The two talked matters over for a long while—until nearly midnight—and then Leo made a proposition.
“I am sure you will not find living with Daniel Hawkins agreeable,” he said. “So I am going to make you an offer. If you wish to travel with the circus I will try to arrange it for you. I think I can get you a place at eight or ten dollars a week to go up in the balloon with me.”
“Thank you; I’d like that,” replied Mart Keene.
CHAPTER XXXI.—A FALL FROM THE CLOUDS.
The next day Leo lost no time in interviewing Adam Lambert concerning Mart.
“He is clever and will in time make a good acrobat and balloonist,” he said.
The matter was talked over, and that afternoon Mart joined the “Greatest Show on Earth” on trial. He was to assist Leo in the balloon, Larry Greson having now to spend much of his time with Professor Ricardo, who was worse in health.
A week later found the circus in Denver. In the meantime nothing had been heard of Porler, but one night Leo came face to face with him.
The balloonist scowled and was about to speak, but suddenly changed his mind and walked away.
“You must be on guard against that man,” said Leo to Mart.