works, and it does so in a
queer way. This wire rope is eaten through just like that. There isn't
any odor left, though sometimes it lasts a long time. But I'm sure the
same kind of acid was used. You don't mean to tell me you have been
experimenting with it!" and he looked in surprise at Joe.

"No indeed!" and the young fire-eater shook his head. "I never handle
the acid. And the fact that the cable was eaten through nearly caused an
accident." He then explained how he had discovered the partly severed
wire rope just in time.

"They must have put on a weak solution of the acid," declared Ham.
"Otherwise it would have eaten the rope through in jig time. So that's
the game, is it? Well, they may have been trying it on a larger scale.
Did you find out who doped the rope?"

"There was a man who might have done it," said Joe, thinking of Harry
Loper. "But I don't believe he did."

"Is he still with the show?"

"Yes. I'll tell you all the circumstances," which Joe did, mentioning
Loper by name.

"Well, we won't say anything," declared Ham Logan; "but I'll just keep
my eyes on this Loper. As you say, he may not have done it, but he may
know who did. I'll keep my eyes on him. Meanwhile be careful in
overhauling your things. Look out for bottles that smell as this one
did."

"I will!" promised Joe. "I guess I won't forget that odor. I can't tell
you how I thank you, Ham. You've done me a good turn!"

"Well, you did me one," was the answer. "I was down and out when you
gave me work, and I won't forget that in a hurry."

Joe pondered over what had happened as he performed his circus acts the
remainder of that day and evening. He shuddered at the narrow escape he
had had, and, when he had a chance, he carefully noted the conduct of
Harry Loper. But that young fellow did not seem at all to act like one
who had tried to do a dastardly trick. He was jolly and good-natured, as
he always was, albeit somewhat of a weak character.

The circus performances went off well, Joe and the other actors
receiving wild applause as they did their specialties. Joe's fire-eating
was eagerly watched, and when he slid down the rope on his head, through
the blazing hoops, the crowd went wild, as they did when, seemingly all
afire, he leaped into the tank.

"When you going to spring that sensation you've been talking of, Joe?"
asked Jim Tracy, at the conclusion of one afternoon show.

"Oh, pretty soon now," was the reply. "Ham Logan and I