Then Joe related his encounter with the discharged circus employee.

"Hum," mused Jim, when Joe finished. "So that's how the wind sets, is
it? He's hanging around here now trying to find out who is going to
take his place."

"And when he finds that I have," suggested Joe hesitatingly, "he may
cause trouble."

Jim Tracy started.

"I didn't think of that!" he said slowly. "You say he threatened you?"

"Well, not exactly me, for he didn't know who I was," replied Joe.
"But he said he'd make it decidedly hot for you, and for the man who
took his place."

Jim Tracy snapped his fingers.

"That's how much I care for Sim Dobley," he said. "I'm not afraid of
him. He talks big, but he acts small. I'm not in the least worried,
and if you are----"

"Not for a minute!" exclaimed Joe quickly. "I guess I can look after
myself!"

"Good!" exclaimed Jim. "That's the way I like to hear you talk. And
don't you let Sim Dobley, or either of the Lascalla Brothers, bluff
you. I'm running this show, not them! If they make any trouble you
come to me."

"I guess I can fight my own battles," observed Joe calmly.

"Good!" said the ring-master again. "I guess you'll do. This is your
dressing room," he went on. "Just leave your grip here, and it will be
safe. You won't have to do anything to-night but look on. I'll get
you a pair of tights by to-morrow and you can go on. Practise up in
the morning, and work up a new act with Sid and Tonzo if you like.
I'll introduce you to them at supper."

"Do you think they'll perform with me?" Joe wanted to know.

"They'll have to!" exclaimed the ring-master with energy. "This is my
circus, not theirs. They'll do as I say, and if there is any funny
business---- Well, there just won't be," he added significantly.

"Do Tonzo and Sid want Sim to come back and act with them?" asked Joe,
as he deposited his valise in a corner of a dressing room that was made
by canvas curtains partitioning off a part of a large tent.

"That's what they say. Tonzo told me that Sim would behave himself.
But I'm through with Sim, and he might as well understand that first as
last. You're going to take his place. Now I'll have to leave you.
You'll put up at the hotel with some of the performers. Here's your
slip that you can show to the clerk. I'll see you in the morning, if
not before, and make arrangements for your act. To-night you just look
on. Now I've got to go."

Joe looked about th