"Well, since we are sure of that let's ask the medicine man about him," went on Mrs. Brown.
"All right, I'm willing," said Mr. Brown good-naturedly. "We'll wait until the show is over though."
The medicine man kept on selling bottles. It was getting later now, and the crowd began to thin out. Seeing this the medicine man announced there would be no more music or sales that night, but that he would stop in this town on his next trip.
The flaring lamp was put out, and the medicine man began to close up his wagon for the night. Mr. Brown stepped up to him. The real or pretended colored boy was not in sight.
"I'd like to ask you a question," said Mr. Brown to the traveling medicine seller.
"About my wonderful pain destroyer?" asked "Dr. Perry," as he called himself.
"No. About that young banjo player you have with you."
"Oh, you mean Professor Rombodno Prosondo?"
"Yes," and Mr. Brown smiled. "I want to know if he is Fred Ward, who has run away from his home next door to us?"
