ou are a brave fellow."

"I am much obliged to you both for your favorable opinion," said Kit
modestly, "but I didn't realize my danger till afterwards."

"Oh, heavens! I can see him now--that wicked beast!" exclaimed the lady.
"I was nearly scared out of my senses. As for poor Dupont, he was nearer
death than I ever want to be till my time comes."

"Was Dupont the clown?" asked Kit.

"Yes. The lion held him down, with his foot upon the poor clown's back,
and but for your brave act he would have torn the poor fellow to pieces.
Mr. Henderson, you missed the most thrilling act of the evening."

"So I begin to think. By the way, boys, I ought to have introduced this
lady. She is the famous aerial artist, whom you saw the other evening in
her wonderful feats upon the trapeze."

"Yes," said Mlle. Louise, complacently, "I think I have a pretty good
act. I get plenty of applause, eh, Mr. Henderson?"

"That's true. I think I should leave the circus if I had to appear in
your act. I never could summon up courage."

The lady laughed.

"Monsieur Achilles," she said, "I wouldn't advise you to emulate me. I
don't believe you could find a rope strong enough to support you, and if
you should fall, I pity the audience."

"You have convinced me. I shall give up all thoughts of it," said the
giant, with mock gravity. "It would suit better our young friend here,
who is an acrobat."

"Did you ever practice on a trapeze?" asked Mlle. Louise, turning to
Kit.

"Yes, often," answered Kit, "but never at a great height."

"Would it frighten you to find yourself so high up in the air?"

"I don't think so; I have a cool head."

"You must practice. I will give you a few hints myself. If you are cool
and courageous, as I judge you will soon learn. By the way, what is your
name?"

"Kit Watson."

"It'll be something else when you begin work."

"Do all performers have assumed names?"

"Generally. Here I am Mademoiselle Louise Lefroy, but it isn't a bit
like my real name."

Before this the boys had been served with breakfast. The steak was
rather tough, and the coffee not of the best quality, but Kit and
William thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought it about the best breakfast
they had ever eaten. Mlle. Louise continued to converse with them, and
was very gracious.

"Are you too an acrobat?" she asked William.

William became so confused that he swallowed some coffee the wrong way,
and came near choking.

"No, ma'am," he answ