me. I'll make you two
my official advisers."

"I accept with pleasure," Joe answered, with a bow.

"And that reminds me," went on Bill. "I'm going to give you the
addresses of some people who might know about your mother's folks in
England, Joe. As I told you, they disowned her when she married your
father, though there wasn't a finer man going. But he was an American,
and that was one thing they had against him, and another was that he
was a public performer.

"I think, too, that they rather blamed him for your mother's going into
the circus business, Joe. Your mother was always a good horsewoman, so
I have understood. She took part in many a fox hunt in England, and in
cross-country runs, always coming out in front. And when your father
met her he, as I understand it, suggested that, just for fun, she try
circus work. She took it up seriously, and Madame Hortense became one
of the foremost circus riders of her time. But from then on her name
was forgotten by her relatives, and her picture was, so to speak,
turned to the wall."

"I wish I could get one of those pictures," said Joe thoughtfully. "I
have only a very small one that was in my father's watch. I'd like a
large one, for I can't remember, very well, how she looked."

"She was a handsome woman," said the clown. "It may be that you can
get a picture of her from England--that is, if they saved one. I'll
give you the address of some folks you can write to. It might be well
to get a firm of lawyers here to take the matter up for you."

"I believe it would be best," agreed Joe.

"Why not let my lawyers--notice that, _my_," laughed Helen. "Why not
let my lawyers act for you, Joe? That is, after we see what sort they
are. They seem honest."

"Another good idea!" commented the young performer. "I'll do it. You
say one of them is coming to see you?"

"So he says in this letter."

"Does he know where to find you?"

"Yes; I have told him the places where the circus will show for the
next two weeks. He can find the place easily enough, and inquire for
me. Oh, I'm so anxious to know how rich I'm going to be!"

"I don't blame you," chuckled Bill. "Now, Joe, if I had a pencil and
paper I'd give you those addresses I spoke of."

Joe supplied what was needed, and obtained the names of some men and
women--circus performers who had been associated with his mother. Joe
wrote to them, asking the names of his mother's relatives in England,
and