The man who had assisted Andy went away saying he would consult with Mr. Giles Harding, the owner of the circus, at once.

“You see, Murdock ventured here to find out how his wicked plot succeeded, never suspecting that he was found out,” theorized the clown.  “That fellow, Tapp, was always his crony.  They’re a bad lot, you can guess that from the stake they threw at you.  No bones broken?  Good!  Hurts?  I’ll soon fix that.  Strip, now.”

“All right.”

The clown had felt all over Andy’s back as the latter sat down on the bench.  Now he made Andy take off his coat and shirt.  Then he produced a big bottle from his wicker trunk.

“Ever hear of the Nine Oils?” he asked, as he poured a lot of black, greasy stuff out of the bottle into the palm of his hand.

“No,” said Andy.

“This is it,” explained the clown, beginning to rub Andy’s back vigorously.  “You’ve got quite a bruise, and I suppose it pains.  Just lay down.  When I get through, if the Nine Oils don’t fix you up, I’ll give you nine dollars.”

The clown rubbed Andy good and hard.  Then he made him lie down on the big mattress.  The Nine Oils had a magical effect.  Andy’s pain and soreness were soon soothed.  He fell into a doze, and woke up to observe that Marco was in the tent conversing with the clown.

“Hi, Wildwood,” hailed Andy’s friend.  “Having quite a time of it, aren’t you?”

Andy got up as good as ever.  His back smarted slightly—­that was the only reminder he had of Murdock’s savage assault.

Billy Blow had been telling Marco about Andy’s latest mishap.  Marco was greatly worked up over it.  He said the attempted trick on old Benares’s partner had become noised about, and if the two plotters were arrested and brought anywhere near the circus, they stood a good show of lynching.

“I’ll step down with you to the hotel about ten o’clock, Wildwood,” said Marco.  “Miss Starr has some word for you.”

Andy simply said “Thank you,” but his hopes rose tremendously.  He accompanied Marco to the big eating tent and at the man’s invitation had breakfast.  The food was good and everything was scrupulously clean.

Marco got a big tin tray, and he and Andy carried a double breakfast to Billy Blow’s tent.

The clown had got rested up and was bright and chipper, for little Midge seemed on the mend, and was as lively as a cricket.  The little fellow ate a hearty meal, and then expressed a wish for an airing.  Marco borrowed one of the wagons used by some performing goats, and Andy rode Midge around the grounds for half-an-hour.

At about eight o’clock Andy went to the principal street of the town.  He bought himself a new shirt and a cap.  Going back to the clown’s tent he washed up, and made himself generally tidy and presentable for the coming interview at the Empire Hotel.

Andy had a full hour to spare before the time set for that event arrived.  He took a stroll about the circus grounds, meeting jolly old Hans Snitzellbaum, and Benares and his partner, Thacher.