THE MARVELLOUS RELEASE.
(Le Captif Emancipé de M. Cleverman.)
A ponderous ladder, composed of three uprights and crossbeams, is drawn in upon the stage, and inspected, as well as a new rope, by one of the company, and pronounced solid. The Magician’s assistant is then bound to the centre post, and all the knots are sealed by one of the spectators. A light basket-work shade, covered with canvas, is put on over all, and in a few seconds the man is found tied as before, but without his coat. On being concealed and discovered again he is found completely freed, and the rope on the stand without a seal being broken.
Explanation.—The centre post is apparently quite firmly bolted into the cross pieces, but in reality the screw heads have no pin attached except one, which is withdrawn by the tied man, who has his hands bound behind him just where he wishes to use them. On being unpinned, the beam drops down into a socket in the stand, and the rope can be pulled through the open space. The sealing of the knots keeps the ropes in their place.
A chair can be constructed in the same manner, and, if the deception be practised in a dark cabinet, one of the Davenport Brothers’ feats can be imitated.