acts were over for the
time. Bowing to acknowledge the fervor of the audience, Joe started
toward his dressing apartment.

"I want to see you as soon as I can," he quickly told Helen. "But I have
to go away. It's about Ham," he added. "I've heard from him."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know. Just a scrawled note. The messenger who brought it is
going to take me to him."

"Oh, Joe, I'm so glad you've heard from him. I liked him."

"I did too. I hope I can continue to like him. But I'm afraid, from the
tone of his note, that he's broken his pledge. However, we can't expect
too much. Don't go away for an hour or so. I'll be back as soon as I can
and I'll tell you all about it."

"I'll wait for you," promised Helen.

As Joe hurried across the arena he saw the tent man who had given him
the note.

"Where's the boy?" he asked.

"I took him to your tent. Paddy Flynn is there and Loper. Is anything
the matter, Mr. Strong?"

"Oh, nothing that can't be made right, I hope."

Joe found a red-haired boy sitting on the edge of a folding chair in the
dressing tent. The lad was looking wonderingly about the place.

"Did you bring this note?" asked Joe, showing the crumpled paper.

"Sure I did! And say, I wish I could see the show!"

"You can to-night after you take me to Mr. Logan," replied Joe. "You
know where he is, don't you?"

"Sure I do! Didn't he give me the note to bring youse?"

"Where is he?"

"Down in Kelly's joint. I live next door."

"What is Kelly's joint?"

"A saloon," answered the red-haired boy. "De name on de winders is cafe,
but they don't pronounce it that way--anyhow some of 'em don't. It
oughter be cave I guess. It sure is a joint!"

"Is Mr. Logan there?" asked Joe.

"Sure he is. Upstairs in one of de rooms. He's been on a terrible spree
he said, but he's sober now and sick--gee, mister, but he sure was sick.
Me mudder helped take care of him."

"I'm glad of that," said Joe. "We'll go to him at once. Where is
Kelly's--er--cafe?"

"Down by de river near de shipyards," answered the red-haired lad.

For an instant Joe hesitated, but only for an instant. The district
named, as he well knew, was a bad one. It was also dangerous.

But it was still afternoon, though growing late. It would not be dark
for some time, however, and Joe felt that he would be safe enough in
going alone. At night he would have taken some one with him.

But there were two reasons why he did not want to do this now.