MD3PAD 265-268

[Toby G Levy]

        After a brief flirting moment between Ethelmer and Tenebrae,
Chapter 26 comes to a close.

        Chapter 27 begins on page 266. They have wandered into an
apothecary's shop on Locust Street to purchase laudanum.  They are
surprised to bump into the famous Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is wearing
tinted eyeglasses of his own invention.

        Dixon asks Mason how much they should buy and Mason lets Dixon
decide so Dixon orders  100 cases, which Mason is outraged by. At this
point Franklin interjects to say that Daffy's Elixir may be put to many
uses, and so the trio meet. Franklin tells them that the apothecary, Mr.
Mispick, can mix a concoction identical to Daffy's Elixir for a tenth of
the brand name's cost. Or they can buy the ingredients and make their
own. He then raises a finger and recites "Strangers, heed my wise
advice, -- never pay the Retail Price."

Toby