Archie and I looked at each other.

"The predicaments in which Simpson finds himself are extraordinarily
varied," I said.

"One of these days he'll be in a well, and we shall let down a rope
to him, and he'll hang himself by mistake."

"That would look very determined. On the other hand there must be
annoying occasions when he starts out to strangle somebody and finds
that he's pulling him out of the cistern."

"Why, how delightful, Mr Simpson," said Myra. "Do show us some
more."

"Those are the most important ones. Then there are one or two fancy
ones. Do you know the Monkey's Claw?"

"Don't touch it," said Archie solemnly. "It's poison."

"Oh, I must show you that."

Joe showed me the Monkey's Claw afterwards, and it is a beautiful
thing, but it was not a bit like Simpson's. Simpson must have
started badly, and I think he used too much rope. After about twenty
minutes there was hardly any of him visible at all.

"Take your time, Houdini," said Archie, "take your time. Just let us
know when you're ready to be put into the safe, that's all."