e, in which sparkled a pin with a large
stone. He had on a tall hat and a frock coat.

"Come around to the side door," he said, in no very gracious tones, and
Dick noticed that a pair of steps at the side gave access to the wagon.
He was soon inside the place, which was fitted up like a small office,
with desks, and even a typewriter, at which a young man was busy
pounding the keys.

"What is it?" asked the manager, abruptly.

"I've come to see if you won't give a show in Hamilton Corners," began
Dick. "I think the town would like to see it."

"Maybe the town would, but I wouldn't," replied the manager quickly.
"I'm not in business for my health. I want to make a little money, and
Hamilton Corners is too small. We couldn't clear expenses."

"How much do you have to clear to make it worth your while to show in a
town?" asked Dick.

"Well, a thousand dollars is fair business."

"If you were sure of a thousand dollars clear, would you come to
Hamilton Corners?"

"Yes, or any place else within traveling distance. But what are you? A
newspaper reporter? If you are, you want to see our press agent. He's in
that tent over there."

"No, I want to do business with you," rejoined Dick, with a smile. "I
live in Hamilton Corners. I'd like to see a circus there. In fact, I'm
willing to pay for having one come there. I have a certain reason for
it. If I give you a thousand-dollar guarantee will you bring the show
there?"

"Yes, of course."

The manager seemed a little dazed. Dick drew out a thin red book.

"I'll give you the guarantee now," he said. "Can you come to-morrow?"
and he began to use his fountain pen. "Whom shall I make it out to?" and
he looked at the manager.

"Say," suddenly whispered the manager to the ticket seller. "Is the
marshall out there? He is? All right. Call him here." Then in soothing
tones he spoke to Dick. "That's all right," he said. "Never mind the
check. We'll come to Hamilton Corners, anyhow. Now don't get excited.
Here, take a drink of water and you'll feel better. The sun is very hot
to-day. In fact, it makes my head buzz. Just put that red book away. Red
is very heating, you know."

He paused, and looked rather helplessly about him. Then in a whisper he
again asked the ticket seller:

"Is the marshall there? Tell him to come in before he gets violent."

The side door opened, and a town marshall, with a big nickel-plated star
on his coat, entered the wagon.

"What's the matter?"