Mr. Whiffin glared savagely.
“I tell you I won’t stand for anything like this!” he cried. “Judge or no judge, I have my rights.”
“And I’ll back you up to the limit,” said Mr. Spudger, who could see, in the way events were shaping themselves, that the circus was in danger of losing the services of one who had been trained in the business.
“I feel that the advantages which this boy may gain will so far offset any mere personal loss to Mr. Whiffin that I must ask your Honor to parole Joe Rodgers into the care of Captain Bunderley until his relatives can be communicated with.”
“Request granted!” exclaimed the magistrate.
Joe, highly delighted, grasped Dave Brandon by the arm.
“Dave,” he said, huskily, “you’re the best feller in the whole world.”
CHAPTER XXV
JOE’S CHANCE
Captain Bunderley, assuming charge of the Joe Rodgers case, a cause celebre on account of Judge Hampton’s participation in it, within a few days had received the following letter from a small village in Iowa:
“Dear Sir:—