"That fellow is playing a sharp trick. He is trying to get me
away so he can get his men out ahead of mine. I will walk into
his trap. He knows I am the manager. I could see that by the
way he acted."

Phil stepped out and joined his rival.

"I believe you said you were the manager of that car, did you
not?" asked the rival.

"I am, though I do not recollect having said so."

"A kid like you manager of a car? I don't know what the show
business is coming to, with all due respect to you, young man."

"Oh, that's all right," answered the Circus Boy with a frank,
innocent smile. "I am just learning the business, you know."

"I thought so," nodded the rival. "My name's Tripp--Bob Tripp."

"You been in the business long?"

"Fifteen years, my boy. After you have been in it as long as I
have, you will know every crook and turn, every trick in the
whole show business," said the fellow proudly. "You are a
bright-faced young chap. I should like to have you on my car.
Don't want a job, do you?"

"No, thank you. I am very well satisfied where I am. I can