prevent from overwhelming Joe, the diver
and others on the wall of the reservoir. "And here come the newspaper
men to have a talk with you. They've been here ever since word went out
that the diver was held down there under the water."

But Dr. Wertz, who had been giving some medicine to the diver, now came
over to Joe and insisted on examining him before he would allow the
reporters to interview the boy fish.

"Oh, I'm all right," Joe said. "Thank you just the same. All I need is
a little fresh air."

"But my dear young man, you were under water a long while--nearly five
minutes. You may be injured."

"Oh, I guess not," Joe said. "I am used to it, you see," and he quickly
explained.

"Ach! So? Yes!" exclaimed Dr. Wertz, who spoke at times with a
pronounced German accent. "And have you felt no ill effects of the
water pressure on your vocal chords or your ear drums?"

"Why, no, I haven't," said Joe, and a strange thought came into his
mind. "You see, I haven't been at it long. But a friend of mine was
disabled from doing the act I'm doing in the circus."

"So? I think I should like to have a talk with you, young man, about
yourself and that friend of yours when there is time," said Dr. Wertz.
"Just now let me look you over."

He took Joe into the gate house, to which the diver had already been
carried. Tom Rand, whose diving suit had been removed, was lying on an
improvised bed. He seemed weak and ill, but he held out a rather
trembling hand to Joe.

"I guess you're the chap who saved my life," he said slowly. "I can't
thank you--now--too nearly all in. But I--I guess you know how I feel
about it."

"Sure--yes," answered Joe. "It's an even deal. You grabbed me just in
time or I'd have been in that pipe, too."

The diver nodded.

"It was a close call," he said.

Arrangements were being made to take the diver to the local hospital.
He was not seriously hurt, only he had been under a strain and needed
rest and quiet. The physician looked Joe over.

"Well, I can't find anything the matter with you," he said with a
smile. "You certainly are a marvel at holding your breath, though.
Nearly five minutes! I don't see how you did it."

"Just practice, I guess," Joe answered. "Then, too, I made up my mind I
wasn't coming up without him," and he nodded toward Tom Rand.

While Joe was dressing, after vigorously rubbing himself, the diver was
taken away. Dr. Wertz accompanied him, and promised to see Joe again,