Read A Metropolitan Murder for Free Online Page B

promise you long life and health, nor can any fellow on God’s green earth. But there is steps a man may take, good long strides, which sets you on the right road. What’s that? Proof, you say? The Compound is its own proof positive, ma’am, rest assured. Really? Well, let us put it to the test. Now, what do I see here? You, Miss? Yes, you at the back. I ain’t a gentleman for saying it, but you are suffering from an infirmity, are you not? Do come forward, if you will?’
    A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years of age steps forward from the back of the crowd; she wears a striped cotton dress, and her face is barely visible under a tangled web of chestnut-brown hair that falls loose about her shoulders. As she walks to the front shevisibly limps, and a few of those nearby notice that she cradles her left hand under her shawl, supporting it with her other arm. The street doctor beckons her forward and puts his arm around her, though she looks uncomfortable to be the focus of everyone’s attention.
    â€˜Now, Miss, I ain’t so green that I can’t see something is amiss with that peg of yours, and your hand there. Now show us your arm, will you? No need to be ashamed of a natural infirmity, Miss. Go on.’
    The girl blushes, but brings out her arm, showing her hand to be crooked and arthritic in appearance, and blistered about the knuckles. A couple of women in the crowd mutter in sympathy.
    â€˜Now, I don’t know what your hospital man would say of it, but that is what we commonly called “withered”, ain’t it, my friends? That is an awful burden for a young gal, ain’t it? Now, here you go, my beauty, you try a sip of this.’
    He hands her a bottle from his tray, laid out beside the box, and the girl hesitantly takes a couple of sips.
    â€˜Now,’ says the man, gravely, ‘tell us how you find the effect, if you will?’
    â€˜A little better,’ says the girl, shyly, still hiding her face beneath her hair.
    â€˜It make you feel a little better? And that is just two sips, ladies and gentlemen. Now, Miss, I do not want to supply you with false hopes, but may I make a suggestion?’
    The girl looks puzzled and nods.
    â€˜Apply a couple of drops of the Compound to your hand, Miss.’
    â€˜My hand?’
    â€˜Yes, to your hand. And rub it in. Rub it in good.’
    The girl looks shocked, but takes up the bottle again and drips a couple of drops of the liquid on to her crooked wrist. She gives back the bottle, then massagesthe liquid along the length of her hand, rubbing her fingers vigorously. As she does so, a delighted smile gradually spreads across her lips and, when she is done, her hand is suddenly not half as crooked as it was, and the blisters have all but vanished. The street doctor looks triumphant, and motions to everyone to gather closer.
    â€˜There, Miss, now how is that? Not bad for a free sample, is it?’
    â€˜I can move my fingers!’
    â€˜Do you hear that, ladies and gentlemen? Her fingers! Now, that is what we might call Remarkable, is it not? Now, I cannot bring myself to name the full price for this Remarkable Compound, not when we have witnessed this here child’s happiness. I will not say it is elevenpence, nor tenpence, but I must say ninepence unless I am bent upon starving my own poor family. Miss, would you care to buy an actual bottleful? You would? Yes? Anyone else?’
    And several hands fumble in pockets and purses, all of them willing to give the doctor’s elixir a try. One, however, is a short gentleman in a decent suit of clothes, who swiftly pays his money, and immediately raises a bottle of the liquid to his lips. He swills it around his mouth thoughtfully, then stretches out his arms in an attempt to prevent further transactions.
    â€˜This, sir,’ he exclaims, ‘is a mockery of the medical science. It is nothing more than sugared water!’
    The street doctor frowns,