“But I have a carriage waiting outside for this purpose, and a man to assist me,” Dr. Weiss said. “And the theater manager received my telephone call earlier today. But it seems there is nobody in the theater but you at the moment.”

He started to walk forward and an absurd thought crossed my mind as I watched him. I was probably quite wrong, but at the very least it was worth a try. “Dr. Weiss,” I said. “I worked with Houdini. I know where the props are. Maybe I can help you find them.”

As I tried to stand up I felt a warning prick of steel at my back.

“We need the young lady to help us down here at the moment,” Smith said. “If you go to the manager’s office, he should be back within the hour. And the stagehands will be arriving. They can be of assistance.”

“Dr. Weiss,” I said clearly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Will you not be needing the key? Will the key not be found at Houdini’s own house?” I brushed back my hair that was falling across my face.

His dark eyes flashed as they held mine. “Very well,” he said. “You may be right. These magicians. They keep everything locked up, don’t they?” He bowed to us. “I shall return later as you suggest, with the key.”

He turned and went. Nobody spoke as his footsteps died away.

“That was close,” Summer said with a sigh. “Of all the bad timing. And such good manners. If he only knew what we’d done with his brother.” And he chuckled.

“Kill her and let’s get out of here,” Lily said. “We must be away from the city before Wilkie can discover the girl is missing.”

I looked around for anything to use as a weapon. All I could focus on was the glint of that blade in Smith’s hand. There was an open paint pot with a brush in it, but I could hardly defend myself with that.

“Wait,” Smith said. “She may be more use to us alive. Just in case we need a hostage.”

“It’s too risky to have her with us,“ Lily said impatiently. “Give me the damned knife. I’ll do it if you’re squeamish.”

As they discussed what to do with me I had been inching closer to the wall. I picked up the paint pot and flung it into her face as she reached for the knife. At the same time I pulled down the lever on the wall. The trapdoor opened and the little platform descended onto them. Not quickly enough to harm them, unfortunately, but at least they had to jump out of the way. Lily was screaming and as I looked at her it seemed as if blood was pouring from her face. Then I realized, of course, that it was red paint.