THE HANDCUFF KING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 25

THE HANDCUFF KING

(Continued from Page 24). In London. A manager, Mr. Slater, had shown interest, hut was uncertain. Finally, Mr. Kellock writes:— “If you can escape from handcuffs at Scotland Yard, I’ll sign you,” he said. “Can you go with me now?” was Houdini’s reply. At London’s famous police headquarters, Superintendent Melville ridiculed the idea that any one could escape from Scotland Yard handcuffs. Stage handcuffs were one thing, he told Mr. Slater, hut Scotland Yard handcuffs were the last word in scientific manacles. Houdini, however, insisted on trying them, so suddenly Melville produced a pair of cuffs. “Well, here’s how we fasten the Yankee criminals who come over here and get into trouble,” he remarked. With that he encircled Houdini’s arms around a pillar, snapped on a pair of “darbies” and stepped back with a laugh. “I’m going to leave you her® and come back for you in a couple of hours,” he said. He started toward the door with Slater. “Wait!” cried Houdini. “I’ll go with you. Here’s the way the Yankees open the handcuffs.” He tossed the cuffs to the floor and stepped away from the pillar. Superintendent Melville was shocked and visibly nonplussed, but in a minute he held out his hand: “Scotland Yard won’t forget you, young man,” he said. There was no longer any question with Slater about an engagement. He drove Houdini back to the office and signed him for two weeks. So, after years of hardship and struggle, success came, while Houdini developed the showmanship for which he was famous. One of his most startling acts was the purchase for his mother of a dress made for Queen Victoria just before her death, and he made his first European tour a triumphal procession, the “dream of an inspired Press agent,” during which thrilling escape followed thrilling escape.