wet!" he warned her.

"I don't mind," she answered blushingly. "Oh, it was great!"

"I'll do better, next time," Joe said. "I wonder how Benny is? I think
I'll go to the hospital and find out as soon as I get into my regular
clothes."

"I'll go with you," offered Helen.

The two young people, their circus work over for the afternoon, were
soon on their way to the hospital. The doctor who had attended Benny in
the tent met them.

"Well, what's the news?" asked Joe.

"It's bad, I'm sorry to say," was the answer.

"Is--is Benny going to die?" asked Helen, clasping Joe's arm.

"No, he won't die, but it will be a long while before he can join the
circus again."

CHAPTER V

JOE'S PROMISE

Joe Strong gave a low whistle. It expressed at once surprise and
dismay. He looked at Helen, and saw in her eyes deep sorrow for the
unfortunate youth. For Benny Turton was loved by every one in the
circus. His act was so peculiar that there was no professional jealousy
against him, as there was against other performers, including Joe. And
Benny was a gentle youth.

"Not able to join the circus again," repeated Joe.

"No," replied the physician.

"What is the trouble?" Helen queried. "Was he hurt in the tank?"

"Well, it wasn't an accident, if you mean it that way," went on the
doctor. "But his injuries and condition are due to long-continued
tank-work."

"How is that?" inquired Joe. He was interested, not only because he
liked Benny Turton, but from a personal standpoint. Joe might have to
give several more performances in the tank before some one was obtained
to fill Benny's place, or until a new "thriller" was substituted for
the tank scene, and Joe did not wish to run any chances. He had felt no
ill effects from his immersion, save a slight inconvenience due to
holding his breath, and this had passed as soon as he was out of the
water.

"Your friend Benny's trouble," said the physician, "is due to staying
so long under water. I don't mean staying under too long at one
time--there is a limit which nature fixes in that case. But I
understand he has been doing this act twice a day now for some years.
He works, so I am told, under about eight feet of water. Of course
divers have withstood greater pressures than that, but Benny has done
it so constantly that he had injured himself."

"Permanently?" Joe asked.

"That remains to be seen. But it is certain now that he is in great
danger of becoming deaf and dum