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As they reached the circus grounds and Joe was putting away his motor-cycle, he saw Tonzo Lascalla coming toward him. "Well, and how is the millionaire to-day?" asked the trapeze performer. "Millionaire?" asked Joe, in some surprise. "Why, yes, you must be that since you get so much money and are never known to spend any," returned the Spaniard.
"I mean why don't you 'blow yourself, as the boys say over here. Give a sort of supper to the crowd." "I'm afraid I can't afford it," replied Joe, with a shake of his head. "I'd like to, but it would take a good deal more salary than I'm getting to entertain the circus." "Oh, I didn't mean the whole outfit," said Tonzo. "I mean just thirty or forty of those you know best." Joe shook his head.
There was a sneer on his face, and his words showed how much contempt he thought he felt for Joe. "You must have money in the bank," put in Sid, coming up just then. "Well, suppose I have?" asked Joe, with a tinge of anger in the words, "I earn what I get, don't I?" "Oh, you may," replied Tonzo, with a shrug of his shoulders. "You certainly keep what you get that is sure."
"Deliver me from them. They mean all right those doctors and nurses but it's awful trying to lie on your back and want a drink of water." "Especially if you happen to know that you could get up and lift a barrel of it, if you weren't ill," put in Tonzo Lascalla. "Yes, I, too, am sorry for Benny. But it is what will happen to all of us in this business."
Helen looked at Joe, and became aware, from the expression of his face, that there was a hidden meaning in the words. She saw that Joe was embarrassed and so she turned the conversation. Later on, when Helen and Joe were alone, the young aquatic performer said: "I suppose you are wondering what Tonzo was driving at?" "Oh, I don't want to hear any secrets," Helen answered.
Tonzo Lascalla stepped forward. He held out his hand and said: "I want to beg your pardon, Joe Strong. I have misjudged you!" "So have I!" exclaimed Sid. They were both very much in earnest, and as they shook hands there were tears in Joe's eyes. But they were happy tears. Others of the circus folk who had not understood Joe made haste to make amends, and, for a time, there was a happy group.
Joe knew that Tonzo had not proposed dissipation, for circus performers, particularly those who take their lives in their hands on high trapezes, cannot afford to live a riotous life, even for one night. Their nerves would be shattered for days to come, and once a performer's nerve is gone he is useless to himself and to others.
They sat not far from Tonzo and Sid Lascalla, and the former, looking over at Joe, asked: "When are we going to have that supper?" "I can't say," Joe answered, trying to be jolly about it. "What supper is that?" inquired Helen, smiling at Joe. "Oh, it's one he's going to give to celebrate his increase in salary," answered Tonzo.
There was a burst of applause at this clever and rather dangerous trick. It was dangerous even with the life-net below them, for had the men fallen together, in a heap, they would have been hurt in spite of the net. But the trick was over successfully. First Joe dropped into the net, then Sid and finally Tonzo, each one somersaulting down.
We've had enough practice at it, even though this is the first show of the season. What do you say, Tonzo?" "Oh, I'm ready for it." "So am I, then," added Sid. "Only let's be sure the life net is all right. The ring-attendants are apt to be a bit careless at first." "I'll look after it," promised Joe. The lacing of his shoes seemed to give the young trapeze performer some little concern.
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