“Well, you certainly brought me good luck,” said the professor to Joe at the conclusion of the third night’s performance. “We took in good money. You have more than earned your salary.”
“I’m glad to know that,” answered Joe, much gratified. “Do you think I shall succeed as a magician?”
“I’m sure of it! You learn quickly, and you have natural and inherited ability. Practice will make you perfect. I will help you all I can.”
Joe had worked much more smoothly the third night than on either of the two previous ones. The “disappearance” trick had gone off well, and the professor had let Joe do one or two simple mystification acts himself.
“As we go along I will gradually let you do more and more on the stage,” said Professor Rosello, “until you get so you can sometimes take my place.”
“You are very kind,” returned Joe.
“I should think I ought to be,” the magician went on. “I owe my life to you, and it will take a good while to pay that debt.”
During the next few weeks Joe traveled about from town to town with Professor Rosello, helping him in many ways aside from on the stage. For there were many details to look after in hiring theatres, sending on posters in advance, transporting the baggage and so on.
Joe’s work was so successful, and his working of what tricks he did so smooth, that Professor Rosello let him take a certain specified part in the performances now.
“We’ll add some new tricks, too,” said the magician. “I can afford to do that now, as we are taking in a good deal of money.”