As he turned a sharp corner, Andy caught sight of a mass of light flames shooting upward.  A crowd was in pursuit of the car.  Shouts, shots and the roars of the animals in the menagerie caused a wild din.  His inclinations lured him back to the scene of the excitement.  His duty, however, seemed plain; to follow out Marco’s instructions and convey his charges to a place of safety.

At a cross street some one hailed the car.  Andy simply shot ahead the faster.  Soon they reached the limits of the town.  Andy bent his ear, and caught the distant clang of the trolley wagon.

He had stolen a car, and they were in pursuit.  The general temper was adverse to the circus folks.  Andy kept the car going.

Miss Starr came to the front door of the car and stepped out on the platform beside Andy.

“Brave boy,” she said simply.

“Miss Starr, what are your plans?” he asked.

“Anything to get away from this horrid town,” she said.  “I am not afraid but what our tent men will teach that mob a lesson.  They always do, in these riots.  I have seen a dozen of them in my time.  The police, too, will finally restore order.  As to the show, though—­the southern trip is over.”

“Then you don’t want to go back to Lacon?”

“Why should we?  Our traps are probably burned, or stolen.  If not, they will be sent on to us on direction.  The show can’t possibly survive.  Billy and his boy couldn’t stand the strain of any more trouble.  No,” sighed the equestrienne, “it is plain that we must seek another position.”

Andy again heard the gong of the repair wagon.  He thought fast.  Putting on renewed speed, he never halted until they had covered about four miles.  Here was a little cluster of houses.  He stopped the car.

“Come with me, quick,” he directed his friends, entering the car and taking up Midget in his arms.

Andy had been over this territory the day previous doing some exigency bill-posting service.

He led the way down a quiet street.  After walking about four squares they reached railroad tracks and a little station.  This was locked up and dark within.  On the platform, however, was a box ready for shipment, with a red lantern beside it.

“I hope a train comes soon,” thought Andy quite anxiously, as he caught the echo of the repair wagon gong nearer than before.

“There’s a whistle,” said little Midget.

“That’s so,” responded Andy, bending his ear.  “Going north, too.  I hope it’s a train and I hope it comes along in time.”

“In time for what?” inquired Midget.

Andy did not reply.  He could estimate the progress of the pursuing wagon from gong sounds and shouts in the distance.  He traced its halt, apparently at the stranded car.  Then the gong sounded again.

Andy glanced down the street they had come.  Two flashing, wobbling lights gleamed in the distance, headed in the direction of the railway station.