He repeated his success that evening, and he was more than gratified when Mr. Paine, seeking him out at the close of the show, announced that his wages would be raised to fifteen dollars a week. “I’ll soon get to China at that rate,” thought Jack, for, since he had to spend nothing for board, he could save nearly all his salary. With practice, Jack became more proficient in odd little parts, until in about two weeks he was one of the best attractions of the ring. His act was mentioned on the bills, though he was given no name, for he had not yet arisen to be a star of that magnitude. Meanwhile the circus was traveling about from city to city, and Jack was becoming accustomed to the free and easy life, though it had its drawbacks, especially in a storm. “Where do we show to-morrow?” asked the boy of Sam, one night when they were in the sleeping car. “Northrup is the next stop.” “Northrup? That’s not far from where I live--or used to live,” he added, as he thought rather sadly that he had no real home now. “Maybe I’ll see some of the boys from Westville,” he went on. Jack was strolling about the next morning, after a good breakfast, watching the men put up the big tent, an operation of which he never tired. There was the usual crowd of boys looking on, and our hero glanced among them for the possible sight of some one he might know. Often, when he was younger, he had gone from Westville to Northrup to see the circus come in. But he saw no familiar faces, and was turning to go back to the dressing-tent, for it was nearly time to get ready for the street parade, when he was startled by hearing a voice ask of one of the canvasmen: “Is this Bower & Brewster’s circus?” “Sure thing,” replied the man shortly. “Thank you, my man. I am looking for a certain person, and I heard he was with this show.” Jack’s heart almost stopped beating. He knew that voice only too well. It was that of Professor Klopper. And a guarded look at the man who had asked the question showed the boy that he was right. Hidden behind a tent-pole wagon, Jack peered cautiously out, and beheld the figure of his former guardian, stern and forbidding, looking about him. “He’s after me,” thought Jack. “What shall I do? I’ll never let him arrest me. I must hide! No, I know a better plan than that,” he added to himself. “I’ll make up in my clown outfit. He’ll never know me then, even if he does see me. But I’ll take precious good care to keep out of his sight.” CHAPTER XIX JACK’S TRICK Hurrying to the dressing-tent, but taking good care not to get within sight of the professor, Jack quickly donned his clown suit. “What’s up?” asked several of the other performers, who were lounging about, or going over their trunks. “It isn’t time for the parade, is it?”