Hill Grace Brooks - The Corner House Girls' Odd Find стр 19.

I suppose you mean a clown? asked Agnes.

Yep. Howd you know? sharply retorted Barnabetta.

I Ive heard the word used before, admitted Agnes, seeing that she had been unwise. Then you know circus folks? observed the suspicious trapeze artist.

Oh, no!

Barnabetta was not convinced, that was plain. But she turned in a matter-of-fact way to the man. Well, Pop, she said coolly, about that money. The man jumped, and his weak eyes opened wide. But Barnabetta kept right on and Agnes was sure she was winking at her father. You must disbelieve me when I say I saw it, and Im goin to say well get it, she declared.

Huh? gasped the clown.

Thats the way it must be in our act, the girl said firmly. In our act dont you see?

Oh! Ha! Hum! said the clown, clearing his throat. I see.

This is second-story work, the girl explained eagerly. Ill show you how to climb up to the window for the money thats to the trapeze, you see, she added, throwing the explanation at Agnes.

Oh! I see, murmured the Corner House girl.

And you play the joey part, Pop, pursued Barnabetta. Ill go ahead, and say Hist! and

Take care! and Clumsy! and the like, making believe were going to rob a house. You do the joey, as I said, and climb almost up to the trapeze on the rope, and then make a fall. Weve got to get the laughs, she added again, glancing sidewise at Agnes.

The latter felt very peculiar indeed. Bluntly honest, it was hard for Agnes to play a part in this way. She knew the girl trapeze performer was trying to lead her astray. Barnabetta and her father were talking of Neale and his money before Agnes appeared, and this tale about the new act was being invented on the spur of the moment to confuse her.

Barnabetta stopped suddenly. Perhaps she saw that her tale was making little impression upon their visitor.

Where were you going, miss? asked Mr. Scruggs, after a minutes silence.

I was on my way to visit Mr. and Mrs. Buckham. They expect me, said Agnes, wisely. But I must have missed the road. I know where I am now, however, Ill go down the railroad beyond the water-tank a little way and find the very crossing of the lane that goes into their dooryard from the west. Those trees must hide the house from here.

Secretly Agnes wanted to get away, but not to visit Mr. and Mrs. Buckham. She felt that she ought to communicate with Neale ONeil just as soon as possible. This old clown and his disguised daughter might have a plan to stop Neale on his way home and take the old album and its precious contents away from him.

For now Agnes, like her sister, Ruth, had begun to believe that the engraved slips of paper pasted into the book were really truly banknotes. How they had gotten there, and who they originally belonged to, Agnes could not guess. Nor did she believe that Neale ONeil had carried them off with him, knowing them to be good currency.

However, everybody who got a sight of them seemed to think that the notes were legal tender. Even this strange girl, Barnabetta Scruggs, thought Neale was carrying around thousands of dollars with him. Dear me! if Neale would only know enough to go to Mr. Howbridge, there at his brothers house at Tiverton, the lawyer would tell him just what to do with the old album.

These thoughts raced like lightning through Agnes mind as she turned calmly away from the campfire. I must be going, she said. Good-bye.

The man said nothing, but looked away. Barnabetta said: How about that wolf you said was chasing you? and she said it sneeringly, as though she doubted Agnes story.

I guess he wont follow me down upon the railroad tracks, the Corner House girl said cheerfully.

Huh! I guess he wont. Cause why? There wasnt any wolf, snapped Barnabetta. Thats a story!

It isnt, either! cried Agnes, hotly.

Id like to know what you were hidin behind that pile of ties and listenin to us for? said the circus girl.

I told you how I came to do that.

I dont believe you, was the flat reply.

Agnes was too impulsive to let this stand without answering. She whirled and spoke hotly to the trapeze performer:

I tell you the truth. I doubt if you tell me the truth. Why were you so afraid of being overheard, if all that talk about the money you saw in the book was just play-acting?

You are too smart, snarled Barnabetta.

I am smart enough to know that you are trying to fool me. Im not going to believe you at all not a word you say. I dont like you. Im going to Mr. Buckhams so now!

Barnabetta sprang forward, crying: Youre not goin so fast! Is she, Pop?

Agnes had forgotten the clown. He had come silently around the other side of the fire evidently at some signal from Barnabetta and was now right at her elbow.

Grab her, Pop! Dont let her get away! cried the circus girl, commandingly.

Agnes would have run; but she fairly bumped into the little man. He seized her by both arms, and she found that she was powerless against him.

At this point Agnes Kenway became thoroughly frightened. She opened her lips and screamed for help.

Instantly there was a scrambling in the brush beside the overturned pile of ties, a savage growl, and a shaggy body sprang into sight and charged the struggling Corner House girl and the man who held her.