Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-26

given for examination. which had tend
cncy to arouse suspicion. At any rate. il
almost proved Robert Houdin's undoing
upon ono occasion.
At orc of his entertainments an old
Arab admitted that monsieur was with
out dG;;bt u great magician. hut he should
prefer 10 Use onc of his own pistols" The
conjurCF for moment was nonpluscd,
but, putting a bold face on tho matter,
he said that IL might he done tho next day,
after DC had invoked tho pCwcTs 60 assist
him, wishing only tn gain time and hop
ing. like MiCaW hcr, that something would
turn up. That night he employed about
two hours in insIrins his invulncrabili;y.
Next day the exhibition took place. Tho
old Arab handed Robert Houdln Lis two
pistols. Tho magician had only stipulated
that ho should ho allowed 20 load them.
From 4 plate fuil of bullets two were So
lcctcd and riaialy dropped into the pistols
Iry the magician. The old Arab watched
all these movements, for his honor was nc
stake. When the leading was completed.
a iDarahout Immediately seized one Of the
pistols and ut the given signal took DELHI
crate aim and Cred.
When the smoke cleared away, the ma
2ician was seen smiling with the marked
bullet between his teeth. Enragcgl at his
failure 20 Kill the hated magician. tho
mgrGbout tried 20 sCizc the other pistol,
bot iIoudin secured IL first. Ho assured
the ma-nhout that he could not hurt him
and. furthermore, would prove tina; he
was moro dangerous shot. Firing at "A
newly whitcwashci wall. thcro appeared n
IT, Hnh ,af 81
where kc had aimed.
The nHrabout went mp TO e, dipped bis
finger IN the blood and. raising 1t 20 his
mouth, convinced hirsglf Of tho reality.
The trick was dono "a this way: As soon
as Robert Houdin was alono Ia his room
that night no took from his pistol case a
bullet mold. Then, bending up tine four
edges Of n playing card, be made sort OF
trough in which. TO mott piece Of wax
taken from ono of his candles. When
melted, he mixCd with Il q little lamp.
black. obtained by holding the Llude OF a
knife over the light Of camille. Then nc
run this composition 81 the bullet mold.
Ileiurc the liquid got quite cold he turned
. the mold ever, and the portions Of wax
not yet set ran out, leaving the hollow
ball IL the mold.
Tho second ball he made rather more
soiid then the other. This he filled with
IloCd from ono Of his fingers, stoppiBg up
the orilco with a small lump OF wax.
bullets thus prepared bear an cz;raordi-
Dary resemblance to lead. especially II
plumbagO is used in place Of lampblack.
Tho marked bullet he retained in his
hand and dropped the "faked" bullet into
the pistol in its stead. This was smashed
into powder by the ramrod ia pressing
It homo. Then, under cover Of his hand
EcTclief as he wiped bis face after his yio-
lent .xCrtioas In loading, he slipped the
married. bullet into his mouth, while the
other pistol contained tho bullet filed
with blood, which, bursting against the
/ whitcwashed wall, eft its imprint, though
the wax had flown 70 atoms.
IL the cid days Ct DoadwOod, s. D., an
indifferent magician attempted 10 do the
bullet catching trick, and enc Of the ocad
shots Of the city did the shooting. At the
discharge Of the pistol the performer was
Foen. smiling. with tho bullet between bis
teeth. Hardly hsd the applause died away
when tough looking fellow Jumped to
his feet. lie held pistol in bis band.
! "D-n youn' be shouted. az you're
so Enod AZ ke.chin bUlleis. ketch this VI ."
ILo-c followed Cash and a report. and
,le maziciaS fell to the stage stone dead.
/ with q Juliet hole In his forehead.