"I guess this will do you, Joe," remarked Sid, holding out the trapeze. "It's the only one we have like yours."
"Thanks," responded the young performer. "That will do nicely. I've got to hustle now and——"
Joe turned away, but became aware that Helen was leaning down from the saddle and whispering to him.
"Joe! Joe!" she exclaimed, making sure the Lascalla Brothers could not hear her, for they were On the other side of Rosebud. "Joe, don't use the trapeze!"
"Why not?"
"Because I'm sure that's the one I saw those two men 'ripening,' as they call it. They had pulled back the silk cover, and were pouring something on the rope. Look at it before you use it. Be careful!"
Then she flicked Rosebud with the whip and rode into the ring to do her act amid a blare of trumpets. Joe stood there, holding the trapeze. The two Spaniards were starting their act now, and were high up in the air.
"Whew!" whistled Joe. "I wonder what's up. Can it be that this rope is doctored? I won't let them see me looking at it."
He hurried over to his own particular place in the tent.
"Lively, Joe!" called Jim Tracy. "You're late as it is!"