Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/108

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"Well, it is not too late now. I will see that you don't get away this time. I presume you were up to some deviltry again."

"He came here to poison the little horse, and I caught him," panted Freckles.

"He's a liar," cried the somewhat subdued Tony, who now saw that his plight was desperate. While he had been speaking he had been slyly unbuttoning his coat, the collar of which the ringmaster held firmly.

"Poisoning Sir Wilton? If that is so, he'll sweat for it. I——"

"Look out, mister. He is getting away from you," shouted Freckles, but he spoke too late.

The crafty Tony, who was as slippery as an eel, slipped from his coat, leaving the empty garment in the hands of the astonished ringmaster, while he glided beneath the man's arm and fled down the aisle between the horses.