Helen had heard nothing favorable from the lawyer, and she and Joe had about given up hope of getting back the money.
The circus had reached a good-sized city in the course of its travels, and was to play there two days. On the afternoon of the first day, just before the opening of the performance, Joe went to Helen's tent to speak to her about something.
"She isn't here," Mrs. Talfo, the fat lady, told him. "She's gone."
"Gone!" echoed Joe. "Isn't she going to play this afternoon?"
"I believe not—no."
"But where did she go?"
"You'll have to ask Jim Tracy. I saw her talking to him. She seemed quite excited about something."
"I wonder if anything could have happened," mused Joe. "They couldn't have discharged her. That act's too good. But it looks funny. She wouldn't have left of her own accord without saying good-bye. I wonder what happened."