“I see.” Daniel’s eyes held mine, as if he wanted to ask more, then he turned his attention back to the body and started going through the young man’s pockets. “Interesting,” he said. “He seems to be carrying no form of identification. No keys, no wallet, no money. Nothing. But if someone didn’t want him to be identified, why place him here, where everyone can see him? Why not just dump him into the river?”

The words were said more to himself than to anyone else.

“And if he is here, then where the devil is Houdini?” Daniel looked up at me again. “Presumably you have some idea how this trick was supposed to work. How could the body have been placed here?”

“Houdini didn’t share his secrets with me,” I said. “I was merely the assistant.”

“There were other acts on the bill,” Daniel said. “Where are they?”

“Probably still in their dressing rooms,” someone suggested.

“Then go and bring them down here. I’ll want to question them.”

The manager looked at his stage crew, then shrugged and went himself. At that moment there was the sound of raised voices, a woman screaming just offstage behind the curtains to our left.

“What now?” Daniel demanded, getting to his feet. “I thought I instructed everyone to remain in their seats.”

Bess came running onto the stage. Her eyes were wild and her mouth was open in pure terror. “Where is he?” she screamed. “What have they done with Harry?”

“Who is this?” Daniel demanded. “How did she get up here?”

“This is Mrs. Houdini,” I said, over the loud, gasping sobs coming from Bess. “She usually performs with her husband, but I was taking her place after the accident that happened the other night.”

“I see.” Daniel put his hands on Bess’s shoulders. “Just calm down, Mrs. Houdini. This isn’t going to help us find your husband.” He turned to the stagehands who had now gathered around the body and were staring as if dazed.

“You men, go and search the backstage area,” he said. “Every inch, every closet where someone could be hiding.”

“Hiding?” Bess screamed. “You don’t think my husband did this, do you? Harry would never hurt a fly.”

Daniel held up his hand again. “And if you come across a body,” he said in a low voice, “stay well away. Don’t disturb anything but come and get me.”

“He’s dead. I know he is.” The words came in great gasps. I went over to Bess and put my arm around her. “We don’t know anything yet. Maybe he’s quite safe. Why don’t you sit down?” I pulled up a chair for her. She collapsed onto it, her face in her hands, her body convulsed with sobs.