CHAPTER XVI
RINGS OF FIRE
Instantly Joe Strong lost interest in the "tramp fire-eater," as he afterward came to call the man. All the attention of the young magician was centered on what the treasurer had said.
"Are you certain of this?" asked Joe.
"Positive!" was the answer. "We've been keeping careful watch, paying special attention to the red serial numbers, and some duplicates have been taken in at the main entrance. The swindlers are at work again."
"But our new tickets!" exclaimed Joe. "The new style of paper and the precautions we have taken! What of that?"
In answer Mr. Moyne held out two tickets, both bearing the same serial number in red ink.
"Which is the bogus and which is the genuine?" he asked.
Joe looked carefully at the two. He examined them for a full minute.
"I can't tell!" he admitted.