But in spite of the many questions asked him, as to his reason, Jack kept his suit on. Nor did he go out of the dressing-tent any more than he had to, for he thought the professor might be strolling about looking for him.
Whether or not his former guardian was on the lookout that afternoon and evening, Jack did not then find out. His one fear was lest the professor should go to the manager of the circus and make inquiries, for, in that event, the runaway boy would have been discovered. But Mr. Klopper evidently did not think of that, and when the show was over that night, and Jack found he had not been detected, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well, I should think you’d be glad to get those togs off,” remarked Sam, when Jack resumed his regular clothes, and started for the train.
“I am,” was the answer, but Jack said nothing more, and Sam wondered what was coming over his protégé.
But if Jack had only known what the professor had to tell him, how willingly would the boy have revealed himself! Mr. Klopper had come to the circus, not only to find our hero, but also to impart some valuable information. But now the news was lost to the boy.
CHAPTER XX
A TREACHEROUS ACT
For several weeks after this the circus traveled about from city to city, sometimes taking in large towns, and gradually working through the middle west, spending considerable time in Ohio and Indiana. Jack was beginning to like the life more and more, in spite of the hard work, for, though there was plenty of fun connected with it, there was also no lack of hardships.
He continued to improve in his act and had received another raise of salary, now getting eighteen dollars a week, which was as much as some of the other clowns earned.
Jack was careful with his money, and, at Sam’s suggestion, left most of it with the treasurer of the show. For there were many temptations to spend money when on the road, and Jack had more than once declined to gamble or spend his cash for drinks or cigars.
“I never saw such a tight-wad as you are,” said Ted Chester one day, when he had invited Jack to enter a card game with him. “Why don’t you loosen up a bit?”