In the afternoon Houdini had a pleasant interview with Head Constable
Dunning.
"Want to try our locks? Certainly. You're welcome; but, of course, we
will take some precautions."
"I want you to do so," replied Houdini. "I will strip naked. You can
then handcuff me and put me in your strongest cell, and after you have
searched me and the cell you leave me, locking the door. I will join
you in a minute or two."
Houdini was as good as his word. Not only did he escape, but he had
torn from his hands and arms three pairs of handcuffs, which had been
put on him by officers with absolute belief in their restraining power.
Even these feats were not enough for this man, who does things that
would have made Jack Sheppard die of envy. He felt sure there was
nothing in Bridewell to baffle him.
Running along the corridor, he opened the doors of other cells, which
he had thought were all empty. When he reached No. 14 and flung open
the door, he confronted a prisoner.
"I don't know which of us was the more surprised," said Houdini to an
_Express_ representative.