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She jumped to the ground and Dr. Fidelius addressed the throng. "Ladies and
Sirs: We all know affliction of one sort or another the pox, or boils, or
hallucinations. Let me state at the outset, my powers are limited. I cure
goiter and worm, costive impaction, stricture and bloat. I soothe the itch; I
heal the scabies. Especially I mourn the anguish of cracking and creaking
knees. Only one who suffers the complaint can know its' trouble!"
As Dr. Fidelius spoke, the girl moved about the crowd selling ointments and
tonics from a tray. Dr. Fidelius displayed a chart. "Observe this drawing. It
represents the human knee. When injured, as at the blow of an iron bar, the
kneecap recedes; the joint becomes a toggle; the leg rasps back and forth like
a cricket's wing, with clicks and cracking sounds."
Rughalt was profoundly stirred. "My knees might serve as models for his
discourse!" he told Carfilhiot.
"Amazing," said Carfilhiot.
Rughalt held up his hand. "Let us listen."
Doctor Fidelius spoke on. "The affliction has its remedy!" He picked up a
small clay pot and held it on high. "I have here an ointment of Egyptian
source. It penetrates directly into the joint and strengthens as it relieves.
The ligaments recover their tone. Persons creep into my laboratory on crutches
and stride out renewed. Why suffer this debilitation when relief can be almost
immediate? The ointment is valuable, at a silver florin per jar, but it is
cheap when one considers its effects. The ointment, incidentally, carries my
personal guarantee."
Rughalt listened with fascinated attention. "I must surely put the ointment to
a test.'"
"Come along," said Carfilhiot curtly. "The man is a charlatan. Don't waste
time and money on such foolishness."
"I have nothing better to waste it on," retorted Rughalt with sudden spirit.
"Were my legs once more nimble I would have money to spare'."
Carfilhiot looked askance toward Dr. Fidelius. "Somewhere I have seen that
man."
"Bah!" growled Rughalt. "It is not you who suffers the pangs; you can afford
skepticism. I must grasp at every straw! Hey there, Dr. Fidelius! My kneecaps
answer your description! Can you bring me relief?"
Dr. Fidelius called out: "Sir, come forward! Even from this distance I
diagnose a typical condition. It is known as 'Roofer's Knee,' or sometimes
'Robber's Knee,' since it often comes from the impact of the knee against
roof-tiles. Please step over here, so that I may examine your leg with care. I
can almost guarantee your surcease in a very short time. Are you a roofer,
sir?"
"No," said Rughalt curtly.
"No matter. A knee, after all, is a knee. If left untreated, it will
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eventually turn yellow, extrude bits of decaying bone and become a source of
annoyance. We shall forestall these events. Step over here, sir, behind the
wagon."
Rughalt followed Dr. Fidelius to the other side of the wagon. Carfilhiot
impatiently turned away and went off in search of Triptomologius, and
presently found the necromancer stocking the shelves of his booth with
articles brought by dog cart.
The two exchanged greetings and Triptomologius inquired the reason for
Carfilhiot's presence. Carfilhiot responded in oblique terms, hinting of
intrigues and mysteries which might not be discussed. "Tamurello was to leave
a message for me," said Carfilhiot. "Have you been in late contact with him?"
"As lately as yesterday. The message made no mention of you; he remains at
Faroli."
"Then I will make for Faroli with all speed. You must provide me a good horse
and ten gold crowns, for which Tamurello will reimburse you."
Triptomologius drew back in shock. "His message told me none of this!"
"Then send a new message, but be quick about it, as I must I depart Avallon at
once tomorrow at the latest."
Triptomologius pulled at his long gray chin. "I can spare no more than three
crowns. You must make do."
"What? Must I eat crusts and sleep under the hedge?"
After a period of undignified wrangling, Carfilhiot accepted five gold crowns,
a horse, suitably furnished, and saddle-bags packed with provisions of
carefully stipulated kind and quality.
Carfilhiot returned across the common. He paused by the wagon of Dr. Fidelius,
but the side doors were closed and no one could be seen: neither Dr. Fidelius,
the girl or boy, nor yet Rughalt.
Once more at the Black Bull, Carfilhiot seated himself at a table in front of
the inn. He sprawled out his legs, drank the yellow wine of muscat grapes, and
reflected upon the circumstances of his life. In recent days, his affairs had
not gone well. Images thronged his mind: he smiled at some and frowned at
others. Thinking of the Dravenshaw ambush, he uttered a small moan and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]