Presently the man appeared bearing a large cushion.
"The _Mirror_ has no desire to submit Mr. Houdini to a torture test,"
said the representative; "and if Mr. Houdini will permit me, I shall
have great pleasure in offering him the use of this cushion."
The "Handcuff King" was glad evidently of the rest for his knees, for
he pulled it through into the "ghost house."
Ladies trembled with suppressed excitement, and, despite the weary
wait, not a yawn was noticed throughout the vast audience. For 20
minutes more the band played on, and then Houdini was seen to emerge
once more from the cabinet.
Still handcuffed!
Almost a moan broke over the vast assemblage as this was noticed. He
looked in pitiable plight from his exertions and much exhausted.
He looked about for a moment, and then advanced to where his challenger
stood.
"Will you remove the handcuffs for a moment," he said, "in order that I
may take my coat off?"
For a few seconds the journalist considered. Then he replied: "I am
indeed sorry to disoblige you, Mr. Houdini, but I cannot unlock those
cuffs unless you admit you are defeated."
The reason was obvious. Mr. Houdini had seen the cuffs locked, but he
had never seen them unlocked. Consequently the press man thought there
might be more in the request than appeared on the surface.