," urged the showman drawing his chair around the corner of his desk and leaning forward with his hands on his knees.
Phil told how he strolled off into the field adjoining the circus lot, and went on in detail to relate all that had occurred after that. As he proceeded with his story the face of James Sparling grew serious and then stern.
"I presume I should have stood my ground and given battle to them, if for no other reason than to find out who they were,"
concluded the lad, somewhat ruefully.
"Phil Forrest, you should have done nothing of the sort,"
answered Mr. Sparling sharply. "You take quite enough risk as it is. You think the plot now is to tamper with the big net?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is it possible that such scoundrels are traveling with the Sparling shows?"
"I wish I did not think so."
"Phil, it is not the man who was responsible for several accidents the first year you were with us, is it?" demanded the showman shrewdly, darting a sharp glance at Phil.
"No, sir," answered the boy flushing a little. "That man is no longer with the show."
"I thought so. Now I have him located."
"The--the man I saw tonight--you know him?" gasped Phil.
"No. I did not mean that. I refer to the fellow who nearly caused your death three years ago."
"Oh!"
"You had some trouble with Diaz a short time ago, did you not?"
Phil was surprised that the showman was aware of this.
"Yes."
"Where is Diaz tonight?" demanded the showman almost sternly.
"In his stateroom, or else out on deck."
"Are you sure?"
Phil nodded.
"What time did he return from the lot?"
"He was here when I went on deck. He came to the boat directly after the performance."
"You are sure of this?"
"I am."
"You are a very shrewd young man, sir," said Mr. Sparling, with a mirthless smile. "However, these guilty men must be found and punished. You think their first efforts will be directed toward the net?"
"Yes, according to what I overheard. I have an idea, however, that they will not do so at once, fearing they may have been recognized, or at any rate that their plans are known to someone else."
"Do you think they recognized you?"
"I do not. I did not speak. I was on the point of doing so, then checked myself."
"Right! You are one in a hundred. I will have a watch kept on the net, and an examination made of it before every performance."
Phil smiled faintly.
"I am not afraid for myself."
"No, that"s your greatest failing. You are not afraid of anything and you take very long chances. I hope you will be more cautious in the future. You must be careful, Phil, and you had better caution your partner, Teddy Tucker. Does he know of this?"
"No, but I intend to tell him. He is more interested in the possibility of recovering his egg than in any personal danger to himself or to me," said the Circus Boy with a short laugh.