David was afterward to know this handsome, black-haired girl as Ruby
Noakes, the daughter of Grinaldi, otherwise Joey Noakes, and known to
the gaping world as Mademoiselle Roxane, the Flying Queen of the Air.
CHAPTER III
DAVID ENTERS THE SAWDUST RING
Braddock saw at once that the old clown was against him. With an ugly
imprecation he directed one of the attendants to go to the main
entrance with instructions to bring Mr. Blake and his friend back to
the dressing-tent.
"We'll see who's running this show," he declared, taking a fresh grip
on the stake, and rolling the dangling cigar over and over between his
teeth.
"Hold on, Camp," said Grinaldi, checking the attendant with a gesture.
"See 'ere, Tom," he went on earnestly, "wot's the reason you won't
give this one an even chance with the others?"
Stand aside, Christie," Braddock said to his trembling daughter.
"Don't get in the way. Oh, I'm not going to smash the cub, so don't
worry. Here! Come away from him, I say. Both of you. I won't stand for
any petting of a rascal like him. Well, I'll tell you, Joey Noakes,"
he went on, turning to the clown, "I don't mind saying I need the
money.
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