Who is The Apothecary, Blind Orlo from The Tiger's Wife: A Novel and what is their importance?

The apothecary is a friend to both Natalia's grandfather in his childhood, as well as the tiger's wife.

Blind Orlo was the man with whom the apothecary joined forces in order to survive when the apothecary was abandoned by the squad of soldiers he had served. Together they formed a mind-reading act that swindled the citizens of the small villages through which they passed.