File:Captain America Comics Vol 1 5 001.jpg

Description
When a circus comes to town near Camp Lehigh, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes decide to check it out, unaware that it is secretly a Nazi operation and that the Ringmaster has been charged with eliminating various military officials in the area. Using his "Wheel of Death" the Ringmaster sets his sights on General Blaine. When his assistant Tommy Thumb refuses to participate in murdering Blaine, the Ringmaster uses violence to force the dwarf to do as he is ordered. Tommy goes and lets a lion loose from it's cage and it mauls Blaine to death. Spotting the danger, Steve Rogers and James change into Captain America and Bucky and subdue the big cat and return it to its cage. Deducing that Blaine's death was not an accident the pair attempt to capture Tommy Thumb but are stopped by other circus workers. Overhearing them talk of a "ringmaster" in charge they become suspicious of the operation. Returning to Camp Lehigh in their civilian guises, Steve and James get in trouble with Sgt. Duffy who assigns them to K.P. Duty. The following morning Steve tells what he believes to Betty Ross who decides to take Steve's suspicions to Defense Commissioner Newsome. However, Newsome is the next target on the Ringmaster's list and he sends Omir the Snake Charmer, Zandow the Strongman, and the Trapeze Trio to eliminate him. Newsome is bitten by a cobra and dies from the venom. Witnessing the Circus of Crime escaping from the scene of the murder, Betty Ross is attacked. When Captain America and Bucky attempt to rescue her they are easily over powered and the crooks get away with Betty as their prisoner. Captain America and Bucky soon follow after them to the circus unaware that the Ringmaster has targeted them for death next. They are confronted by the entire circus staff who attack them head on. The duo fight their way through the circus staff and rescue Betty from a deadly plunge from the top of the big tent. Chasing after the Ringmaster, Captain America easily beats him into submission. After Betty thanks them for saving her life again, Captain America and Bucky leave when the authorities are on their way.