The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Devil's Hound Read Online Free PDF

was a pause. Whatever it was slid back again.
    That’s a spyhole , thought Lizzie. Whoever’s inside wants to know who’s knocking so loud.
    The door creaked open. Lizzie, Nora, and Erin all gasped as a straggly-haired head craned around to peer at them.
    â€œWhat do you three want?” the old woman said. An old black bonnet sat on her head. There was only one tooth in her lower jaw, and it stuck up like a tombstone on a hill.
    â€œWe wanted to see Dr. Gladwell, if you please, ma’am,” said Lizzie, bobbing in a curtsy.
    â€œIs that so?” the woman said nastily. “You look like you don’t have two pennies to rub together. The doctor’s a very busy man. He’s got no time for ragamuffins and freeloaders.”
    â€œRight, we’ll be off then.” Erin turned around, but Lizzie held onto her arm.
    From further inside came the sound of hearty laughter. “What are you doing, Mrs. Crowe, scaring the wits out of children?” It was a pleasant-sounding voice. Rich , Lizzie thought, but the sort of rich you can talk to.
    â€œIt’s one of the farm girls, Doctor,” Mrs. Crowe called back, “and some others I ain’t never seen before.”
    â€œThen let them in, my dear woman, let them in! Whatever the matter may be with these poor creatures, it won’t be helped by leaving them out in the rain, now will it? They’ll get all soggy!”
    Mrs. Crowe scowled at them. “In you come. Don’t waste his time.”
    They found Dr. Gladwell sitting by his fire in a huge room. His bald head was as shiny as a glass paperweight with two puffs of white hair at either side, and he smiled as wide as any of the clowns at Fitzy’s Circus. He stood up, revealing himself to be a little man with a round middle. “Hello!”
    Lizzie looked around in shock at all the objects sitting on shelves and in cases. There were stuffed animals, a globe, old medical instruments, more books than you could count . . . and there, on the desk, a human skull. A real one, missing its lower jaw.
    â€œWe’ll have a pot of tea, please, quick as you can,” the doctor told Mrs. Crowe. The old woman scurried off with a sour backward glance.
    The doctor shook hands with Lizzie, Becky, and Nora. His hands were warm and smooth. “Dr. Josiah Gladwell, at your service. Pleased to meet you all.” Stopping in front of Erin, he asked, “And who’s this? Too shy to shake hands?”
    Erin held out her swollen wrist by way of apology.
    Dr. Gladwell took it very gently in his hands. “I see. And how did this happen?”
    â€œA horse fell on me, Doctor.”
    Just for a second, the smile fell. “Careless. We can’t have that. I’m afraid the police will need to have words with the horse’s owner.”
    â€œNo, it wasn’t like that!” Erin said quickly. “She’s my horse. I’m with the circus. My sister and I, we’re the Amazing Sullivans.”
    â€œWell, I never!” The doctor let out a burst of delighted laughter. “I’ve never had a patient from a circus before. Now, listen, there will be no charge for my time today — a ticket to the show will do! You must tell me all about it.”
    With a big smile — Fitzy would be pleased there would be no doctor’s bill to pay — Erin did so. She talked excitedly while Dr. Gladwell examined her arm, poking and prodding and asking if it hurt. Finally, he unrolled a length of bandage and wound it around her arm and shoulder. Even Mrs. Crowe coming in with a tray full of tea things didn’t stop the chatter.
    â€œYou’re in luck, my dear,” the doctor said as he stirred his tea. “Your wrist is badly sprained, but it isn’t broken.”
    â€œSo I’ll be able to perform again soon?” Erin asked.
    â€œYou will, although I can’t say I entirely approve. Call me an old fuddy duddy, but the circus sounds