noon before
The first thing they saw on entering the town was the skeleton of Sleary 's Circus . The company had departed for another town more than twenty miles off , and had opened there last night . The connection between the two places was by a hilly turnpike-road , and the travelling on that road was very slow . Though they took but a hasty breakfast , and no rest -LRB- which it would have been in vain to seek under such anxious circumstances -RRB- , it was noon before they began to find the bills of Sleary 's Horse-riding on barns and walls , and one o'clock when they stopped in the market-place . A Grand Morning Performance by the Riders , commencing at that very hour , was in course of announcement by the bellman as they set their feet upon the stones of the street . Sissy recommended that , to avoid making inquiries and attracting attention in the town , they should present themselves to pay at the door . If Mr. Sleary were taking the money , he would be sure to know her , and would proceed with discretion .