Free The Dime Museum Murders by Daniel Stashower Page A

feels a little stiff, too."
    "Does
it?" Harry asked. "Oh well, I imagine that the hardware at
Sing-Sing is rusty as well. I will prevail, in any case."
    The
lock finally gave and O'Donnell pulled the door open with a creak.
Harry stepped past him into the open cell. "You know, Houdini,"
the sergeant said, "if you ever do try this at Sing-Sing,
they'll insist on a full body search—just
like we give the real prisoners."
    From
across the corridor, Mr. Graff let out a soft groan at the memory.
    "I
am aware of this, Sergeant, and I am fully prepared to comply. Would
you care to—?" He spread his arms wide.
    "I
think we'll let it pass," O'Donnell said quickly. He swung the
door shut and slid the long cross-beam into place. "I'd better
get back to the desk," he said, turning to me. "Just bang
on the bars when he wants me to let him out." "When
he—what?"
    "When
he wants me to let him out. He usually gives up after three hours."
    I
turned to my brother, who was busy rolling up his sleeves. "Harry?
You mean to say you haven't figured out a way to escape from this
cell yet?"
    "It
is proving to be more difficult than I thought," he allowed.
    "More
difficult than you thought. Suppose I had set up the Sing-Sing stunt
three weeks ago, like you wanted?''
    "The
Great Houdini would have risen to the challenge, as he has done so
often in the past."
    "My,
but he's sure of himself, isn't he?" said O'Donnell. "
'Course, he usually doesn't sound quite so cocksure by two or three
in the morning. Enjoy yourself, Houdini." He turned and let
himself out through the main door.
    We
stood quietly and listened to the sergeant's footsteps fade.
"Ehrich?" came a whisper from the other side of the
corridor. "Is that really you? Theodore?"
    "Of
course, Mr. Graff." Harry came to the front of his cell and
dangled his arms through the bars.
    "You
have come to release me?"
    "Release
you?" I snorted. "Apparently he can't even—"
    "It
would be imprudent to release you just now, Mr. Graff," Harry
said. "That would seem to confirm the accusation that you
murdered Branford Wintour. I trust that you did not murder Branford
Wintour?"
    "Of
course not!" The old man swung his feet off the bunk and walked
to the door of his cell. He was wearing a wrinkled windowpane check
suit with a gold watch fob dangling from his waistcoat. In happier
circumstances he might have passed for a diminutive Kris Krin-gle
with his round head, florid cheeks, and snowy hair and beard. Now,
even in the shadowy light of the cell block, the stresses of the day
were plain to see. His collar had popped open, his tie was askew, and
his face was streaked with tears. "Of course I didn't kill Mr.
Win-tour! He was my best customer, and a fine man besides!"
    "I
thought not," said Harry. "Might I ask you to tell me
everything you know of this unhappy business?"
    "What's
to tell? There was a knock on the door, next thing I'm in jail.
Dragged off in chains, in front of Frieda. In front of the neighbors.
Everyone."
    "I'm
sure that was most unpleasant," Harry said. "Perhaps we
should examine the events leading up to your arrest? What can you
tell us of Le
Fantôme?"
    "Wretched
little creature! I wish I had never laid eyes on it!"
    "How
did it come to be in your possession?" An expression of wounded
pride crossed Mr. Graff's face. "I am the leading purveyor of
magical apparatus and curiosities in all of New York," he said
with a certain prim dignity. "It is impossible that such an item should
appear on the market without coming to my attention."
    "Yes,
yes, of course," said my brother quickly. "But exactly how did
it come to your attention?"
    "A
most curious thing,'' he began.'"I was sitting in—'' A
drink-sodden voice from the opposite cell broke in. "My dear
sirs," the speaker began, as if dictating a letter, "I have
the honor of requesting a reduction in the level of conversation in
and about the vicinity of my present location. Thanking you, I
remain, yours et cetera..." the voice resolved into