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their particular section； to whom he confided Phil Forrest's plan； the lad
taking part in the discussion that followed。 The train manager laughed at
the idea that anyone could steal a ride on his train persistently without
being detected。
Mr。 Sparling very emphatically told the manager that what he thought
about it played no part in the matter at all。 He was expected to make a
thorough search of the train。〃
〃His search won't amount to anything〃 thought Phil shrewdly。 〃I'll do
the searching for this section and I'll find the fellow if he is on board。 I
hope I shall。 I owe Red Larry something； and I'm anxious to pay the
debt。〃
The train soon started； Phil bidding his employer good night； went
forward to No。 1 which was the forward sleeper on the train； next to the
box and flat cars。 He peered into Teddy Tucker's berth； finding that lad
sound asleep； after which he tumbled into his own bed。
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But Phil was restless。 He was so afraid that he would oversleep that
he slept very little during the night。
At the first streak of dawn he tumbled quietly from his berth； and；
putting on his clothes； stepped out to the front platform； where he took a
long breath of the fresh morning air。
The train was climbing a long grade in the Sierra Nevadas and the car
couplings were groaning under the weight put upon them。
Phil climbed to the top of the big stock car just ahead of him； and sat
down on the brake wheel。
Far ahead he saw several men going over the cars。
〃They have not only begun the search but they are almost through；〃
muttered Phil。 〃As I thought； they are not half doing it。 I guess I'll take
a hand。〃
Phil stood up； caught his balance and began walking steadily over the
top of the swaying car。 At the other end of the car he opened the trap
door which was used to push hay through for the animals； examining its
interior carefully。 There was no sign of a stranger inside； nor did he
expect to find any there。
〃He'll be in a place less likely to be looked into；〃 muttered the lad
starting on again and jumping down to a flat car just ahead。
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
〃There's somebody climbing over the train；〃 called one of the
searchers to the train manager。
All hands turned； gazing off toward Phil。 He swung his hands toward
them； whereat they recognized the lad and went on about their work。
〃Wonder they saw even me！〃 grumbled the lad； moving slowly along。
It seemed almost impossible that one could hide on a train like that。 Here
and there men were sleeping under the wagons； and Phil made it his
business to get a look into the face of each of them。 Not a man did he
find who bore the slightest resemblance to Red Larry or Bad Eye。
〃It doesn't look very promising； I must say；〃 he muttered； jumping
lightly from one flat car to another。
Phil had searched faithfully until finally he reached a 〃flat〃 just behind
that on which stood the great gilded band wagon。 Now； under its covering
of heavy canvas； none of its gaudy trimmings were to be seen。
Phil sat down on the low projection at the side of the flat car； eyeing
the band wagon suspiciously。
Somehow he could not rid himself of the impression that that wagon
would bear scrutiny。
〃I'll bet they never looked into it。 Last year when we were a road
show； I remember how the men used to sleep in there and how Teddy got
thrown out when he walked on somebody's face；〃 and Phil laughed softly
at the memory。 〃I'm going to climb up there。〃
To do this was not an easy matter； for the band wagon seemed to loom
above him like a tent。 The canvas stretched over it； extending clear down
to the wheels； to which it was secured by ropes。 The only way the Circus
Boy could get up into the wagon seemed to be to crawl under the canvas at
the bottom and gradually to work his way up。
〃I'm going to try it；〃 he decided all at once。 〃Of course they didn't
look into it。 Maybe they are afraid they will find someone。 Well； here
goes！ If I fall off that will be the last of me； but I am not going to fall。 I
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ought to be able to climb by this time if I'm ever going to。〃
Phil got up promptly； glanced toward the long train that was winding
its way up the steep mountain； then stepped across the intervening space
between the two cars。 He wasted no time； but immediately lifted the
canvas and peered along the side of the wagon。
He discovered that he would have to go to the forward end of it in
order to reach the top； because the steps were at that end。 There the canvas
was drawn tighter； so the lad untied one of the ropes； leaving one corner of
the covering flapping in the breeze。
Cautiously and quietly he began climbing up； the wagon swaying
dizzily with the motion of the train； making it more and more difficult to
cling to it as he got nearer the top。 The air was close； and soo