e committee, which had stepped down off
the stage, "if you will kindly examine the knots, and loosen them, I
shall be obliged to you. Quickly, if you please, as this act is very
trying on the professor."

Joe wanted to get his friend back of the scenes as soon as he could, to
have his burns dressed.

"Are the knots just as you tied them?" asked Joe.

The men admitted they were.

"Proving conclusively," the young wizard went on, "that the professor
did not leave the cabinet to produce the effect you have just
witnessed."

The professor bowed to the applause as he stepped out of the cabinet,
which was at once taken away by assistants. Then Joe walked back of
the scenes with his friend, a pantomimist engaging the attention of the
audience while the next part of the program was being prepared.

But could the show go on with the professor disabled? That was what
Joe wondered. He felt, more than ever, the weight of responsibility on
his shoulders.

CHAPTER III

ANOTHER OFFER

Professor Rosello sank into a chair when he reached his dressing room.

"Quick! Get a doctor!" called Joe to one of the two helpers who
traveled with them. "Bring him in through the stage door! Don't let
it be known out in front."

One of the stage hands gave the helper the address of the nearest
physician, and, fortunately, he was in his office. The doctor came at
once and put a soothing ointment on the burns of the professor's back,
where the electric sparks had penetrated his clothing.

"That's better," remarked the magician with a sigh of relief. "I guess
we'll have to ring down the curtain, Joe. I can't go on."

"I'll finish the show," declared the boy wizard.

"Can you do it?"

"Not as well as you, of course. But I think I can keep them
interested, so they will feel they have had their money's worth. I'll
carry on the show. I can vary my egg and watch tricks a bit, and I'll
do that wine and water one, bringing the live guinea pig out of the
bottle."

"All right, Joe, if you think you can. I'm not equal to any more. I
think I'd better go to the hotel."

"I think so too, Professor. Now don't worry. I'll carry on the show
as best I can."

"And I think you can do it well, Joe. I'm proud of you. If it hadn't
been for you stopping the electric current when you did I would be dead
now."

"Oh, I hardly think it was as bad as that."

"Yes it was. One of those wires broke. After this I'll examine every