Evening star., 1918-06-02
c [ | Y E

believed she loved him; we be-
Fed it was because OF that that
married him. And yer-and yet
All, monsieur, how can / fail to
Pas 1 do when this change in the
b came with that mans coming?
she-ah, monsieur, why Is she
lays with him? Why does she cur
favor of him and his rich fftend?"
He has a rich friend, them"
es, monsieur. The company was
difficulties; NJ. van Zant, the pro-
tor, could not make it pay. and it
upon the point of disbAnding.
suddenly this different performer,
rider who is. after all, but a poor
teur and not fit to appear with a
pany of trained artists, suddenly
Sgr. Martinelli comes to NJ. van
; to say that, if he will engage
he has a rich friend. one Senior
will back the show with his
ey and buy a partnership in it.
ourse. NJ. van Zant accepted; and
them this Senior Sperati has
eled everywhere. with US. has had
entree like one of US, and his
nd, the bad rider. has fairly be-
Fhed my stepmother. for she is
with him, ever with them both,
Sand All, mon Dieu! the lion
les, and my people die! Why does
smile for no others? Why is it
they, my father. my brother, they
Is that fact?" said Cleek, turning
young Scarmelli. You say that all
nected with the circus have SO little
+ of the beast that even attendants
hetimes do this foolhardy trick?
Fs the lion never smile for any of
se"
Never. Mr. Cleek. never under any
tumstances. Nor does it always
lie for the chevalier and his son.
pit Is the mystery Of it. One never
Pws when it is going to happen;
never knows why it does happen.
I If you could see that unca my
should like to-" interposed Cleek.
bat is. if it might happen without
tragfcal result. Hm-m-m! No
y but the chevalier and chevalier's
And when does it happen in
ir case. during the course of the
" or when there is nobody about
those connected with it?"
ph. always during the course of the
ertainment. sir. Indeed, 1t has
Ter happened at any other time
Ter at ALL"
Ohio" said Cleek. Then it Is only
eA they are dressed and made up
the performance, Ell? Hm-m-m!
ee." Then he lapsed into silence
q moment. and sat tracing circles
the floor with the toe of his boot.
!, of sudden: You came here
|ectly after the matinee, I sup
e?" he queried, glancing up at
tng Scarmeln.
Yes; in fact, before 1t was wholly
see. Then 1t is Just possible that
the performers have not yet got
.. their civilian clothes. Couldn't
Age to take me round behind the
mes, go to speak, II Mr.. Narlsom
leEd us his motor to hurry US
re? Could. eh? That's good.
pix I'd like to have a look at that
and, II you don't mind, an in
duction to the parties concerned.
don't fear; we won't startle any
~ by revealing my identity or the
lse of the visit. Let us say that
a vet. to whom you have ap-
lied for an opinion regarding
rkom? Then let's be off,"
.wo minutes later the red limousine
Is at the door. and. stepping into
with his two companions. he was
izzed away to Olympia. and the
bt step toward the solution Of the
die.
ks It is the custom Of those con-
tied with the world Of the circus
rat. sleep. have their whole being.
It were, within the environment
the show, to the total exclusion
hotels, boarding houses or out
lodgings Of any sort, he found
his arrival at his destination the
ire company assembled in what
known as the living tent" chat
laughing. reading. playing games
killing time generally while
ting for the call to the dining
:" and this gave him an oppor-
ity to meet all the persons con-
ted with the "case" from the
svalier" himself to the Brazilian
Re planter who was backing" the
q found this latter Individual a
bewhat sullen and tAciturn man OF
fdle age. who had more the ap-
trance Of an Austrian than a Bra,
Ian, and with q swinging gait and
J to be misunderstood.
|Humph! Known military training.
o Cleek's mental comment as soon
he saw the man walk. Got 1t In
Irmany, too: know that peculiar
ling. What's his little game. won
!? And what's a Brazilian doing in
) army Of. the kaiser? And. having
kn in 1t. what's he doing dropping
10 this line; backing a circus and
kveling with 1t like a Bohemian
but although these thoughts inter-
ted him, he did not put them into
Srds nor take anybody into his con-
snce regarding them.
ks for the other members Of the COM
ny. he found 1.-THE Indifferent rider, -
|oWn as Sgr. Antonio Martinelli, an
!RAl Lii aha.aA ~ ~