Part 3 (1/2)

”h.e.l.lo! What's this? There appears to be something else in the bottle!” exclaimed Joe, apparently surprised, as he held the flask up to his ear.

”Yes, I'll let you out--right away,” he said aloud. ”There must be some mistake,” he went on, ”there is an animal in this bottle. I'll have to break it open to get it out.”

He went quickly back on the stage with the bottle, took up a hammer, and holding the flask over a table gently cracked the gla.s.s. In an instant he held up a little guinea pig.

There was a moment's pause, and then the applause broke out at the effectiveness of the trick.

How was it done?

A trick bottle, you say at once. That is right. The bottle was made with three compartments. One held milk, another grape juice and the third water. Joe could pour them out in any order he wished, there being controlling valves in the bottom of the bottle.

But how did the guinea pig get inside?

It was another bottle. The bottom of this one had been cut off, and, after the guinea pig had been put inside, the bottom was cemented on again. This was done just before the trick was performed. On his way back to the stage, after having given the lady the gla.s.s of water, Joe subst.i.tuted the bottle containing the guinea pig for the empty one that had held the three liquids. This was where his quick sleight-of-hand work came in. When he gently broke the bottle it was easy enough to remove the little animal, which had been used in tricks so often that it was used to them.

Joe brought the show to a satisfactory conclusion, perhaps a little earlier than usual, as he was anxious to get to the hotel and see how the professor was. The audience seemed highly pleased with the illusions the boy wizard gave them, and clapped long and loud as Joe made his final bow.

He left the theatrical people and his helpers to pack up, ready for the trip to the next town, and hastened to the hotel. There he found Professor Rosello much better, though still suffering somewhat.

”Do you think you will be able to go on to-morrow night?” asked Joe.

”I don't know,” was the answer. ”I can tell better to-morrow.”

But when the next day came, after a night journey that was painful for Mr. Crabb, he found that he could not give his portion of the performance.

And as Joe alone was not quite qualified to give a whole evening's entertainment it was decided to cancel the engagement. It was not an important one, though several good ”dates” awaited them in other towns on the route.

”I think I need a rest, Joe,” the professor said ”My nerves are more shattered than I thought by that electrical accident. I need a good rest to straighten them out. I think we'll not give any performances for at least a month--that is I sha'n't.”

Joe looked a little disappointed on hearing this. His living depended on working for the professor.

”I say I'll not give any more performances right away, Joe,” went on the professor, ”but there's no reason why you shouldn't. I have been watching you of late, and I think you are very well qualified to go on with the show alone. You could get a helper, of course. But you can do most of my tricks, as well as your own. What do you say? I'll make you a liberal offer as regards money. You can consider the show yours while I'm taking a rest. Would you like it?”

”I think----” began Joe, when there came a knock on the door of their hotel room.

”Telegram for Joe Strong!” called the voice of the bellboy.

CHAPTER IV

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

Professor Rosello and Joe Strong looked at each other. It was not unusual for the magician to receive telegrams in reference to his professional engagements, but Joe up to now had never received one of the lightning messages which, to the most of us, are unusual occurrences.

”Are you sure it's for me?” Joe asked the boy, as he opened the door.

”It's got your name on it,” was the answer. That seemed proof enough for any one.

”Maybe it's from your folks--the deacon,” suggested the professor.