But Jack had been warned by his friend, Sam Kyle, to have nothing to do with any card games, and not to drink or smoke. He would probably not have done so anyhow, as the boy had the advantage of excellent home training; but temptation is sometimes very strong, and Sam did not want to see his protégé get into bad habits. “There’s nothing in this sporting life--drinking, smoking, and gambling,” said Sam. “I’ve done my share of it, and I know what I’m talking about. It’s fun for a while, but you have to pay a dear price for it. “I used to squander my money that way, but an old man gave me some good advice in time, and I quit. Now I’m saving up for the time when I get too old to amuse folks any longer.” “And I’m saving up to try and find my folks,” said Jack. “Haven’t you had any word from them?” “Not a word since I ran away. I don’t suppose I could have received any, traveling about as we do. Sometimes I wish I had stayed with the professor. He was real mean to me, and would have had me arrested. But even then I might have heard some word from my father or mother. Now I’m not likely to unless I can get to China, or unless I go back to the professor.” “I’d advise you to do the last,” said Sam. “It’s a long way to China, and I doubt if you could do much, or find out much, after you got there. Go back to the professor.” “But he’ll have me arrested. I don’t want to be locked up for something I didn’t do.” “I don’t blame you for that. But wait a while. There’s no need to go back right away. Finish out the season with us, if you like. I know the old man would hate to lose you now.” “I want to stay, too,” said Jack. “I’m getting to like the life very much.” “Well, then, stick it out till fall. Then write to the professor, asking for news of your folks. He’ll give you some, if he has it, even though he wants to arrest you. But perhaps by then he’ll get over his anger, or maybe he’ll find, in the meanwhile, that you didn’t steal the cup. Anyway, you can write to him, and promise to return, if he will not have you locked up, until you have a chance to prove that you’re innocent. That’s what I’d do.” “I guess I will,” decided Jack. “I’ll write to him when it’s about time for the circus to close up.” “That won’t be for a couple of months yet,” said Sam. “Maybe you’d better write now.” “No, if I do, very likely he’d find out where I was and have me locked up. I’ll wait a while.” But if Jack had only written then he would have saved himself much anguish of heart, and not a little physical suffering. But he did not know, not being able to look into the future. One day, after he had finished his performance in the ring, Jack went to the property man. “I wish I could have my platform made a little higher,” he said. “What for?” “Well, there isn’t much chance for the air to get under the umbrella when I jump off now. If I made a higher leap I could work the wings a little better, for I’d be in the air longer. Can you raise the platform?”