ut Ralph is getting more expensive as he grows older
(and you also), and I cannot afford to keep you both at school. You will
therefore stop studying, and I shall secure you some work."

"If things are as you say, I cannot complain of this," Kit said in a
dull, spiritless tone, "but it comes upon me like a thunderbolt."

"No doubt, no doubt. I knew it would be a shock, and I have postponed
telling you as long as possible."

"I suppose I ought to thank you. Have you anything more to say to me
now?"

"No."

"Then, sir, I will leave you. I will ask further particulars some other
day."

"He takes it hard," muttered Stephen Watson, eyeing the retreating form
of his nephew thoughtfully. "I wonder if he will suspect that there is
anything wrong. Even if he does, he is only a boy, and can prove
nothing."

* * * * *

"What makes you so glum, Kit?" asked Dan Clark, when they met at seven
o'clock, as agreed, to go together to the show.

"Not much, Dan, only I have learned that I am a pauper."

"But the estate--the house and the grounds?" said Dan, bewildered.

"Belong to my uncle."

"Who says so?"

"He says so. But I don't want to say any more about it now. Let us start
for the circus, and I will try to forget my pauper position, for one
evening at least."

Before they reached the lot, they heard the circus band discoursing
lively music. They were in a crowd, for all Smyrna, men, women and
children, were bound for the show. It was a grand gala night. In the
city, where there are many amusements, the circus draws well, but in the
country everybody goes.

Outside the great tent were the side shows. In one of them Kit found his
friends of the morning, the giant, the dwarf, and the fat lady, with
other curiosities hereafter to be mentioned. Just inside the tent, in
what might be called the ante chamber, was the collection of animals.
The elephants were accorded more freedom than the rest, but the lion,
tiger, and leopard were shut up in cages. The lion seemed particularly
restless. He was pacing his narrow quarters, lashing his tail, and from
time to time emitting deep growls, betokening irritation and anger.

"How would you like to go into the cage?" asked Dan.

"I don't care for an interview with his majesty," responded Kit.

A stranger was standing near the cage.

"Don't go too near, boys!" he said. "That lion is particularly fierce.
He nearly killed a man last season in Penns