"Hurrah!" he cried. "This is good news! Now, fellows, I'll tell you why I wouldn't spend my money treating you. I wanted to, badly enough, but I had other ways for my cash. Now I can tell you, since it's all over and a success. But first let me read you this."
He held up the message and read:
"Operation an entire success. Benny will both hear and speak. He can rejoin circus by next season and do tank work if he likes."
"Who's that from?" asked Helen, coming up in time to hear the message.
"From the celebrated surgeon—a friend of Dr. Wertz," said Joe. "I hired him to operate on Benny Turton to save him from becoming deaf and dumb. It took a lot of money, but I'm glad I had it saved. And that's why I had to pose as—a 'tight-wad,' fellows."
Joe's voice faltered, but there was a happy look on his face.
Tonzo Lascalla stepped forward. He held out his hand and said:
"I want to beg your pardon, Joe Strong. I have misjudged you!"
"So have I!" exclaimed Sid.
They were both very much in earnest, and as they shook hands there were tears in Joe's eyes. But they were happy tears. Others of the circus folk who had not understood Joe made haste to make amends, and, for a time, there was a happy group.