e, for what you did," said Helen, coming up to
him in the dining tent, where an early supper was served. "I saw what
you did--stopping that runaway horse."

"Oh, it wasn't anything," Joe said, modestly enough.

"Wasn't it?" asked Helen, with a smile. "Well, I consider myself and
Rosebud something worth saving."

"Oh, I didn't mean it that way," Joe said quickly. "But the runaway
might not have gone near you."

"Yes, I'm afraid he would. But you saved me."

"Well, if you feel that way about it," laughed Joe, for he did not want
Helen to take the matter too seriously, "why then we're even. You
saved me from a bad fall on the trapeze."

The storm subsided somewhat by night, and there was a good attendance.
And the receipts the next day were very large in the afternoon, for the
story of what the circus men had done was widely spread, and served as
a good advertisement. Joe was applauded louder than ever when he did
his acts.

The two wily Lascalla Brothers never referred to the incident of the
rotted trapeze rope, and Joe did not know whether to believe them
guilty or not. At most, he thought, they only wanted to give him a
tumble that might make him look ridiculous, and so discourage him from
continuing the work. In that case their deposed partner might get a
chance. But Joe did not give up, and he kept a sharp lookout. He
redoubled his vigilance regarding his ropes, bars and rings, inspecting
all of them just before each performance.

On arriving at the next town Helen received a note in her mail asking
her to call at the principal hotel in the place. It was signed by one
of the members of the law firm.

"You come with me, Joe," she begged. "I don't want to go alone."

"All right," agreed the young performer. "We'll go and get your
inheritance."

"If there's any to get," laughed Helen. "Oh, Joe, I'm so nervous!"

"Nervous!" he answered. "I wish I could be afflicted with nervousness
like that--money-nervousness, I'd call it!"

They found Mr. Pike, the lawyer, to be an agreeable gentleman. He had
requested Helen to bring with her the proofs of her identity, the old
Bible and other books, which she did. These the lawyer examined
carefully, and asked the girl many questions, comparing her answers
with some information in his notebook. Finally he said:

"Well, there is no doubt but you are the Miss Helen Morton we have been
looking for so long, and I am happy to inform you that you are entitl