"It might," Helen admitted, '"but I don't believe it was. They don't handle any of your ropes, do they?"
"I always look after my own. Why?"
"Oh, I just wanted to know," and that was all the answer Helen would give.
As Joe went to his dressing room for that afternoon's performance he passed Señor Bogardi, the lion tamer. Something in the man's manner attracted Joe's attention, and he asked him:
"Aren't you feeling well to-day, Señor?"
"Oh, yes, as well as usual. It is my Princess who is not well."
"Princess, the big lioness?"
"Yes. I do not know what to make of her actions. She is never rough with me, but a little while ago, when I went in her cage, she growled and struck at me. I had to hit her—which I seldom do—and that did not improve her temper. I do not know what to make of her. I have to put her through her paces in the cage this afternoon, and I do not want any accident to happen.
"It is not that I am afraid for myself," went on the tamer, and Joe knew he spoke the truth, for he was absolutely fearless. "But if she comes for me and I have to—to do—something, it may start a panic. No, I do not like it," and he shook his head dubiously.
"Oh, well, maybe it will come out all right," Joe assured him. "But you'd better tell Jim, and have some extra men around. She can't get out of her cage, can she?"