Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 3, No. 4, September 1942

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A new short story by the creator of Mr. Chips and the author of “Lost Horizon” is an event — a new detective short story by James Hilton is even more so, since Mr. Hilton’s work in this field is virtually unknown to the general public... “The Mallet” has never before been published in America.

“Feel the revivifying forces of youth coursing through your veins — see the pink flush of health in your cheeks when you catch sight of yourself in the bedroom mirror first thing in the morning — no more aches and pains — no more vague feelings of depression — no more hard-earned money thrown away on doctors and quack medicines! For this, ladies and gentlemen, is not a quack medicine, nor is it a drug — it is Nature’s Peerless Herbal Remedy, discovered by myself and prepared after a lifetime of trial and experiment! No other man in the world has the secret of it — no other man in the world can offer you the key of this wonderful gateway to Health, Strength, and Life! One shilling a box I ask you — no, I’ll be even more generous than that — ninepence a box! Ninepence, ladies and gentlemen... Is there any private doctor in this town who would charge you less than half-a-crown for a bottle of his worthless coloured water?... See — I’ll tell you what I’ll do — it’s a special offer and I’ll never make it again as long as I live — sixpence! Sixpence!... Who’s going to be the first?... Thank you, sir. Two shillings? Thank you — here’s your box and here’s your one-and-six change. Are you satisfied?... That’s right. You’re quite sure you’re satisfied?... Good. Then permit me to give you your sixpence back as well. Take this little box of Concentrated Health, my dear sir, as a gift from me to the most sensible person in this crowd... now, ladies and gentlemen, who’s going to be the next?...

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