"They may want another partner," suggested Joe.
"That's right," agreed the ring-master. "But there's one thing, though. If they ask to have Sim Dobley back again I'll tell 'em it can't be done. I won't have that fellow around. That's flat, let me tell you."
Sim Dobley at one time was one of the Lascalla trio. He was discharged for misconduct, and Joe was given his place in an emergency. This angered Sim and he threatened revenge. Though the other two Lascallas—Tonzo and Sid—wanted Sim back, and though Joe suspected them of at least once trying to cause him to get a humiliating fall, nothing had come of Sim's threats.
"Yes, they may want him back," Joe admitted. "But I don't know just what I can do. I'll go on with as much of my trapeze work here as I can, and also do the tank act. But when we move on——"
"We'll talk of that later," interrupted the ring-master. "Well, what is it?" he asked as a man came running up to him.
"A boy just got clawed by the lion," the man said. "Went too near the cage."
"Blame those kids!" cried Jim. "Well, I'll be right over. Have some of the animal men attend to the lad, and I'll get a doctor. Was he one of our boys?"
"No, some kid who wanted to carry water for the elephants. He isn't clawed bad—just on his hand."
"Well, I'm glad it isn't bad."
In spite of his vexation against the lad, Jim had a kind spot in his heart.