One was
that no one whom he felt he could trust to be discreet could be taken
away from the circus, which was not yet over, though Joe's acts were
finished. Another reason was that he did not want the possible
degradation of Logan seen by any of his former associates. Possibly he
might come back to the show, and he would always have a feeling of shame
if he knew that those with whom he worked had seen him recovering from
a "spree," as the red-haired lad called it.

"I've got to go away," said Joe to Paddy Flynn. Joe and the lad had
talked at one side of the tent and in low tones, so the young circus man
knew their voices had not been overheard by Paddy and the man he was
guarding, Harry Loper. "I'll be back as soon as I can," went on the
young fire-eater. "Meanwhile you stay here, Loper. Paddy will take care
of you, and when I come back I'll have a talk with you."

"All right," assented the other wearily. "I feel better now I've told
you."

Joe and Micky Donlon, which the red-haired boy said was his name, though
probably Michael was what he had been christened, were soon on their way
toward the river and the location of one of the shipyards.

"Are youse sure I can see de show to-night?" asked Micky eagerly, as
they walked along.

"Positive," said Joe. "Here's a reserved seat ticket now. Two, in fact,
in case you want to take some one."

"I'll take me mudder," declared the lad. "I got a girl, but she's goin'
wit another feller. He bought two tickets, but dey wasn't reserved
seats. I didn't have the dough--dat's why she shook me, I guess. But
when I flash dese on her--say, maybe she won't want to shine up at me
again! But nothin' doin'! I'll take me mudder. She needs a change after
waitin' on dat guy what's been on a spree."

"How long has Mr. Logan been ill?" asked Joe.

"Oh, he's been in Kelly's joint for a week."

"He must have been waiting for the circus to arrive," thought Joe. "He
knew we were booked for here. Poor fellow!"

Joe was glad it was still light when he entered the district where
Kelly's cafe, or saloon, to be more exact, was situated. For the place
was most disreputable in appearance, and the character of men loitering
about it would have made it a place to stay away from after dark.

Suspicious eyes looked at Joe as he entered the place with his young
guide.

"He's come to see de sick guy," Micky explained to the bartender.

"Well, I hope he's come to pay what's owin'," was the surly com