“I beg your pardon, gentlemen!” exclaimed the agitated2 manager. “I assure you that it is not our fault; you see, the young——”
“It’s all right, sir!” boomed Captain Bunderley.
Joe, with as little ceremony as though he was in the menagerie tent, drew up a chair, plumped himself down upon it and laid his cap across one knee. Then, having stared at the captain with solemn earnestness for a moment, blurted6 out:
[280]“Dave, I’ve shook Whiffin!”
“What! Left the show?” cried the historian. “You don’t mean it?”
“Yes; I sure have, Dave.”
“Well, this is a big surprise, all right,” quoth Tom.
“It isn’t to me,” giggled7 Victor. “I had an idea last night that Dave’s particular crony was up to something desperate.”
“I presume this is the boy you told me about?” broke in Captain Bunderley.
“Yes, sir. Permit me to formally introduce Mr. Joseph Rodgers, of Iowa,” laughed Victor.
“What made you leave the show?” asked the captain.
“Him!”
“I made you leave?” cried Dave. “How?”
“’Cause, when I meets a feller what’s got learnin’ like you, I couldn’t stan’ it no longer. I wants ter be somethin’.”
Captain Bunderley was interested.
“Joe, your desire to rise is commendable,” he exclaimed, heartily10. “Have you ever spoken to Mr. Whiffin about it?”
[281]“I begins to talk to ’im this mornin’, an’ he ups an’ gits riled ter beat the band. ‘I wish’t I’d never laid eyes on that fat feller,’ says he. ‘Brandon’s been puttin’ all them fool notions inter9 your head.’ ‘Look ’ere, Whiffin,’ says I, ‘don’t you never say nothin’ ag’in ’im; he’s the whitest chap I ever see.’”
“Then Whiffin hollers fer me ter git back ter work or he’d fetch me a good one on the ear. That makes me most bile over—him—Whiffin, talkin’ like that! So I skips right out.”
“How’d you get here—board a fast freight?” inquired Victor.
“I did not. I stepped inter a real car, with real winders an’ real seats, an’ I’ve got seventy-five cents left.”
“Goodness, what a risk—floating around in a real city with that much real money in your pocket!” said Victor.
Joe’s thoughts were on something else.
“Gee, I can most see Whiffin hollerin’ his way around the show an’ askin’ everybody if they’ve seen that young scamp, Joe! My, I’ll[282] bet he’s so mad he’s clean forgot that quarter he give to Dave the other night.”
“What do you expect to do in Milwaukee?” asked Captain Bunderley.
“Do!” echoed Joe, rather blankly. “I dunno!” Thoughtfully, he ran his fingers through his bushy hair. “I—I—kinder thought as how Dave could tell me.”
“Has Mr. Whiffin any claim on your services?”
“Nix; he certainly ain’t,” asserted Joe, with considerable emphasis.
“Is the circus coming here?”
“Yes, sir! Day after to-morrow.”
“Well, I’ll look after you till then.” Uncle Ralph beckoned14 to a waiter. “What will you have to eat, Joe?”
“Certainly! Why not? Order just what you please.”
Joe stared from one to another as though he feared that his ears were deceiving him. Then his eyes fell on the waiter, whose professional dignity was sadly shocked by the presence before him of such an uncouth17 specimen18.
[283]“Gimme a great big hunk o’ bread an’ cheese an’ a piece o’ real apple pie, with no skimpin’ o’ the apples, neither,” he said, “an’ a glass o’ water twic’t. Thankin’ you kindly19, mister; I won’t do nothin’ to that pile o’ grub when it comes.”
“And you may add to that order plenty of roast beef and potatoes,” added the captain. “I have an idea that our friend has a famous appetite.”
Joe Rodgers had never really lived until that afternoon. He seemed to be fairly lifted out of himself, and a side of life was revealed which he had never before dreamed could exist.
“Honest, Dave,” he declared emphatically, “I can’t never go back to Spudger’s.”
“We’ll see if anything can be done to help you,” said Dave, encouragingly. “But you ought not to have run away. Anyhow, fellows, I propose that we invite Joe to see the sights of Milwaukee from a seat in the motor car.”
Even Victor Collins made no objection. He was beginning to realize that character counts for more than appearance, and that the passport[284] to respectable society consists of something besides good clothes.
Presently, leaving Captain Bunderley in the reading room, the boys walked briskly out upon the street.
At the garage Joe became immensely interested in the automobile21.
“It’s the finest I ever see,” he cried, admiringly. “Looks most too good to use.”
“Climb in, Joe,” commanded Bob.
He sprang to his place in the driver’s seat, pushed the button on the dash, and, immediately, the thunderous din20 of the motor echoed from every side and corner of the big interior.
“You’ve got ter know somethin’ to be an engineer of one o’ these things,” exclaimed Joe. “Still, I wouldn’t be a bit skeered to try my hand at drivin’.”
“There is nothing like a motor car to chase dull care away,” said Dave, who was reclining at ease on the rear cushions. “Let’s see: what does Bryant say——?”
Many vehicles and pedestrians23 were about, and warning blasts of the horn were often sounded. But the boys, not being in any particular hurry, gave Chauffeur24 Somers an easy job, following whichever streets their fancy dictated25.
“This is rippin’!” cried Joe, enthusiastically. “Feels jist like gittin’ boosted along without nothin’ doin’ it.”
The car slowly rolled through the business section, giving them interesting glimpses of attractive stores and windows filled with all sorts of goods. They crossed and recrossed the Milwaukee River, and, finally, on one of the more quiet streets, were bowling26 steadily27 along when the actions of a certain policeman attracted Bob Somers’ attention. He was standing28 by the curb29 with his eyes eagerly fixed30 on the approaching car.
“Hey there,” came a loud command. “Stop!”
“Is he speaking to us?” inquired Bob, turning to his companions with a puzzled look. He glanced about, and, seeing no other vehicles near, answered his own question. “Yes, he certainly is.”
“Maybe it’s ’cause we haven’t got no cow-catcher,” said Joe, with a grin.
“Hey there—stop!”
The man in uniform was stepping out into the street, the significant movement of his arm indicating an authority not to be questioned.
“Ha, ha—somebody’s pinched—jugged!” cried Joe. “Is this the feller you want?” His finger dug sharply into Victor Collins’ ribs32. “I’ll help you tote him along.”
Bob Somers smilingly awaited an explanation.
The policeman, looking searchingly at each in turn, took from his pocket a memorandum34 book. Then, glancing over the pages, gave a grunt35 of approval.
This information, while interesting, did not enlighten the boys as to the meaning of his strange action.
[287]“Would you have any objection to telling us why we’ve been stopped?” drawled Dave, from the rear.
“I don’t think we ought to stand for anything like this,” growled37 Tom, bristling38 up in a very threatening fashion.
“Which one o’ ’em shall I chuck out o’ the car for yer?” inquired Joe. “You kin13 take any but the fat feller.”
The officer glanced at him and wagged his head knowingly.
“The police station is just around the corner, boys,” he answered, quietly. “I reckon the sergeant39 will tell you what it’s all about.”
“The idea! Just listen to that!” stormed Tom. “I’d demand an explanation right here, Bob Somers. Don’t let those spokes40 move even as much as half an inch.”
“If there’s any fightin’ to be done I’m right here to help you,” laughed Joe.
Dave Brandon smiled languidly.
“In spite of ourselves, we seem destined41 to have fame pushed upon us,” he exclaimed. “It looks as though something is rocking the pedestal.”
[288]“We are too polite not to accept such a pressing invitation,” grinned Bob Somers.
“All the same, I’ll bet we can sue somebody for this!” cried Victor. “My father’s best friend is a United States senator, and he——”
A series of crisp, vibrating notes from the motor drowned his voice. The car moved forward, and, always under the watchful42 eye of the law, as represented in the person of the man in uniform, chugged its way around the corner, to presently come to a stop before a building of a dark, unpleasantly grim appearance.
“We know where we’re going, and we’re on our way!” cried Dave. “All of us wanted in there, officer?”
“Oh, yes. We won’t steal your car,” grinned the policeman. “Kindly step out.”
They followed the officer up a broad flight of stone steps, pushed past a pair of swinging doors and entered a large square room. At one end two desks stood on a platform with an ornamental43 railing in front.
Several policemen lounging on a bench looked up with interest as the crowd marched across the floor. A large, stout44 man, with[289] iron gray hair and mustache sitting behind one of the desks glanced inquiringly at the officer.
“These are the boys mentioned in the telegram, sergeant,” explained the policeman. “Description of the one that’s wanted just fits.”
He waved his hand toward Joe Rodgers.
“Me—me?” cried Joe. Then an inkling of the true situation for the first time dawned upon him. “Oh, Dave, I’m ketched!” he exclaimed, almost pitifully. “Whiffin’s done it. I might have know’d he would! But I ain’t never goin’ back—perlice, or no perlice,” he added.
“Now I suppose you’ll have to get a hundred thousand dollars bail46, Rodgers,” said Victor. “Of course, this is one of the most important cases of the year.”
“Well, what’s he goin’ to do with me?” demanded Joe. “I’m goin’ ter stand up for me rights.”
“You must be detained until the arrival of the complainant”—the sergeant glanced at[290] a paper in his hand—“Peter Whiffin. You look like a respectable crowd of boys,” he added, taking a careful observation of the faces before him.
“I’ve never pinched a better lot,” agreed the policeman.
“Certainly!” answered the official.
In a short time Dave, his mouth at the transmitter, was explaining matters to Captain Bunderley.
“Says he’ll be over here within an hour,” he announced, hanging up the receiver. “No; he didn’t seem surprised, Bob. I guess the captain is too old to be surprised at anything.”
The crowd took seats on a bench, their lively conversation soon helping47 to cheer up the dejected Joe Rodgers. But even then he found the long wait trying to his nerves.
At length Uncle Ralph tramped noisily into the room.
“It just shows how careful one must be in forming new acquaintances, boys,” he chuckled. “I’ve only known you for a few days—yet[291] here I find myself in a police station, and all on your account. What’s to be done, sergeant, with such a reckless lot?”
“That’s a hard one to answer,” grinned the official.
“Well, now, let’s get right down to business. When will Mr. Whiffin be here? I’ve become interested in this boy, sergeant, and I don’t propose to let all the talking be on one side.”
“By Jingo, if you’ll only stand up for me, mister, I’ll never forgit it!” cried Joe.
“I hope you’re going to make a base hit, Rodgers,” laughed Tom.
“Mr. Whiffin will be here to-morrow morning,” explained the sergeant. “Until then the boy will have to remain with us.”
“And I’ll be here, too, with this strong-arm squad,” laughed the captain, “ready to face the manager of Spudger’s Peerless show.”
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1
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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5
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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14
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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revolve
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| vi.(使)旋转；循环出现 | |
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pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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25
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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busted
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| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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spokes
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| n.（车轮的）辐条( spoke的名词复数 )；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 | |
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41
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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45
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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46
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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47
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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