would be a cowboy, for it was a
jaunty disguise--"chaps," sombrero, spurs, buckskin gloves, holsters
and pistols, blue shirt, yellow hair, stubby mustache. He donned the
complete disguise, put his street garments in a suitcase and viewed
himself in his small mirror. He highly approved of the disguise. He
touched his cheeks with red to give himself a healthy, outdoor
appearance.

Early the next morning, before the earliest merchants had opened their
shops, Philo Gubb boarded the train for West Higgins, for it was there
the World's Greatest Combined Shows were to appear. The few sleepy
passengers did not open their eyes; the conductor, as he took Mr.
Gubb's ticket, merely remarked, "Joining the show at West Higgins?"
and passed on. Boys were already gathering on the West Higgins station
platform when the train pulled in, and they cheered Mr. Gubb, thinking
him part of the show. This greatly increased the difficulty of Mr.
Gubb's detective work. He had hoped to steal unobserved to the circus
grounds, but a dozen small boys immediately attached themselves to
him, running before him and whooping with joy.

"Boys," said Mr. Gubb sternly, "I wish you to run away and play
elsewhere than in front of me continuously and all the time,"--and
they cheered because he had spoken. Only the glad news that the circus
trains had reached town finally dragged them reluctantly away.
Detective Gubb hurried to the circus grounds. The cook tent was
already up, and the grub tent was being put up. Presently the
side-show tent was up and the "big top" rising. It was not until nine
o'clock, however, that the side-show ladies and gentlemen began to
appear, and when they arrived they went at once to the grub tent and
seated themselves at the table. From a corner of the "big top's" side
wall, Detective Gubb watched them.

"Look there, dearie," said Syrilla suddenly to Princess Zozo, "don't
that cowboy look like Mr. Gubb that was at Bardville and got the golf
cup?"

"It don't look like him," said Princess Zozo; "it is him. Why don't
you ask him to come over and help at the eats? You seemed to like him
yesterday."

"I thought he was a real gentlem'nly gentlemun, dearie, if that's what
you mean," said Syrilla; and raising her voice she called to Mr. Gubb.
For a moment he hesitated, and then he came forward. "We knowed you
the minute we seen you, Mr. Gubb. Come and sit in beside me and have
some breakfast if you ain't dined. I thought you went home