A hand came toward me and I saw that the man leaning out of the carriage was Anthony Smith, the young Secret Service agent. He took my arm and assisted me into the carriage, then leaned across to close the door behind me. “What a stroke of luck. I’ve just been to Houdini’s residence to find that you weren’t there and I wasn’t sure what to do next.”

“A stroke of luck for both of us,” I said as the heavens opened and the rain came down in a solid sheet, bouncing from the carriage roof and the sidewalks.

“What beastly weather,” he said. “I must say I didn’t come prepared for a deluge, and neither did you by the look of it. Here, I have a handkerchief if that will help.” He produced one, white and neatly folded with his initials embroidered in one corner. “You’ll probably want to dry off before we meet Mr. Wilkie.”

“Mr. Wilkie sent you to fetch me?” I asked as the carriage took off again.

“Of course. He thought it wise that you should meet where there is no possibility of being overheard.”

“Another train ride?”

“I really can’t tell you. I was sent to find you and then I imagine my task will be complete. He doesn’t confide in anyone, you know. More cautious than he needs to be, but a solid fellow, nonetheless.”

I had removed my damp straw hat and attempted to dry off my face and neck with the handkerchief. My dress was already clinging to me in a way that would have horrified Daniel and it did cross my mind that I was most inappropriately attired to be alone in a carriage with a strange man. But he didn’t seem to have noticed. I stole a glance at him and he was leaning forward, apparently focused on the straw boater and silver-tipped cane he held across his knees.

“So you were actually staying at Houdini’s house?” he said. “I envy you that opportunity. I’m a great admirer, you know. He’s the best there is. I’m a keen amateur magician myself, as is Mr. Wilkie, of course. He likes to engage fellow magicians to work for him.”

“I presume he finds sleight of hand a useful skill in your profession.”

“Quite.” He gave something between a laugh and a dry cough.

Thunder rumbled again nearby and what sounded like hail was bouncing off the carriage roof with a clatter like loud applause.

“Did you come with Mr. Wilkie from Washington?” I asked because the silence was making me uneasy.

“No, I was already here,” he said. “I met him at the station.”