"Bring him out here. Come along,
bub."
"You're getting blamed virtuous all of a sudden, Braddock," said the
clown angrily. "'Ow about these dogs you are protectin' all the time?
What's more, this 'ere kid's innocent."
"There's five hundred dollars reward for this fellow," said Braddock,
jamming his hands into his coat pockets. "That doesn't sound like he's
innocent, does it? Besides, the officers are plumb certain he's
hanging around this show some place. I'm not going to be pestered with
constables and detectives from here to Indiana, let me tell you that.
It's bad business, monkeying with stray boys, ever since the Charley
Ross kidnapping job last year. So you lummixes have decided to protect
him, have you? Why, the whole pack of you ought to be in jail for even
thinkin' of it. Come out here, boy!"
Without a word, the boy shook himself free of Grinaldi's protecting
grasp, and stepped forward.
"I'm not willing to see these men get into trouble," he said steadily,
addressing the boss. "Give me time to change my clothes again, and
then you can call in the officers."
"Don't be a fool," exclaimed the clown.
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