HOUDINI AND "THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT HOUDIN."

I HAVE already made some reference to Houdini's love of publicity. It was his very life blood. He invented so many schemes for bringing his name before the public that I could fill several volumes on those alone. Some of them failed, most of them succeeded. Had they not done so, he might easily have died a poor and unknown man.

Harry was not blind to the value of sentimental publicity. One of his favourite schemes was to hunt out the graves of any magicians who had lived in the particular town or district in which he was appearing. Then, accompanied by an army of press photographers, he would take a huge wreath to the graveside, standing bareheaded whilst his photograph was taken. On the following day his likeness would appear in the papers with such words as "Great Magician pays homage to a departed conjurer." This idea tickled Harry immensely, and incidentally had the desired effect of increasing his popularity.

When he was performing in Paris before the war, he decided to carry out this same programme, and accordingly hunted up the grave and records of Robert Houdin, the eminent French illusionist. He went even further, and inquired for the whereabouts of Houdin's surviving relatives. To his utter astonishment, these good people refused to meet him, and informed him in a manner which left no room for doubt, that they wished to have nothing to do with him.

This public rebuff made Harry very bitter. That anyone should refuse to see him, the great Houdini, was totally beyond his comprehension. I have never learnt the reason for this refusal on the part of Houdin's relatives, more likely than not they desired to be left in quietness. Possibly they hated the thought of publicity. But Houdini could not, or would not, take this point of view.

"Heavens, Will," he said, "what's wrong with me? Anyone would think I'm a leper! But they'll be sorry for it before I'm finished."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I'm writing a book on Houdin that'll make those folks of his sit up. He's going to get the worst write up he ever had. He was an imposter."

"Rubbish, Harry," I returned, heatedly. "You know that's not true. Why be so vindictive? Houdin was a great magician, and you know it as well as anyone."

"He was an imposter, I tell you. I have collected my facts to prove it. And anyway," he added lamely, "the public will believe anything I tell them. 'The Unmasking of Robert Houdin' will make everyone take notice."

"You are making a great mistake, Harry. Nobody will think you a better man for such a beastly action. Houdin is dead and cannot answer back. One of these days somebody will write a book on you, and call it 'The Unmasking of Harry Houdini.'"

He looked up sharply at my words. "If anyone does that it will be you," he said slowly.

I laughed. "Maybe you're right." I replied. "But if I ever write on Houdini, it will never be out of vindictiveness."

When the book eventually appeared, it was an utter failure. Although Harry had taken much trouble to delve out his facts, he had also allowed his imagination to run, and the information was not generally accepted as accurate, It was as well. Robert Houdin, "The French Father of Magic," was a man whom we all loved and respected. His spirit should rest in peace.