The Floating Lady Murder Read Free Page B

entertainment consists of the rare and startling phenomena to which his own original and collective brain has given existence,’ ” Bess resumed. “ ‘His work seemingly sets at naught all natural laws. It is replete with mysticisms and those occult deeds ordinarily ascribed to the redoubtable Prince of Darkness. Yet everything is simply done, and Mr. Kellar frankly disclaims any supernatural agencies. There is no entertainment similar to it in the country, nor is there any word in the English language which can properly describe it. It is entirely sui generis .’ ”
    “What?” asked Harry.
    “ Sui generis ,” I said. “Means ‘in a class by itself.’ ”
    “Why doesn’t he just say so!” Harry reached for a slice of toast. “ Sui generis , indeed.”
    “ ‘Mr. Kellar is as entirely different from the work of the commonplace magician as the electric light outshines its coal-oil predecessors,’ ” Bess continued. “ ‘His phenomena are unique, amusing, and full of utter impossibilities developed from his own inner consciousness. The man himself is a marvel. He has traversed every part of the civilized as well as the uncivilized globe. He speaks with ease all the modern languages, and half a dozen besides of Asiatic and African dialects. He charms you by a grace of manner that is bewitching; he entrances by the subtle power which he so greatly possesses, and mystifies and bewilders you by the deftness and dexterity with which he executes his remarkable feats. He is simply a marvel beyond the comprehension of the ordinary mortal.’ ”
    Bess neatly folded the newspaper and placed it beside her plate. “Mr. Kellar would seem to have a very spirited press agent,” she said.
    “Or perhaps an energetic younger brother,” I suggested.
    “His day has passed,” Harry repeated. “The man is still performing the Enchanted Fishery! I ask you!”
    “Harry,” said Bess, placing her hands flat on the table. “Out with it. Opportunities like this one don’t come along every day.”
    Harry picked up his teaspoon and polished it with his napkin. “Bess,” he said to the spoon, “you must defer to my experience in these matters. My long years upon the boards have given me a certain amount of expertise when it comes to—”
    “Harry,” Bess said again. “Out with it.”
    My brother stirred his tea, carefully avoiding her eye.
    Bess simply folded her arms and waited him out. It didn’t take long. Harry stirred his tea for another minute or so, whistling a carefree tune and trying to appear unconcerned. Still avoiding Bess’s eye, he began to hum and rap his fingers on the table. Then he gave a heavy sigh and his resolve crumpled. The truth was that my brother could withstand a long submersion in icy bathwater far better than his wife’s disapprobation.
    “You don’t understand, Bess!” he cried in a sudden rush. “It isn’t fitting! The Great Houdini is no mere stagehand! The Great Houdini is not a simple lackey to be ordered about at the whim of Mr. Harry Kellar! I am an artist! I am an original! I am the man whom the Milwaukee Sentinel called the ‘most captivating entertainer in living memory’! I will not beg for scraps from the table of Mr. Harry Kellar!”
    Bess looked over at me and nodded. At least now the cards were on the table. “Harry,” she said in a much softer voice, “think of the experience. Think of the contacts. It could be the break you’ve been needing.”
    “It is impossible,” he insisted. “Besides, he is a mere magician! I am an escape artist! I am the world’s foremost self-liberator!”
    “Harry,” I said, pushing away my bowl of porridge. “So far as we know, you’re the only self-liberator on the face of the earth. We’ve been over this before. No one knows quite what to make of your act. Sure, you’ve had some good notices, but it’s hard to build a career on a few scattered successes. The Kellar showcould give us all some