out ten cents. "Now, am I a clown or
not?"

"Well, er----"

"Am I or not?" And the eldest Rover boy doubled up his fists. He knew he
must "take the bull by the horns" with such an individual as that before
him.

"Excuse me," mumbled the fellow and moved away. "I--er--suppose yer
couldn't help it."

Sam and Tom had gone ahead and they were now close to the man they took
to be Merrick.

"No mistake here!" declared Sam, as he got a good, square look at the
fellow's face.

"He sees us!" exclaimed Tom, a second later. "He is trying to get away."

The boy was right, Merrick had seen them. He was greatly amazed, for he
had not dreamed of their being in that vicinity. He left his seat in a
hurry, and, elbowing his way through the crowd, started for the entrance
to the big tent-like enclosure.

By this time Dick was coming up and Sam and Tom quickly acquainted him
with what was going on. All three of the Rovers pushed through the big
crowd after Merrick, but, before they could draw near, the rascal was
outside and running between a number of carriages and wagons standing in
that vicinity.

"Come on after him!" cried Tom. "We must capture him if we can!"

They set off on a smart run, but Merrick could run also, and fear now
lent speed to his flying feet. On and on went the swindler, with the
Rover boys less than a square behind him. Then, as they came to a number
of tall buildings, Merrick darted around a corner and out of sight.

When the Rover boys reached the corner they looked in every direction
for the man. Only a few people were about, the majority of the town
folks being at the show.

"Wonder if he went straight on, or took to some side street?" mused
Dick.

"I'll go straight on," said Sam. "Dick, you can take one side street and
Tom can take the other," and away went the youngest Rover, at a fresh
burst of speed.

Sam's advice was considered good, and soon all of the boys had
scattered. The street Tom followed was lined with tall tenements and
ended in little more than an alleyway.

Coming to another corner, Tom paused and gazed in all directions. As he
turned his head he saw a man look out from a tenement doorway. Then the
head was drawn back quickly.

"Merrick!" muttered Tom to himself, and turned back to the tenement,
which was a building four stories high. On one side was something of an
alleyway and beyond were other tenements, and the rear of a big building
used for a factory and offices.

T