Who Done Houdini Read Online Free Page A

or young Mr. Houdini was, you will remain the same brilliant, mischievous boy forever.”
    At a loss for words, I took a quick bite of my filet mignon.
    Holmes’ Beef Wellington remained untouched. I reminded him that it was getting cold, but he waved me off and pushed on with his questions. Fur Elise playing from the piano in the corner of the restaurant made our close conversation seem intimate.
    â€œAre there any other eye-witness accounts of what happened at the theatre?”
    â€œLen Hopkins wrote a feature article. I’ll happily get you a copy of it, but it doesn’t vary much from what I’ve told you.”
    â€œI see,” Holmes said, cutting the first piece of his lunch. “Is the hospital where he died near enough to walk?”
    â€œYes. But I have to get back to work to finish my article, so we’ll take a cab. Why do you want to go there?”
    â€œI’m amazed you should ask, Wiggins. I want to talk to the attending physician and the others present at the surgery. Perhaps it wasn’t peritonitis that caused his demise. Did you know that Houdini received nearly a hundred death threats last year?”
    â€œNo, but I’m not surprised. Every medium in the country feared him. He invited them to his show to perform their tricks on stage after his magical performances. Only one ever came close to fooling him. Mina Croydon, also called Margery. I’m sure you must have heard of her.”
    â€œAh yes. The White Witch of Lime Street. Sir Arthur has been touting her as the greatest medium in the world for years. Absolutely sterling credentials, he says.”
    â€œNot quite. Houdini showed how she performed every one of her tricks, or at least he said he did. Some say there were other phenomena he couldn’t explain away.”
    â€œBe that as it may, his assertions infuriated Sir Arthur so much that he broke off all communications with Houdini. Sir Arthur isn’t the only one of that opinion, either. Some very important psychic researchers regard her highly, too. We shall want to visit her, but, from what I have heard, that may not be easy.”
    I stopped in mid-sip of my water. “We? She lives in Boston. That’s halfway across the country from here. This isn’t Britain where we’re only a few hours away from anywhere. It would take days, and I’m not sure I can get away.”
    Mr. Holmes tapped at the side of his nose. “That has already been taken care of, my good man. I contacted the owner of your newspaper by telephone, and Mr. Scripps is absolutely delighted to find a possible front-page story that his rival Mr. Hearst knows nothing about. He has agreed to put you on special assignment at my expense. Mr. Hoffman will be assuming your beat until we are finished.”
    I could barely believe my ears. A chance to investigate a story involving two of the most famous personalities in the world would make me the star reporter on both sides of the Atlantic. And to be able to associate with Mr. Holmes again to do it made it a joy beyond belief.
    â€œIf you want to talk to Margery, I expect we may have to pay for a séance,” I said.
    Holmes paused to cut off a piece of his Wellington. “She doesn’t charge for them, and even if she did, it would be money well spent. Especially if she isn’t aware of who we are or why we’re there.”
    Our waiter appeared at our table and noticed my friend’s full plate. In a worried voice he asked, “Is there something wrong with the food, sir? If so, we will happily replace it with another dish.”
    â€œI have no complaint. The meat is excellent, though not quite as succulent and well-aged as that which we serve in Britain. I hope you get an opportunity to try our Angus beef from Scotland someday. It truly is incomparable.”
    The waiter suppressed a smile. “I’m sure it is, sir. Your food is cold. Would you like me to warm your