At this Barton Reeve motioned to Leo to walk a distance away.

"Run for a couple of policemen," he whispered. "I'll keep an eye on the crowd."

The young gymnast needed no second bidding, but went off swiftly.

At the first corner he ran across a bluecoat and hurriedly related his story.

At once the policeman rapped for an a.s.sistant.

Then the three joined Barton Reeve.

Snipper and the swindlers were just preparing to leave the saloon.

The back window was wide open, and with a bound Barton Reeve leaped into the apartment.

Leo came close behind, and the policemen followed.

Jack Snipper turned as pale as death when he saw how he was trapped.

He started to sneak out through the drinking resort, but Leo caught him and threw him down on the sawdust floor.

Then a struggle took place between the swindlers and Barton Reeve and the policemen.

But at last the swindlers were overcome and handcuffed.

Snipper was also made a prisoner, and the whole crowd marched down to the police station.

The excitement was great at the circus when it was learned that Leo was innocent and Jack Snipper was guilty.

In her joy Natalie Sparks actually hugged Leo, while the boy blushed most furiously.

In due course of time Snipper and the swindlers were tried, and each was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

CHAPTER XXIV.-IN THE CIRCUS RING AGAIN.

"Leo, Mr. Lambert wants to see you," said Barton Reeve, after the excitement of the arrest was over.

"What about?" questioned the young gymnast.

"Oh, he wants to see you, that's all," added Reeve, with a peculiar wink of his eye.

The circus manager was at the main ticket wagon, as usual. As Leo entered, he held out his hand.

"Dunbar, I did you a great wrong, and I am sorry for it," he said frankly.

"I am glad that my name is cleared, Mr. Lambert," said Leo, as he took the extended hand.

"We owe you something for what you have done for the show," went on the manager. "You did what the detectives failed to do, and I feel I ought to pay you a reward."

"You can reward me well enough by taking me back, Mr. Lambert-that is, if you will take my present side partner, too," Leo added, for he did not intend to desert Carl, who had done so much for him.

"I don't understand. Who is your partner?"

"Carl Ross, a magician and juggler. He is very clever, and I think would make a hit with the show. We have been traveling around giving private exhibitions."

"In that case, I will be pleased to see what your partner can do. Can he come around to the dressing-tent just before the evening performance begins?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well then. Have him bring what apparatus he possesses with him.

And remember, your old place is open whenever you care to step into it again."

"I'll be on hand as soon as you settle with Carl Ross," smiled Leo.

He lost no time in hunting up Carl, who was close at hand, having heard of the arrest of the ticket thieves at the hotel.

"The manager of the circus says my old position is open for me," said Leo.

"Are you going to leave me, Leo?" asked Carl, with an anxious look on his face.

"No. I said I would rejoin if he would give you an opening too."

"Oh!"

"He wants you to show what you can do at the dressing tent a little before seven o'clock." And Leo went into a few particulars. "Do your best, Carl, and you are sure of a steady place at a good salary."

"That would certainly be far better than knocking around, as we have been doing, on an uncertainty."

That evening Carl presented himself, in company with Leo, and gave an exhibition of his finest tricks and of his most dexterous juggling. Mr.

Lambert was greatly pleased.

"You'll do first rate," he said, when Carl had concluded. "If you wish, you can join us, and I'll pay you the same wages that I was paying Dunbar."

Carl accepted on the spot, and the next day found him and Leo traveling with the other performers of the "Greatest Show on Earth."

Leo's friends were glad to see him back, and doubly glad that they had gotten rid of Snipper.

"I never want to see that man again," declared Natalie Sparks, and n.o.body blamed her.

The next two weeks were busy ones for Leo. Not only had he to practice up himself in his old acts, but he had also to instruct a new gymnast who came to take Snipper's place.

The newcomer was named Harry Ray. He was a first-cla.s.s fellow, and soon he and Leo and Carl became warm friends.

The "Greatest Show on Earth" moved nearly every day. Its course was westward, something which did not suit the young gymnast, but which was also something he could not help.