knew why there was no need for hurry. Bob, in the meantime, was
relating to the show boy his exploits as a manager. In fact he
was giving Phil more information about the work of his own car
than he realized at the time.

Now and then the Circus Boy would slip in an innocent question,
which Bob would answer promptly. By the time the meal was
finished Phil had a pretty clear idea of the workings of his
rival's advance business, as well as their plans for the future,
so far as Tripp knew them.

"By the way, how did you happen to get a berth like this,
young man?" questioned Tripp. "I thought a fellow by the
name of Snowden was running Car Three for old man Sparling."

"He was."

"Closed?"

"Yes."

"What for?"

"I would rather not talk about that. You will have to ask
headquarters, or Snowden himself. You see, it is not my
business, and I make it a rule never to discuss another
fellow's affairs in public."

"Nor your own, eh?"