sure they were more jealous of him than before. He was
going above them on the circus ladder of success and popularity. But
it was none of Joe's planning. His success was merited.

The mail had been distributed one day, and Helen had a letter from the
New York lawyers, stating that a member of the firm was coming on to
inspect the old Bible and the other original proofs of her identity.

"I must tell Joe," she said, and on inquiry learned that he was in the
main tent, practising. As she walked past the dressing room which Joe
and the Lascalla Brothers used, she saw a strange sight.

Sid and Tonzo were doing something to a trapeze. They had pushed up
the outer silk covering of the rope--covering put on for ornamental
purposes--and Tonzo was pouring something from a bottle on the hempen
strands.

"I wonder what he is doing that for," mused Helen. "Can it be that----"

She got no further in her musing, for she heard Sid speaking, and she
listened to what he said.

CHAPTER XII

JUST IN TIME

"This ought to do the business," said Sid.

"Yes," agreed Tonzo, "and not so quickly that it will be noticed,
either. It will work slowly, but surely."

"That's what we want," commented the other. "We're in no hurry. Any
time inside of a week will do. Now we'll put this away to ripen."

"That's queer," thought Helen, and she passed on, for by the movement
in the canvas dressing room she thought the men were about to come out,
and she did not want them to see her at what they might consider spying
on them. "I never heard of ripening a rope before," the girl said.
"But it may be they have to for a trapeze. I'll ask Joe about it. He
might fix some of his ropes that way."

Helen went on, anxious to find the young performer, and show him her
letter from the lawyer.

"I'll tell Bill Watson, too," Helen decided.

As she expected, both Joe and the old clown were much interested in her
news.

"It does really begin to look as though you would come into some money,
doesn't it?" Joe said.

"I'm beginning to believe it myself," Helen answered, "though I don't
really count on it as yet."

"Yes, it's best to go a little slowly," advised Bill. "Not to count
your chickens before they're hatched is a good motto. But this looks
like business. I'd like to interview that lawyer when he comes."

"I'll turn him over to you," Helen said with a laugh. "To you and Joe,
and you can arrange about getting my money for