leave the box while
the trick is in progress except in spirit," the professor went on to
state, "I will suffer myself to be tied in with ropes, a committee from
the audience being invited to make the knots."

He took his place in the upright cabinet, and three men volunteered to
tie him in with ropes which were fastened at the back of the box, two
ends being left free.

The cabinet containing the professor was lifted up, and set down on the
stage again. Then the ropes were tied, Joe supervising this.

"Tie any kind of knot you like, gentlemen," Joe urged, "only make them
so you can quickly loosen them again, as the professor is very much
exhausted after this illusion." This, of course, was merely stage talk
for effect.

Finally the knots were tied, the committee retired, and Joe, taking his
place near the imprisoned performer, asked:

"Are you ready?"

He looked keenly at the professor as he asked this.

"It's all right Joe--I guess it's going to work properly," was the
low-voiced response. Then aloud Professor Rosello replied:

"I am ready!"

"Light out!" called Joe sharply. This was a signal for the stage
electrician to plunge the house into darkness. It was done at once.

Then, to the no small terror of some in the audience, there appeared in
the upright cabinet the figure of a grinning skeleton, outlined in
flickering flames. It was startling, and there was a moment of silence
before thunderous applause broke out at the effectiveness of the trick.

The clapping was at its height when Joe, who always stood near the
cabinet when this trick was being done, heard the agonized voice of the
professor calling to him:

"Joe! Joe! Something has gone wrong! There must be a short circuit!
I'm on fire! Joe, I'm being burned! Help me!"

CHAPTER II

JOE'S RESPONSIBILITY

Joe Strong was in a quandary. He did not quite know what to do. To
give an alarm--to let the audience know something had gone wrong with
the trick--that the professor was in danger of being burned to
death--to even utter the word "Fire!" might cause a terrible panic,
even though the heavy asbestos curtain were rung down on the instant.

On the contrary, Joe could not stand idly by without doing something to
save his friend, Professor Rosello, from the great danger. The
applause kept up, none in the audience suspecting anything wrong.

"Quick, Joe!" whispered the performer. "The current is burning me. I
can't stand it an