"No, money is all that can cure that, and pretty soon he's going to
get plenty from these people's pockets."
Marmaduke's eyes bulged.
"Is he a robber?" he asked in an awed whisper.
The Toyman laughed.
"Well, some folks might call him that without being sued for libel,
but I 'spose he's within the law."
Marmaduke wondered how he could be in the law and in the wagon at the
same time, and the Toyman had to explain that he meant that the
strange man _ought_ to go to jail, but probably wouldn't. Just
why, he told them to "wait and see."
But, oh, we forgot--what was most important,--on the man's head was a
tall silk hat. It looked as if it needed the mange cure quite as much
as did the fur collar of his coat. And it was tipped on the side of
his head, like a crazy old mill Marmaduke had seen once, that was
about to fall in the river.
Behind the man was spread a banner with the man's name on it, Dr.
Philemon Pipp, and a big chart like those the teachers used in school.
"Whew!" whistled Jehosophat, "look at that ole bag of bones!"
For on that chart was a big picture of a skeleton, and, by the side of
the skeleton, other pictures, of a man with his skin taken off, which
showed his bones, and his muscles, and all his insides--very prettily
painted in blue and yellow and red.
That wasn't all there was on that wonderful wagon. Behind the chart,
they saw lots of bottles filled with nice black juice. It looked like
licorice water, and it made anyone's mouth water just to look at it!
But the man, Dr. Philemon Pipp, was talking.
And as he talked, he made queer gestures with his arms, as if he
wanted to scoop up all the people--or something the people had--into
his wagon. Perhaps it was their money he wanted to scoop up, though he
said nothing--as to that, just,--
"Now, gents, step up a little closer, pleeze."
Then he tilted his hat on the other side of his head, and put one hand
across his chest, the middle finger between the buttons of his vest,
and all in a very grand way.
"Tonight," he went on, "for youah entertainment, I will oferrr this
distinguished audience a marrvelous programme--an extrahorrrdinary
exheebeeshun of tricks and sleight of hand meeraculs such as nevah
befoh were puhfomed by human hands.
"Now watch, ladees, and keep yuh eyes peeled, gents--and mebbe youall
kin learn the secret."
Then he had to stop for a minute, for the small boys were climbing on
the hubs of the wheels.
"Heah, young man," he shouted, "have youall fohgot yuh mannahs? Do not
futhuh disturb muh discourse."
Of course, Jehosophat and Marmaduke couldn't understand all these
magnificent words, but they sounded quite splendid. No wonder the hat
was so big, when it had to cover a head with such long words inside.
Now Dr. Philemon Pipp had turned to the crowd.
"Have any of you gents got a quatah?--Thank you, sah," he said to a
man who handed him the money.
Then he took the silver quarter and asked a little boy to step up on
the wagon. Jehosophat wished he had been asked, so that he could have
learned the wonderful trick.
And now Dr. Pipp showed the coin to the little boy.
"You see it, young man?" he asked.
"Yes sir, yes sir," said the little boy, all excitement.