h red outlining. Class, but flashy, if
you see what I mean. You never saw the like, kid."

Charley shook his head. "O.K.," he said. "But what does this have to do
with--"

"Well," Ed cut in, "that was years ago; I was a youngster, pretty well
just setting out. And Gondo drew crowds--big crowds. Lifting a wagonload
of people on his back--that was one of his tricks. I think Sandow
himself used to do it, but he had nothing on Gondo; the guy had style.
Class. And he was a draw; I was working for J. C. Hobart Shows then, and
there was nothing on the lot to top him."

Ed paused, rubbing at his chin reflectively.

"Then the crowds started to fall off," he said. "Just like with you,
Charley. And nobody knew why. Gondo was doing the same act--no change
there. So the change had to be some place else."

"Same with me," Charley said.

"Sure," Ed said. "The same with you. Charley, do you follow the
papers?"

"I guess so," Charley said. "One, anyway. My mother sends it to me from
Chicago. She likes the--"

"Sure," Ed said. "Well, did you ever hear about a Dr. Schinsake? Edmund
Charles Schinsake?"

Charley snorted in surprise. "Who do you think you are?" he said. "Santa
Claus?"

"What?"

"Nothing," Charley said. "It's just ... well, nothing. But sure, I know
the guy. And so do you." He explained.

"Professor Lightning?" Ed said. "I never saw a picture. But it doesn't
matter--except maybe it'll make the guy easier to see. Because this is
it, Charley; I think you ought to go and see him."

There was a little silence.

"You, too?" Charley said. "You mean, so I can stop being a poor, poor
cripple and stop making lots of money? Is that what you're talking
about?"

"Listen, Charley," Ed said. "I--"

"Just give up," Charley cut in. "That's what you want me to do. Just
give up and go to the good old doctor and ask him to give me some arms.
Is that what you wanted to tell me about this Gondo of yours? How he
just gave up and got a nice little white cottage some place and got a
nice little low-paying job and lived unhappily ever after, because a
carny isn't a healthy, well-adjusted life? Is that it, Ed?"

Ed Ribbed at his chin. "No, Charley," he said. "No, kid. Not at all. But
I think you ought to--"

"Well, I won't," Charley said. "Look, Ed: I want you to get this
straight. I don't care who's against me, or what they've got planned.
I'm not going to give up. I'm going to find out what's going on, and I'm
going to lick