“You have the money.”
The magician was losing his head and Ike said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I have fair play I can prove that man is a ‘fake,’ and that he is trying to sneak out of a trick he promised to perform. He said he would make a silver mine of me, and now he is trying to prove I am only a quicksilver mine, and got away quickly with his money. I ask fair play.”
The audience was interested and excited, and Ike continued:
“Those gentlemen searched me; let them search that fellow and if my words aren’t proven true, he can kick me off the stage.”
The magician, not dreaming of possibilities, threw his arms aloft and challenged:
“All right, gentlemen, search me.”
The gentlemen went into the “fake’s” pockets and to the amazement of every one present drew forth the money. There was no acting in surprise and even alarm displayed by the “fake.” He stood like one stricken with paralysis. He was dumb.
“Now, then, gentlemen, did I steal his money? Isn’t he a ‘fake,’ and didn’t he try to crawl out of his trick by accusing me?”
There is no consideration on a variety stage. The side-show had consumed all the allotted time of the “fake,” the succeeding performers were ready to go on, they were in the wings and calling upon the “fake” to come off.