“By Jove! That’s right!” cried Joe. “That will look suspicious.”
“Then you did run away from them?” asked Harry.
“Yes, but not because I had robbed the deacon. I was late for the freight. You see it pulled out earlier than usual because there wasn’t so much of the fireworks to load, on account of the fire. I didn’t want to miss it, and I ran. I wouldn’t stop when the constables called to me. Yes, that sure will look suspicious;” and Joe shook his head.
“But we don’t believe you did it,” said Harry. “Tom, Charlie, Henry and I will stick to you, Joe.”
“Thanks. Did Tom get his suit all right?”
“Oh, yes. But I sure was surprised when I saw you come out on the stage to-night. We hadn’t any idea where you’d gone, though Deacon Blackford said he guessed you’d join some circus.”
“This isn’t quite a circus,” said Joe. “But I like it,” and then he told his chum his experiences since joining his fortunes with those of Professor Rosello.
“Say, it’s great!” cried Harry, with sparkling eyes. “I wish I were a magician.”
“Oh, I’m not one yet,” replied Joe. “It takes a lot more experience than I’ve had. But I’m learning. How did you like the show?”
“Fine! That watch trick of yours was a dandy. You didn’t really smash the watch and put it together again, did you, Joe?”