But Joe Strong did not forget the promise which he had written on Benny's pad—the promise which was under the pillow of the "human fish."
CHAPTER VII
JOE'S OFFER
Joe Strong turned over in his berth in the circus sleeping car. Something had awakened him from a sound sleep. At first he was not aware what it was, but as his brain cleared he realized that it was some sound of confusion outside the car.
"Where are we?" he asked, for he saw Tonzo Lascalla, his trapeze partner, peering from between the curtains of his berth across the aisle.
"I think we are in," was the answer, meaning that the circus train had reached its destination. "We are on the siding, but it isn't time to get up yet, thank goodness."
"Yes, let us sleep," begged a yawning voice. "Keep still, can't you?"
"Sounds as if something had happened," commented Joe. He looked out of the window of his berth, but it was too dark yet to see more than a confused jumble of black shapes moving about. Joe saw another train on the track alongside of the sleeping cars. It was a train of "flats," on which the animal cages were carried.
"Look out now! There he goes! Get after him, some of you men!" a voice ordered.
There was a crash of breaking wood, more shouts and the noise of a cracking whip.