For a while Joe had been on the watch for some overt act on the part of Sid or Tonzo that would spoil an act and bring censure down on himself. But following that one attempt neither of the Spaniards did anything that Joe could find fault with. They were enthusiastic over some of the feats he performed, and worked in harmony with him. If they were jealous over Joe's popularity and the applause he often received as his share alone in some trick, they did not show it. "Oh, Joe!" exclaimed Helen one day, when they were in the small tent getting ready for the afternoon performance. "I have a letter from the New York lawyers." "What do they say?" Joe asked eagerly. "Did they send the money?" "No. But they thanked me for the copies of the proofs I sent, and they said they believed they were on the right track. They will write again soon. So it wasn't a joke, anyhow." "It doesn't look so," the youth agreed. "Is everything all right--Rosebud safe, and all that?" "Yes. He's feeling himself again." The trick horse had been ailing the day before, and Helen was a little worried about her pet. Joe and Helen wandered into the main tent, which was now set up. Joe wanted to get in a little practice on the trapeze, while Helen went in to watch, as she often did. The men were setting up the big glass tank in which the "human fish" performed, and when Joe came down from his trapeze, rather warm and tired, the water looked very inviting. "I've a good notion to go in for a swim," he said to Helen. "Why don't you?" she dared him. "It would do you good. It's such a hot day. I almost wish I could myself." "I believe I will," Joe said. "I've got a bathing suit in my trunk." The big tent was almost deserted at this hour, for the parade was in progress. Joe and Helen did not take part in this. Joe came back attired for a swim, and going up the steps by which Benny mounted to the platform on the edge of the tank before he plunged in, Joe poised there. "Here I go," he called to Helen. "Got a watch?" "Yes, Joe." "Time me then. I'm going to see how long I can stay under water." In he went head first, making a clean dive, for Joe was an adept in the water. He swam about in the limpid depths, Helen watching him admiringly through the glass sides of the tank. Then Joe settled down on the bottom as Benny was in the habit of doing. Helen nervously watched the seconds tick off on her wrist watch. When two minutes had passed, and Joe was still below the water, the girl became nervous. "Come on out, Joe!" she called. Joe could not hear her, of course. He waved his hand to her. He could not stay under much longer, he felt sure, but he did not want to give up. It was not until three seconds of the third minute had passed that he found it impossible to hold his breath longer, and up he shot, filling his lungs with air as he reached the surface. At that moment Benny Turton came into the tent, and saw some one in his tank.