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Though the other two Lascallas Tonzo and Sid wanted Sim back, and though Joe suspected them of at least once trying to cause him to get a humiliating fall, nothing had come of Sim's threats. "Yes, they may want him back," Joe admitted. "But I don't know just what I can do. I'll go on with as much of my trapeze work here as I can, and also do the tank act. But when we move on "
"If you'll give me more money I'll try for a better record yet," said the boy fish with a smile. "Say, what are you trying to do become a millionaire?" asked the ring-master, jokingly. "Oh, I can always use more money," replied Joe. As he came down to the ground he saw Tonzo Lascalla looking at him. The trapeze performer had heard what Joe said last.
"He doesn't send any to his folks, for he hasn't any folks," said Tonzo Lascalla. "He told me so. His foster father is well off, and doesn't need any cash from Joe, and he hasn't any other relatives, except maybe some in England he never heard of." "Maybe he's saving to hire a lawyer to get his English fortune for him," suggested Sid Lascalla. "Maybe," agreed his partner.
After some rather usual and not very difficult acts, to get themselves warmed up, the Lascallas prepared for one of their "thrillers." Joe climbed to a small platform, fixed high up on one of the poles at one side of the tent. Sid Lascalla occupied a similar position on the other side. Between them swung Tonzo on a trapeze. "All ready!" cried Joe. "Ready!" answered Sid.
"Say, it's too bad, Ben. Maybe if you were to speak to Jim Tracy " "No. I won't do that, Joe. Never mind about me. There's your call." "So it is. I'll see you again. Come on, Sid Tonzo!" Joe clasped hands with his two fellow trapezists, and together they ran lightly out to the ring. Benny Turton followed more slowly. He was to begin his act in a few minutes.
"They'll have to do as they do in theatres, and hang out the S.R.O. sign if it keeps on. It looks as though there would be standing room only before long, it certainly is starting the season good." "I'm glad to hear it," remarked Tonzo Lascalla, one of a trio of "brothers" with whom Joe Strong did more or less dangerous things on the high trapeze.
He could not help hearing what they said, as they were in their dressing room, while he was in his, putting on the red, scaly suit which he wore in the tank. "Will he do it?" asked Sid of Tonzo. "No. He claims he can't afford it." "And getting nearly twice as much as we do! Say, he must be a regular tight-wad!" "That's what he is," said Tonzo bitterly. "Afraid to spend his money!"
With this Joe was well pleased; for while the Spaniards worked well with him, Joe could not help feeling that they did not like him for having taken the place of Sim Dobley, who had been discharged. "Well, Joe, I hear you're pulling down a pretty good salary now," remarked Tonzo Lascalla to our hero one day.
"I can't afford it," he replied. "What! With the money you're getting? Why, I hear you've had your salary nearly doubled!" "Well, I'm doing double work, am I not?" asked Joe. "Of course you are, but " Tonzo shook his head, and there was an unpleasant sneer on his face as he turned away from Joe. A little later Joe saw Tonzo and Sid talking together.
"It isn't a secret," Joe answered. "At least my increase in salary isn't, for I told you about it. What Tonzo was hinting at was that I ought to give some sort of banquet." "Why?" Helen demanded. "Oh, because I'm getting so much money. Well, I suppose I am earning big pay, but, as I claim, I'm doing big work that is double work. But I'm not going to waste my money on blow-outs."
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