文档介绍：Jeffery Deaver
The Vanished Man
(A Lincoln Rhyme Novel)
"A conjuring trick is generally regarded by magicians as
consisting of an effect and a method. The effect is what the
spectator sees. . . . The method is the secret behind the
effect and allows the effect to take place."
—Peter Lament and Richard Wiseman, Magic in Theory
I
EFFECT
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
"The expert magician seeks to deceive the mind, rather
than the eye."
—Marvin Kaye, The Creative Magician's Handbook
Chapter One
Greetings, Revered Audience. e.
e to our show.
We have a number of thrills in store for you over the
next two days as our illusionists, our magicians, our
sleight-of-hand artists weave their spells to delight and
captivate you.
Our first routine is from the repertoire of a performer
everyone's heard of: Harry Houdini, the greatest escape
artist in America, if not the world, a man who performed
before crowned heads of state and . presidents. Some of
his escapes are so difficult no one has dared attempt them,
all these years after his untimely death.
Today we'll re-create an escape in which he risked
suffocation in a routine known as the Lazy Hangman.
In this trick, our performer lies prone on the belly,
hands bound behind the back with classic Darby handcuffs.
The ankles are tied together and another length of rope is
wound around the neck, like a noose, and tied to the ankles.
The tendency of the legs to straighten pulls the noose
taut and begins the terrible process of suffocation.
Why is it called the "Lazy" Hangman? Because the
condemned executes himself.
In many of Mr. Houdini's more dangerous routines,
assistants were present with knives and keys to release him
in the event that he was unable to escape. Often a doctor
was on hand.
Franciscovich nodded to a doorway in front of them.
"What's through here?"
"Be no reason for students t'be there. It's only—"
Fra