 You're warm enough Jerry sure I am. It's nice and warm here in the sun. Jerry, how do you like your new job? Water and horses? Oh alright. Well you know there's lots of opportunities around the circus. If you just keep your eyes and ears open you may work yourself into a really good job. Do you often have thieves robbers around the circus? Well why? Well it's a funny thing. When I went into the horse tent this morning, why'd he was awful upset? What about? Well for the past few days he's been missing a baler to a valve valve every time he goes to feed the Arabians. Hmm, well that's strange. I don't see how anybody could carry a baler valve valve away without being noticed, do you? And he says it's happened a lot lately too. Well it sounds like a good mystery. I think I'll try and find out what it's all about. You're good for you. It's certainly worth keeping your eyes open. Now why do you think you'll be grateful? I like him a lot. Yeah, why'd he's alright? You know, there's an awful lot of nice people in this circus. Jason and Patsy and of course you and Mr. Randall. You know, I like Decker too. I think he's swell, beard and all. Yeah, he seems like a nice fella. I wonder why he wears that beard. Oh, probably thinks it'll help the act. What do you mean? Well, when he's standing there waiting for Lorenz to throw all those knives at him, he may think he just looks more mysterious or dignified or something. Or if he gets scared and maybe thinks the beard will cover his face so it won't show. You may be right, Jerry. And instead of putting on a false beard every day, he just decided to grow his own. Exactly. You know, I think it makes him look a lot older than he really is. Well, I wouldn't be surprised. He's nice to rags, too. Oh, that's probably the real reason you like him. And rags like him, too. Oh, say, speaking of rags, I forgot to tell you, I talked with Mr. Randall about your dog working in my act. And just like I told you, he promised to pay you. Really, pups? Pay me for letting rags work with you? Well, yeah, and then of course there's your salary as a water boy, too. You're getting to be a regular businessman. Collie, isn't that swell? I guess you better see Jim Boone. I guess you better see Jim Bennett, the first chance you get, and be sure your name's on the payroll. Who's Jim Bennett? He's Paymaster and bookkeeper of the circus. You will find him in the office wagon. Oh, I know. He's the man I talked to when I was trying to find Mr. Randall that first day to give him Dad's note. Let's see. Well, why, today's payday. He should be coming back from town with the payroll money pretty soon. Now, as soon as your shirts dry, you better take a run over there and be sure your name's on the books. I'll bet I will. She's getting paid for letting your dog learn tricks. That's something. This one now. Got a little sag up there. Well, here comes Jim. Must be about noon. Yeah, he's regular as clockwork with that payroll. Yeah, he better be. Hi, Jim. Looks like payday is with us again. Hi, boys. Yep. You're right after lunch. Guess you won't need a formal invitation. Well done. Yeah, an empty pocket. Hmm, funny. It's unlocked. You in there, Mr. Randall? Work just like I planned. If you didn't see who hit you on the head, her Bennett. You're asleep now, and the birdies are singing. They bolt that door from the inside. Okay, Decker. Is the coast clear? No one saw us or Bennett either. Not a soul around except those stakers tighten up those ropes. What? They're on the other side of the tent. They didn't see a thing. Good. You see, it was easy. Quick now. Tie him up in honey before he comes to help you with his blindfold. Why? So he won't recognize us if he comes to think I'm a fool. You certainly think of everything. Get that money in your pockets. I'll take those 50s. And now the gun. I'll throw it here on the floor. See? First I wipe off the fingerprints. Have we got to plant this one, Jason? Of course. But why care who takes the blame as long as we don't? We'll just go on as if nothing has happened. Stay with the show for a while. Then when we're sure no one suspects us, we can quit. But why can't we quit now? We'll have them know we've gone away. Why, they'd have the police out after us and never a train watched. Clarence. Quiet for her. Mr. Bennett. Mr. Bennett. It's Jerry. Quiet. Here, go away. Mr. Bennett. Well, Rags, Gissie isn't here yet. Want to take a walk? Okay, come on. Hello, Jerry. Of course, Spike. Where you going? Just walking around waiting for Mr. Bennett. He's at the office wagon. Oh, but I... Sure, he was headed there a few minutes ago. I saw him. Oh. Well, thanks. Okay, son. Bye. Gee, that's funny. Come on, Rags. We'd better see bumps. Oh, you're right. Here he comes now and talking to Mr. Randall, too. Hello, there, Jerry. Are you through so soon? No, I... Hello, Mr. Randall. Hello, Jerry. I just sent Jerry over to see Jim Bennett to check about getting his name on the payroll. Oh, good. You got it straightened out, Jerry? No, he wasn't there. Huh? He wasn't in the office wagon? Uh-uh, I knocked a couple of times. Well, that's funny, son. Usually they're pay days at this time. One of the stakers said he was headed for the office wagon just a little while ago. But he didn't answer when I knocked and the door was locked. That's funny. Well, maybe he just stepped out for a minute, Sam. He's never done that before. Usually he stays right in his wagon until everybody's paid off. I can't understand him going off and leaving that money in the wagon. I even call his name a couple of times, Mr. Randall. I'd better go over there and see what it's all about. Want to come along, Jerry? Sure. Come, bumps? No, no. I got to check with Joe about a prop he's fixing for me. See you later, bumps. All right. Bye, Sam. Well, Jerry, bumps tells me you and Whitey are getting along fine. We sure are, Mr. Randall. Well, that's fine, son. And you're getting along all right with the work, too? Oh, sure. I like horses. You think you might turn into a trick rider someday? Well, I don't know. I don't know whether I'd like to be a wild animal trainer or an aerialist or a trick rider. Gee, I'd even like to be a clown like bumps. And you do like the circus, don't you, Jerry? Golly, I sure do, Mr. Randall. Well, here we are. Let's see if Ben is here now. All right, it's fine. The door isn't locked. Jim. Jim. He's heard us. He's heard. Gee, Rags, get away from there. Come here. Quick, quick, Jerry. Help me untie him here. Golly, you look at that bump on his head. I got some water in that cooler over there, Jerry. Yes, sir. Jim. Jim, oh boy. This looks bad. Wait a minute. The pay money. It's gone. Here's the bag. He carries it in empty. Hey, here's some water, Mr. Randall. Good. Let's put somebody's head here. Oh, that's good. It's coming around now. Jim. Jim, it's Randall. Oh, my head. Here, Jim. Drink this water. Take it easy. That's it. You'll be all right in a minute now. Gee, gee, boss. Oh, wait a minute. Golly, what a blow. What happened? I came up the stairs. I noticed the latch was off the door, so I figured you were in there. And I opened the door. Take it easy, Jim. Where's the payroll? It's gone. Every bit of it. All but the bag. No. Oh, what a break. Mr. Randall, there's a gun on the floor. Don't touch it, Jerry. It might have fingerprints on it. Here, I'll use my handkerchief. Jim, it looks like Jason's missing gun. What? Jason's gun? Yeah, it looks like it. 45 caliber automatic. Give me a minute. Number 8, 7, 3, 9, 6, 1. That might be the number. Sounds familiar. You don't think Jason did this to you, Mr. Randall? That's right, Mr. Randall. Jason lost one of his guns. Tell me about yourself. Probably the guy who took it planned this on purpose to throw suspicion away from him. It's also possible that Jason reported his gun missing to divert suspicion. But Mr. Randall, Jason wouldn't do anything crooked. When you've lived as many years as I have, Jerry, you won't judge people by appearances. A man may seem like a straight shooter and yet underneath... Get here, boss. Part of his gun handle is broken off. Yeah, probably broke off when the gun hit the floor. Maybe the piece was lying around here somewhere. A pretty big piece broke off, huh? I don't see it around any place. You better get to a doctor and have him look you over, Jim. I'm going to have my hands full with this business. What about the payroll, boss? I'll have to tell the folks at lunch, I guess. They're all in the mess tent now. Well, I'll see you later, Jim. I think you can manage to get to the doctor. I'm okay. Do you want Jerry to go along? No, I'll be fine. I'd like to go with you, Mr. Bennett, please. Jim, you'll be sure to drop in my office when you get back. I'll have to talk with Jason. Okay, I'll be there. So long, boss. Goodbye. Come on, Wags. Well, young fella, some funny things can happen around a circus lot, can't they? Golly, I'll say so, but... Well, what is it, son? You don't think it was Jason, do you? No, I'll tell you the truth. I don't. But Mr. Randall said... he cleared up with all sorts of strange things since I joined this outfit. But one thing I'll say from him, he's pretty fair. Well, I'm sure he is. But he's got a gift for putting his finger on the right guy. I'm just sure Jason didn't do it. Well, we'll hope he can clear himself. And if he can't? If he can't, I'd say Jason was in pretty hot water.