Evening star., 1934-04-29

ger of the cat attacking anybody unless some
body attacks him. But all the people in this
town are scared plumb to death. Now / want
you animal men, all that can leave. to go out
and bring Gala back" He raised his voice so
that all could hear. For the capture of Gala
inside half an hour I offer fifty dollarsl Fifty
dollars to the man that brings Gala backi"
DILL nudged Ham. They looked at the
- senior. and the three held q hurried con-
ference. Then they turned their backs on Smiley
and the parade and hurried away.
Down the side street they went, and up the
alley where the lion had disappeared. They
scanned every aperture. every doorway and win
dow and finally came to the end Of it. Poking
around the great pile Of trash and the half
dozen empty garbage cans against the brick
wall Of building they found nothing. They
paused in perpiexity.
81 know he came down this alley" affirmed
Bill. I'VE him, just after the Baines ran
down here!"
What" Don Jose almost shouted "Ze
Blaines came zis way, too?" His eyes ginted
and his mouth set in determined line. CODE
on we find re both Of zem!"
The Latin spied half open cellar door which
they had passed, and beckoned them to follow
him. Il sink know" he whispered.
Cautiously they opened the door wider and
peered into the darkness. No sound came from
"I go in," announced the lion trainer "You
stay here"
mot on your lfel Well 60 tool"
The trio descended into the depths, black
as night. Carefully they felt their way along.
1t was decided that each boy was to take
side Of the wall and Don Jose would investi-
gate the center of the cellar.
Nothing here" murmured Bill few min
untes later as the two met halfway around. Don
Ham a1S FIJI
Il guess we make mistake zis time" said the
lion trainer with sigh. I'VE try somewhere
else"
Wait a minute!" cried Ham suddenly.
whats this?"
BY feeling the side Of the wall Just above
Hams head they found a small windowSin with
an opening above. Just to satisfy their curiosity
and leave no stone unturned, the boys decided
to go through the aperture Don Jose hoisted
them through Here 1t was even darker.
THERE was silence while Don Jose waited
in suspense. minute later came q stifled
cry.
II think I've got him!" It was Hams voice
He had touched something shaggy and soft
and had drawn his hand away as If he had
touched fire.
In moment Don Jose had bounded through
the window and struck a match.
There, squeezed In between several heavy
hogsheads, was Gala, king Of beasts, frightened
almost to death, and on each side Of him. their
faces ashen white, were the Blaines
The senior would have uttered whoop and
made for the acrobats Immediately If his first
care had not been for the lion. He only looked
daggers at them, and hissed between closed
teeth:
Get out! Get out And I keel you eef
ever I see you again!"
At the show. which went on at the scheduled
time that afternoon, Bill and Ham had front
row seat bag Of popcorn apiece. and $25
In their respective pockets. Besides that.
Senor Don Jose de Campos was their
friend for life Wall-Eye Mason wanted to adopt
them, and even Smiley had told them they
were "a couple Of good eggs" In the hon-tam-
ing act that afternoon, the boys imagined that
Gala was lifting his heavy paws and waving
especially at them. Maybe he was.