“So much the better. She will enjoy it the more; let her go, I pray you, by all means.”
Mrs. Pell finally consented.
Lulu was delighted at the idea of going, and at an early hour the two proceeded to the theater. It was a variety performance and among the several entertainments a magician was to appear, a man who had been advertised in the play-bills as the most wonderful magician the world had ever seen; a man who could put the Indian jugglers to shame. Ike had seen these advertisements and he looked forward to heaps of fun; in case he called for a volunteer from the audience our hero intended to volunteer and permit the juggler to make him appear ridiculous and foolish—“oh, yes, mebbe so!”—was the lad’s mental ejaculation.
The show proceeded and there were many very pleasant and charming acts and finally the necromancer appeared on the stage. He was a “dude from dudedom” and as Ike perceived at a glance a regular “fake,” a man who was merely an imitator and practically a fraud.
The fellow performed some tricks with cards and one or two simple little sleight of hand acts, when he called for a volunteer and our hero leaped upon the stage. As usual the “fake” commenced making witty remarks and the audience laughed. Finally the performer said:
“My son, did you know that some little boys were regular silver mines? Now I am going to prospect on you; mebbe I can find quarter-dollars in your nose, ears and eyes?”
The manipulator handed our hero a plate to hold and on the plate he placed a dozen quarters. He did it with such a great display, letting them fall one at a time, counting them as they fell; and then he took the plate and jingled them, all the time making very funny remarks—not funny but intended to be so; then he turned his back a minute and returned to do his act, when he started back in amazement: the silver on the plate had all disappeared. Ike had stood perfectly still, not once moving from the spot where the juggler had placed him. He looked innocent and simple enough, while the magician gazed in amazement. The audience meantime were leaning forward in great expectancy, to behold the wonderful trick. The magician was, as may be supposed, completely nonplussed, but he was a bright, tricky fellow. He stepped to the front and requested two gentlemen to step upon the stage. After the usual delay two good-looking men did step upon the stage, and the magician said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, a most extraordinary incident has occurred. You all saw me place twelve quarter dollars on that plate; they have disappeared; that lad could not resist the temptation and has stolen them, and I have requested the gentlemen to come forward and search this boy. I confess this is no trick on my part.”
The audience and the gentlemen all supposed that the whole was a part of the performance, and they proceeded to search Ike. They did so thoroughly, the magician standing by and watching them. The men did not find the money and matters were at a standstill for a few moments. The magician was greatly disturbed. He stood like one dazed, and as there had been no result the audience began to get wearied, and there came a cry of “Go on with the show.”
The magician stepped forward and said: