noon
No body knew what had become of Dutchy and the Missing Link , and the Professor returned to the tent , with a soul seething bitterness . He found Nickie in his cage , sleeping soundly , and alongside him on the straw lay the bulky form of Schmitz , the publican , in whose hand was still clutched a bottle of stone gin . The Missing Link had returned hospitality for hospitality , and side by side like brothers dear the carousers slept . IT was shortly after noon , and the day was warm and still . No one was stirring in Waddy . Professor Thunder had given up the idea that his eloquence could conquer the general lassitude , and was snoring in the tent of the Egyptian Mystic . Madame Marve was shopping in the township , and Matty Cann , the Living Skeleton , had come down from his throne and was curled up on a horse-rug .