The two ran down the corridor, Mr. Sparling heading for the forwardend, Phil toward the stern.
"There he goes! I see him!" shouted the showman as a figure leapedout to the deck, slamming the door. "We have him now!"Phil rushed out at the stern and started to run along the starboard sideof the boat. As he emerged he caught sight of a figure running towardhim, and behind the figure, Mr. Sparling, coming along the deck in greatstrides.
"Stop! We've got you!" shouted the showman.
Phil spread out his arms as the fleeing one drew near him, then threwthem about the fellow, holding him in a firm grip.
"I've got him, Mr. Sparling!""Leggo of me! What's the matter with you? Anybody would thinkthis was a high school initiation.""Teddy," groaned Phil.
"What's that?" demanded the showman jerking Phil and his prisonerover to an open window through which a faint light was showing.
"It is Teddy Tucker, sir," said Phil releasing his hold.
"What does this mean, sir?" demanded the showman in a stern voice.
"That's what I want to know. You fellows chase me around the boatas if I were some kind of a football. It's a wonder one of you didn't kickme. Lucky for you that you didn't, too, I can tell you.""Teddy, come to my cabin at once. Phil, bring him along, will you?""Yes," answered Phil Forrest. Phil was troubled. He could notbelieve it possible that Teddy was guilty of eavesdropping, and yet theevidence seemed to point strongly in that direction. Taking firm hold ofhis companion's arm he led him along toward Mr. Sparling's cabin.
"What's all this row about?" growled Teddy.
"That is what I hope you will be able to explain to Mr. Sparling'ssatisfaction," replied Phil. "However, wait till we get to his cabin."Phil led Teddy to the door, thrust him in, then followed, closing andlocking the door.
"Perhaps we had better close that window this time, sir.""Yes."Mr. Sparling drew up and locked the window.
"Sit down!" he commanded, eyeing Teddy keenly.
Teddy sat down dutifully and was about to place his feet on theshowman's desk when Phil nudged him.
"Now, sir, what does this mean?""What does what mean? I never was any good at guessing riddles.""What do you mean by eavesdropping at my cabin window?""Oh, was that your window?""It was and it is. And unless you can offer a satisfactory explanation,something will have to be done. That is one of the things that I shall nottolerate. I can scarcely believe you guilty of such a disgraceful act.
Unfortunately, you have admitted it.""Admitted what?""That you were listening at my window.""I never said anything of the sort.""No, not in so many words; but when I asked you what you meant bydoing so, you answered, 'Oh, was that your window?'""Certainly I said it.""Then will you kindly explain why?""I wasn't listening at your window. I wasn't within half a block--halfa boat, I mean--of it. What do you think I am?""Well, Teddy, for a minute I thought you had been guilty of aninexcusable act but upon second thought I begin to understand that it isimpossible. There is some misunderstanding here."Phil looked relieved, but Teddy was gazing at the showman with half-closed eyes.
"While Phil and myself were holding a confidential conversation here,someone was listening to us under that window. All at once the blind fellwith a crash--""And so did the other fellow," interrupted Teddy, his eyes lighting upmischievously.
"Phil looked out quickly. He thought he saw someone dodging intothe entrance aft, and at the same time he was sure someone was doing thesame thing forward.""I was the fellow who dodged in the forward entrance. Then youfellows started a sprinting match with me.""Why did you run?""Oh, I suppose I might as well tell you all about it.""Yes, if we are to make any headway it will be best to let you tell yourstory in your own way," answered Mr. Sparling with a grim smile.
"I was halfway between here and the pilot house, sitting down on thedeck, leaning against the side of the deck-house. I had just gone tosleep, at least I think I had, when I woke up suddenly. I saw somebodydown this way peeping in at a window. I became curious. I wonderedif he was the fellow who stole my egg, so I got up to investigate. Justthen he saw me.""Well, what happened?""He was standing on a box. The box tipped over or he jumped off, Idon't know which. I thought he was chasing me, and I ran.""Afraid, eh?" jeered Phil.
"No, I wasn't afraid. I just ran because I needed the exercise; that'sall. Do you think he really had my egg?""Who was the man, Teddy?""How do I know?""You saw him. Could you not--did you not recognize him?""No, it was too dark. I didn't wait long after I first discovered him,you know. I thought maybe it was that fellow Cummings, laying for me.
I wish January had finished him while he had the chance.""You noticed nothing familiar about him?""Yes, I did.""What?""He looked like some kind of a man," answered Teddy solemnly.
"Oh, fudge!""You say he was standing on a box?""Something of the sort."Mr. Sparling went out, leaving the boys alone for a few minutes.
When he returned he brought with him a small square box which heexamined very carefully.
"Do you recognize it?" asked Phil.
"Yes, it is one in which the candy butcher received some goods. Itmight have been picked up by anyone. I will find out where he left it.
This may give us some slight clue. It is quite evident, boys, that we haveamong us one or more dangerous men. Teddy, I offer you my humbleapology for having suspected you for a moment. The thought wasunworthy.""Don't mention it," answered the Circus Boy airily.
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |