o that in
order to secure sufficient length for the flap he had to encroach on
the hair-covered scalp. There was no help for it. With some misgivings
the surgeon shaved the hair and then performed the operation with
admirable success.

His fears, however, in time were realized. All around the end of the
nose there appeared a broad line of black hair. When the skin was in
its normal position above the forehead the hair on the upper edge of it
had grown downward; but as the skin was inverted in its new position
the hair, of course, grew upward, curving towards the eyes. It gave the
man a grotesque and hideous appearance, and this made him furious. The
surgeon, having a quick wit and a regard for the integrity of his
bones, introduced him to Signor Castellani, proprietor of the Great
Oriental Dime Museum, and that enterprising worthy immediately engaged
him. And thus it was that the man became the greatest curiosity in the
world.

Among his companions in the museum were the Severed Lady, who
apparently was nonexistent below the waist; the Remarkable Tattooed
Lady, who had been rescued from Chinese pirates in the Coral Sea, and
some others. To them the tuft-nosed man was known as Bat--surmised to
be a contraction of Bartolommeo.

The other singular man with which this narrative is concerned was a
small, delicate, mild-mannered, impecunious fellow, who made a living
by writing for the press. He and Castellani were friends, and he was on
excellent terms with the "freaks." But as this narrative is to tell the
little secrets of the museum, it should be explained that the real
object of the young man's deepest admiration was Mademoiselle Zoe, the
Severed Lady, billed also as the Wonderful French Phenomenon. She was
known in private life as Muggie (formerly Muggy, and probably
originally Margaret), and she was the only daughter and special pride
of Castellani. Zoe was rosy-cheeked, pretty, and had a freckled nose.
The impecunious writer was named Sampey. Sampey secretly loved Zoe.

As the Severed Lady, Mademoiselle Zoe's professional duties were
monotonous. They gave her abundant opportunities for observation and
reflection, and, being young and of the feminine sex, she dreamed.

What she observed most was eyes. These were the eyes that looked at her
as she rested in her little swing when on exhibition. Her gilt booth
was very popular, for she was pretty, and some kind-hearted visitors at
the show pitied the poor thing beca