"I saw a letter you dropped in the tent, and I followed. But how did you happen to locate Sanford?" "By adopting just what Bill Watson said was the only plan. I made believe I wanted to buy more stock. Bill said that was the only way to catch Sanford. If I had tried to find him to get my money back he would have kept out of my way. But when he thought I might have more cash for him, he wrote and told me where I could find him. So I just waited until our show came here and then I called on Mr. Sanford. "I was just begging him to give me back the money for the oil stock when you came in on us, Joe." "Well, I'm glad I did." "So am I. I hardly think he'd have paid me if it had not been for you. How did you make him settle?" "Oh, I just sort of 'held him up' for it," but Joe did not explain the way he had actually "held up" the swindler. "I'm so glad to get my money back!" Helen sighed as they reached the circus grounds, over which dusk was settling, for it was now early fall. "And I'm glad, too," added Joe. "Then next time you buy oil stock----" "There'll not be any next time," laughed Helen, as she went to give Rosebud his customary lumps of sugar. And that night, in the Sampson Brother's Show, there was an impromptu little celebration over the recovery of Helen's money. Later Joe learned that Sanford gave up his place in the law office. Perhaps the swindler was afraid Mr. Pike would find out about his underhand transactions. Sanford, it seemed, had done some law business for the oil company, and they let him sell some of the worthless stock for himself, allowing him to keep the money--that is what Joe did not make him pay back. It was the night of the final performance. The performers went through their acts with new snap and daring, for it was the last time some of them would face the public until the following season. A few would secure engagements for the winter in theatres, but most of them would winter with the circus. When the tents came down this time they would be shipped to Bridgeport, where many shows go into winter quarters. "Well, Joe," remarked Helen, as she came out of the ring just as Joe finished his last thrilling feat, "what are you going to do? Will you be with us next season?" "I don't know. I've had several offers to go with hippodrome exhibitions, and on a theatrical circuit." "Oh, then you are going to leave us?" Joe looked at Helen. There seemed to be a new light in her eyes. And though she was smiling, there was something of disappointment showing on her face. With parted lips she gazed at Joe. "I thought perhaps you would stay," she murmured, her eyes downcast. "I--I guess I will!" said Joe in a low voice. "This is a pretty good circus after all." And so Joe stayed. And what he did in the show will be related in the next volume of this series, to be called: "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish; Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank."