Phil, knowing nothing of this, looked very downcast.

The two lads were standing in the road which overlooked the meadow where
'Bagster's World-renowned Circus' had put up its huge tent, the place
having a fascination for them.

'Those sort of people,' went on Dick, who was a bit too fond of hearing
his own voice, 'have no gratitude.'

'Haven't they, young master?' said a voice in their ears.

It was Tom Venner--otherwise known as 'Long Tom, the Stilt-walker'--who
spoke.

'It strikes me they have, only they never get a chance of being quits.
Look here, youngster'--this to Phil--'it was my little girl you saved,
and one day, if ever I get a chance, I will show you that Long Tom is
not ungrateful.'

Phil grew rosy, and more nervous than ever.

'What's your name, I'd like to know?' went on the man.

'Phil Chilcote,' answered the little lad. 'And what's yours, please?'

'Tom Venner, at your service,' was the reply. 'And now I must be off;
but I shan't forget you.'

Shortly after this, the dinner-hour being near, the two boys wended
their way homewards.

* * * * *

The night which followed this incident was exceptionally wild and
stormy, and, for the first time within memory of living man, the whole
of the lower part of the village of Radwell was flooded by the tide. The
wild rush of waters had swept away the sea-wall as though it had been a
mere plaything, and widespread destruction was the result.

It was a terrible night for man and beast, and Tom Venner, as he drove
his caravan along the lonely road towards the adjoining town, found it a
very difficult matter to make headway in the teeth of the warring
elements.

Presently the clouds cleared away from the face of the moon, and then it
was that a strange scene met the man's eyes. All the land to the right
of him was one wide area of waters, upon which boats were making their
way towards a higher level of land. Curiosity prompted him to drive
nearer, and presently the sound of voices showed that one boat-load had
reached dry land in safety. By the time Tom Venner was on the spot, a
second craft had also come in.

'You have got Phil with you, of course,' he heard a man say. It was Mr.
Chilcote who spoke, a strange ring of anxiety in his voice.

'No,' was the startled answer of a lady who was hushing a baby to sleep.
'Oh, Maurice, you don't mean to say you left him behind!'

'What!' ejaculated the man, hoarsely. 'Nurse said