Rags suspected that Rusty was hiding something. The tight suit he wore revealed a revolver in his belt. Clowns rarely use weapons preferring laughter to violence so he called his friend who lived on Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and Rags were childhood chums from kindergarten.

Holmes inquired as to Rusty's whereabouts in the evening. Rags said, "We spend our evenings together." "When does Rusty have time alone?" "Never. We do everything together, even pooping. The only time we are apart is showtime." Sherlock thought for a moment then asked Rags to provide a backstage pass. At six thirty the stagehands were doing their checkout and Sherlock Holmes was there to observe. Men in clown suits arrived with women in trapeze costumes and dogs in tutus. They needed their props, wigs and makeup and they were ready to go on. The circus room for performers was crowded. As the show started the clowns ran out for the opening number. The show had clowns, horses, tightrope walkers but no lions or tigers. Sherlock stood where he could see the show and the green room. When it was over he found Rags standing with Rusty by the trapeze ladder.

Sherlock was ready with an explunation. Rusty excused himself exiting stageright. "Rusty is in trouble; we must follow him!" Destraught the clown ran after him nearly tripping over his shoes. Rags caught him just as shots were fired. Rusty lay on the ground bleeding not moving. Rags ran toward him with tears running down his face. Suddenly the lights went out. The darkness would have hid the shooter's getaway but Sherlock was there with the head electrition, Josh Weitzman. The shooter was the horsetrainer, Samantha. Rags knew Samantha liked guns because he had seen her work as a sharpshooter. He turned to Sherlock questioningly. Sherlock explained, "Samantha is a jewel thief. She uses the circus as a cover. She tried to get Rusty to help her steal your ruby. They were partners in crime when they were in their twenties. Rusty straightened up but Samantha didn't. When she assumed the identity of a trainer Rusty got worried and bought the gun. He didn't want you to know about his past and Samantha threttened to tell if he didn't help. Finally he told her no and you see the results."

Rusty recovered and Samantha spent seven years in jail.