ain top,"
of Sampson Brothers' Circus to watch the professionals at their
practice. The man was one of the troupe known as the "Lascalla
Brothers," though the relationship was assumed, rather than real.

Joe gave a start of astonishment as he sensed the recognition. He was
also surprised at the great change in the man. When Joe had first seen
him, a few months before, the performer had been a straight, lithe
specimen of manhood, intent, at the moment when Joe met him, on seeing
that his trapeze ropes were securely fastened.

Now the man looked and acted like a tramp. He was dirty and ragged,
and his face bore evidences of dissipation. He leered at Joe, and then
something in our hero's face seemed to hold his attention.

"What are you looking at me that way for, young fellow?" he demanded.
"Do you know me?"

"No, not exactly," was the answer. "But I've seen you."

"Well, you're not the only one," was the retort. "A good many thousand
people have seen me on the circus trapeze. And I'd be there to-day,
doing my act, if it hadn't been for that mean Jim Tracy. He fired me,
Jim did--said he was going to get some one for the act who could stay
sober. Huh? I'm sober enough for anybody, and I took only a little
drink because I was sick. Even at that I can beat anybody on the high
bar. But he sacked me. Never mind! I'll get even with him, and if he
puts anybody in my place--well, that fellow'd better look out, that's
all!"

The man seemed turning ugly, and Joe was glad the fellow had not
connected him with the youth who had paid a brief visit to the trapeze
tent that day, months before.

"I wonder if it's to take his place that Jim Tracy wants me?" mused
Joe, as he turned aside. "I guess Jim put up with this fellow as long
as he could. Poor chap! He was a good acrobat, too--one of the best
in the country." Joe knew the Lascalla Brothers by reputation.

"If I take his place----" Joe was doing some quick thinking. "Oh,
well, I've got to take chances," he told himself. "After all, we may
never meet."

Joe had fully made up his mind. Before going back to the professor he
stopped at the telegraph office and sent this message to Jim Tracy.

"Will join circus in two days."

CHAPTER V

OFF TO THE CIRCUS

"Well?" questioned Professor Rosello, as Joe came back to the hotel.
"Is it my show or----"

"The circus," answered Joe, and he did not smile. He was rather
serious about it, for in spite