ch
the other performers from the wings, and but for the fear that the
inspector might send an officer to arrest him, he would have enjoyed
himself hugely.

On the following day he took part in the street parade at the next
stopping place, and during the afternoon read everything concerning the
tragedy he could find in the hotel reading-room papers.

He did not gain any great amount of information, however.

The particulars of the murder were related at greater length, and it
was said that several promising clews were being followed, but no
details were given concerning the work of the detectives.

"Jest as likely as not I'll surprise people before this thing is over.
If I can get on the track of them men Something is goin' to happen for
a fact."

He had already begun to speculate on the anticipated triumph when he
should, unaided, bring the guilty men to justice, as his gaze fell on
an advertisement displayed in large type:

INFORMATION WANTED.

A suitable reward will be paid for information as to the whereabouts of
Jethro Lewis. The said boy is fourteen years of age, medium size,
curly hair, and when last seen wore a suit of grey clothes with a
district messenger's cap, on which were the figures 48.

Address
X. Y. Z., _Herald_ office.

"The inspector is after me," Jet whispered as the paper fell from his
grasp. "Now my jig is up, an' I reckon there's no chance but that I'll
have to go to jail."

Jet tore the advertisement from the sheet lest it should be seen by
some member of the company, and then went at once to the theater, where
he could remain screened from view of the townspeople.

The one thought in his mind was that all would be well if he could get
on the track of those who had kidnapped him, and he blamed himself
severely for not having gone straight on to Cooperstown Junction,
instead of remaining with the company, but how that might have been
done while he was penniless was something he did not attempt to solve.

"I won't stay any longer than to-night," he said to himself as the
curtain was raised for the evening's performance, and the stage manager
warned him to be ready for his cue. "There must be some way of getting
over to that place without waiting for the company."

On this night he felt more confidence in himself, having had two
rehearsals with the leader of the orchestra, and at the signal went
before the audience confidently.

On the previous performance he had not dared