“Well, I’ll be very glad if I can,” said Joe. “I came to you to ask you to help me. I want a place where I can earn my living. I’ve run away from home, and I’m going to learn to be a magician. I thought perhaps——”
“Tell me the details later!” cut in the professor. “I’m in a peck of trouble now. My assistant, whom I always have with me when I play in the larger towns, left me in a fit of anger, and just when I needed him most. He wanted more money than I could afford to pay, and I’m left in the lurch. Now you know something about illusions, so, perhaps, with a little coaching, you can help me out. Will you do it?”
“Will I?” Joe cried. “Just give me the chance! It’s what I’ve been hoping for all along!”
CHAPTER XIII
JOE’S HELP NEEDED
Joe could hardly believe his good luck. When he decided to run away he had no settled plans in mind. All he expected to do was to seek out Professor Rosello, and ask him what would be the best means of starting in on the chosen career. But to be engaged without any delay as an assistant was beyond Joe’s wildest hopes.
It had come about by a curious trick of fate, and Joe was very much pleased.
“Do you really mean it?” he asked the professor, as they stood on the dimly lighted stage.
“Mean it? Of course I do. My assistant who was to help me with to-night’s performance suddenly left, and I didn’t know what to do.
“As soon as I recognized you, I remembered that you had some knowledge of our way of doing things. Then, too, as I told you before, you have in you naturally, and because of practice, the makings of a magician. So I think you can very easily fill the shoes of my late assistant. He was clever, but not reliable. Of course I can not pay you much money. I will begin on ten dollars a week, and I’ll pay all your expenses. Later on, if you do well, as I’m sure you will, I’ll increase the amount, for you may be able to help me do more elaborate tricks, and so we will draw better houses. Does that satisfy you?”
“Indeed it does!” cried Joe.