That day a letter came to Phil from The Greatest Show on Earth.
After reading it, Phil hastened to his employer.
"I have a letter offering us both a contract with The Greatest for next season. What do you think of that, Mr. Sparling?" asked Phil with sparkling eyes.
Mr. Sparling did not appear to be surprised.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?"
"Refuse it, of course. I prefer to stay with you."
"And I prefer to have you."
"I thought you would."
"But I shall ask you to accept; in fact, I wish you to do so.
You will find the experience valuable. When you finish your season with the big show I shall have something of great importance to communicate to you, if you wish to return to us."
"Wish to?"
"Yes; so wire on your acceptance right away, my boy, then you and I will have a long talk."
So it was left. Phil went on with the show during the remaining four weeks, then the boys turned their faces homeward, where they planned to put in a busy winter practicing and studying.
Despite their reluctance to leave Mr. Sparling for a season, they were looking forward to the coming Spring when they were to join the other show. Their experiences there will be related in a following volume, ent.i.tled, "THE CIRCUS BOYS AT THE TOP; Or, Bossing the Greatest Show of All."