“But think how much worse it would be if you had never met at all.” Houdini and Pelletier exchanged looks and the master set-builder ushered his people back to their stations, leaving the two magicians alone with the boy.

“If this trick works, I’ll never see him again.” “Too much excitement for everyone.”Ī terrible feeling flooded through Dash. “I’m sure you’ll see him after you’ve both had a good night’s rest,” said Houdini. “I’m almost twelve years old, okay?” He sat down heavily in a chair. “DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE I’M A KID!” Dash shouted. “I’ve backed you up plenty! But your friend is not well, and he’ll be more comfortable at Houdini’s hotel. “Thanks for backing me up!” he snarled at Blumenthal. “Don’t get on that train! Don’t get on the morning train!” “Wait, hold on! Walt,” he called again, and the other boy listened, his ear tilted up as he followed Jacobson out of the workshop. “In all zees dust?” Pelletier gestured around at the machinery. “Aw, just let him rest here!” he called to the adults. Walt went to where Jacobson was waiting by a circular saw. You’ll be your old self in no time.” He offered his hand and Walt took it. And it is a fine thing to be looked in on by Mrs. But you’ve done everything you needed to do today. “Dashiel and I are lucky to have our Walter Gibsons, Walter Gibson. “Do I get a say in any of this?” he asked pathetically. His face was the colour of a dolphin’s belly. “Don’t touch me! I can stand on my own!” He tried a couple of times but couldn’t get off his knees. Dmitri leaned down to him, but Walt fended him off. Walt was awake now, sitting up, then kneeling. Just the same, I would have him at our hotel.” He gestured to Dmitri. “It is not a flea pit! I’ve stayed there many times.” “Why can’t he come with us? To Blumenthal’s hotel?”īlumenthal stuck out his chest. A small, muscular man with bright, grey eyes behind thick glasses. “When this is done, my resignation will take effect. Jacobson put the ticket into a suit pocket. I’m staying.” He kept his gaze on the floor, unable to look up. “He made me take them-I wasn’t going to leave. “He’d already given you those?” he said to Dash. And now I will take his ticket, Master Woolf.” I will telegram his parents to inform them of the situation, and then I will put him on the 10 a.m.

I’ll bring him back to your room and have the doctor you won’t listen to take a look at him. Then: “I will keep my letter and see to Walter first. His mouth moved, but for a moment he said nothing. Jacobson looked at Dash with cold mistrust in his eyes. Someone had the presence of mind to bring a wet cloth. Four glasses of water arrived at once from different directions. Is that not what you would say, Solomon? Even if this young man-oh, someone get that boy a glass of water, stop standing around!-has not come from the future with strange news …” He looked at Dash now. “Or if it is, it deserves the attention of the greatest magician alive. What was wrong with Walt? He hadn’t even hit his head, but his eyes were closed. It’s not my fault you’ve never seen a dodge like this.”īlumenthal gave Dash a look that was supposed to calm him down, except it didn’t.

“We’d best get the business of your scarpering off taken care of, then,” Houdini said, “so those of us left behind can get this poor boy to a doctor.” Jacobson and Houdini were staring daggers at each other. To Dash, he looked like a gleaming white sculpture against the black floor.

Houdini free