the Missing Link, Ammonia the Gorilla, and Ephraim were all incapacitated
through an influenza epidemic.

They had a big evening, the holiday-makers flocked in so freely that
Professor Thunder abandoned his position as "spruicher," or public
speaker, and took charge of the interior, acting as explainer and
interpreter, leaving his little daughter Letitia to take the sixpences at
the door.

The night was warm, and as the stream of patrons was incessant, Nickie
the Kid found his duties most oppressive, and had serious thoughts of
shedding his skin.

Professor Thunder greatly excited the interest of the crowd by announcing
that a sum of one pound and a silver medal valued at one guinea would be
given to any person courageous enough to follow Madame Marve's example
and enter the cage containing Mahdi, the Missing Link.

Nickie was resentful, as this meant a most energetic demonstration of
savagery on his part, following a fawning and submissive manner, while
madame, wearing a large sombrero and a man's coat, moved about in the
cage, cracking a whip.

The people gathered before the cage gazed upon madame with stupid awe,
while the strange monster capered, or prostrated himself in great
humility at her bidding. When she had withdrawn, and after the Professor
had made his prodigal offer, it was Mahdi's duty to stimulate
ungovernable ferocity, in order to deter any too-venturesome spirits.
Nickie did his best. He bounded madly round the cage, he tore at the
straw, tooth and nail, he roared terribly, and snatched furiously at the