"I knew both of them," said Bill. "I didn't connect your name with them at first, Strong not being uncommon. But when you mentioned your father, the professor, why, it came to me in a flash. So you're Madame Hortense's son, eh?"
"Did you know my mother well?" asked Joe.
"Know her?" cried the veteran clown. "I should say I did! Why, she and I were great friends, and so were your father and I, but I did not see so much of him, as he was in a different line. But your mother, Joe! Ah, the profession lost a fine performer when she died. I never thought I'd meet her son, and in a circus at that.
"But I'm glad you're with us, and I want to say that if you have Helen, here, on your side, you've got one of the finest little girls in all the world."
"I found that out as soon as I joined," said Joe.
"Trust you young chaps for not losing any chances like that," chuckled the clown. "Well, I'm glad you two are friends. They tell me you're quite an addition to the Lascalla troupe."
"I'm glad I've been able to do so well," Joe said.
"And how have you been, Helen?" the old clown wanted to know.
"First rate. And, oh, Bill. We have such a mystery for you—Joe and I!"
"A mystery, Helen?"