Joe called on his former foster-father, but did not find him at the house. Mrs. Blackford was in, however, and was greatly surprised to see Joe. She welcomed and kissed him, and there were traces of tears in her eyes. "Oh, Joe!" she exclaimed. "I am so sorry you left us, but perhaps it was all for the best, for you must live your own life, I suppose. I never really believed you took the money," she added, referring to an incident which was related in the book previous to this. "I'm glad to hear that," Joe said. "I want to thank you for all your care of me. I didn't like to run away, but it seemed the only thing to do. And, as you say, I think it has turned out for the best. The circus life appeals to me, and I'm getting on in the business." Mrs. Blackford was really glad to see Joe. She had a real liking for him, in spite of the fact that she had a poor opinion of circus folk and magicians, and she did not believe all the deacon believed of Joe. She could not forget the days when, while he was a little lad, she had often sung him to sleep. But these days were over now. Joe found the deacon at the feed store. The lad's former foster-father was not very cordial in his greeting, and, in fact, seemed rather embarrassed than otherwise. Perhaps he regretted his accusation against our hero. "Would you like to see the circus?" Joe inquired, as he was leaving the office. "I have some free tickets and----" "What! Me go to a circus?" cried the deacon, with upraised hands. "Never! Never! Circuses and theatres are the invention of the Evil One. I am surprised at your asking me!" Joe did it for a joke, more than for anything else, as he knew the deacon would not take a ticket. Bidding him good-bye, Joe went out to find his former chums. They, as may well be supposed, were very glad to see him. And that they envied Joe's position goes without saying. "Well, well! You certainly put one over on us!" exclaimed Charlie Ford admiringly. "How did you do it, Joe?" "Oh, it just happened, I guess. More luck than anything else." "When you got Professor Rosello out of the fire you did a good thing," commented Tom Simpson. "Yes, I guess I did--in more ways than one," admitted Joe. "And are you really doing trapeze acts?" inquired Henry Blake. "Come and watch me," was Joe's invitation. "Here is a reserved seat ticket for each of you." "Whew!" whistled Harry Martin. "Talk about the return of the prodigal! You'll make the folks here open their eyes, Joe. It isn't everybody who runs away from home who comes back as you do." Joe told his chums some of his experiences, and they went with him out to the circus grounds, where he took them about, as only a privileged character can, showing them how the show was "put together." "It sure is _great_!" exclaimed Charlie, ruffling up his red hair.