The gaudy label on a small box read:
Sovereign Remedy. Trick No. 10.
Never known to fail. Surprising in its effects.
Directions:—Borrow a sovereign. Request the lender to take a seat. Ask him how he feels. Tell him he is looking off-colour. Suggest headache. Say you will brighten him up, that you will make his head glow pleasantly, etc. Palm the sovereign in your left hand. Empty contents of box into your right. Rub the powder well into gent's head, which will become golden (metallic). Then proceed as in Trick No. 6.
The directions seemed clear enough.
"Sit down," said Warner.
The native obeyed, squatting on the ground and spreading his loin cloth over his knees like an apron.
"I am going to take away your pains."
"Thank you, sir."
It suddenly occurred to Warner that, though the native might have a shilling, he certainly would not possess a sovereign, so he took one from his own pocket, wishing he had thought of this before.