“Do you think Oberon kidnapped Theo?” Audie asked Cypher. She, unfortunately, knew a thing or two about kidnapping.

“Remember.” Cypher patted the spectacles in his pocket thoughtfully. “No jumping to conclusions.”

“Kidnapped!” Bimmy wiped at her eyes. “Oh, that would be horrible!”

“Ladies, ladies.” Mr. Houdini waved his hands like a symphony conductor. “Let’s calm down.” He picked up a brass bell sitting on the table at his elbow and rang it three times. Bobby licked his chops. He knew that bell meant tea. Which meant treats.

From nowhere, it seemed, an older man appeared. “Yes, my lord?”

“Tea for—” Houdini did a quick head count. “Tea for four, Winston, if you please.”

“Very good, sir.” The valet disappeared into a side room.

“Where did he come from?” Bimmy whispered to Audie. “I didn’t see him when Mr. Houdini arrived, did you?”

“Maybe he lives here.” The moment Audie said the words she realized how ridiculous they were. No one lived at the Hippodrome. Except the animals.

“This is not the time for tea.” Audie began pacing the room. “I think we should search the theater. Leave no stone unturned.” The misadventure in the nation’s capital was recent enough that she remembered too well the ill-treatment of the president’s kidnapped niece. Audie was loath to think the same fate might have befallen Theo.

“Not much point in that.” Mr. Houdini formed a tent with his fingers. “The villains would’ve whisked her away as quickly as possible.”

“We have no proof that there are villains.” Cypher sounded exasperated.

“You only say that because of your inexperience with theater folks.” Houdini waggled his finger at Cypher. “There are some very unscrupulous types. Take that fellow in the Midwest who calls himself Boudini, the Handcuff King. And the phony in—”

“Theo may be missing,” Cypher clarified. “But we have no proof that she’s kidnapped.” He put the full force of authority in his voice.

“And don’t get me started on the stagehands.” Houdini’s rant continued unabated.

His words chilled Audie. Stagehands! “I saw someone,” she began. “Hanging around backstage.” She was instantly sorry she’d said the words. Her ear hadn’t even been buzzing.

“There are always hangers-on,” Houdini answered with a dismissive wave. “As if some of my skill might rub off on them.”

“When was this?” Cypher edged away from Bobby, who was sniffing at his shoe.

Audie pondered Mr. Houdini’s words. That must’ve been it. The poor young man—and he did look poor, in that ragged attire—was no doubt in hopes of learning one or two of the famous magician’s secrets. Hadn’t Cypher cautioned her time and again about jumping to conclusions?

“Oh, what a lovely tea!” Audie exclaimed, deftly changing the topic. Her feint worked with Houdini but not with Cypher, who made a mental note to do some background checks. Especially on those backstage hangers-on.

Winston carried a large tray with a cheery red teapot and four cups and saucers. Bobby’s nose took inventory. He had no interest in the cucumber sandwiches, but he did love frosted tea cakes. He nudged his master’s leg and when that did not produce the desired result, he posed in front of the girls. Children were rarely able to resist his big brown eyes. Bobby wagged his tail, increasing his charm.

The cups were poured and plates filled. If one had stumbled upon the scene, one would have thought to have interrupted a genial gathering of friends. But the four sipped and nibbled in silence.

Houdini’s thoughts were full of headlines: The Great Magician Fails to Vanish an Elephant. He shuddered to think of what would happen to his reputation. Even though the tea cakes were his favorite—chocolate with raspberry filling—worry turned their flavor to sawdust.

Cypher’s concerns teetered back and forth, as if on a scale. On one side were his worries about Theo. How had she disappeared right from under his nose? And if he had failed to keep her safe, was he also likely to fail in protecting Audie and Bimmy? The other side tipped to the practical: Botching this job would mean a discharge from the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Bimmy’s mental gymnastics tumbled between Theo’s disappearance and the recent actions of her dearest friend, which were leading Bimmy to believe that Audie was keeping something from her. Since the secret of the library at the School for Wayward Girls had been revealed—Miss Maisie had insisted on calling it the Punishment Room, thus all the girls save Audie had avoided it like the plague—Audie had pledged to play the straight arrow with Bimmy at all times. But Bimmy had been at a loss to explain the flurry of letters she’d seen exchanged prior to departing Miss Maisie’s. With whom had Audie been corresponding? And about what?

Audie’s thoughts were similar to those of the others sipping tea. Were magicians such a jealous lot that one would deprive Mr. Houdini of his once-in-a-lifetime chance? What could drive someone to such an act of perfidy? She puzzled, too, over Theo’s disappearance happening so quickly and under so many noses. Audie again wrestled with whether to mention the scraggly lad she’d seen earlier, deciding to hold off for now. No jumping to conclusions, as Cypher said. On top of everything else, Audie had a letter that she needed to answer, one that would require privacy, a difficult commodity when bunking with one’s dearest chum.

The dressing room was so quiet one could have heard fleas jumping through Bobby’s fur, had he been so afflicted.

Winston cleared his throat. “May I pour more tea?” He held up the cheery pot.

“No thank—” Audie was interrupted by a knock at the door. Winston opened it.

“Did I leave my spectacles in here?” Theo asked. “I can’t seem to find them anywhere.”

The girls flew to her. “We’ve been so worried!” Audie exclaimed.

Bimmy wiped away a tear.

“Rather good to see you.” Cypher’s calm demeanor belied his immense relief. Of course, this meant his job was no longer in jeopardy. But far more important, Theo appeared unharmed.

“Where have you been?” Houdini stood, checking his pocket watch as he strode across the room. “The run-through is in less than an hour.”

Theo shook her head, with a chuckle. “You are mistaken. Why we’ve loads of ti—” She glanced at her own watch, pinned to her bodice. “Oh, dear.” Her forehead wrinkled. “Did I fall asleep?” she murmured. “I must have. I feel so refreshed.”

“So you don’t know what you’ve been doing for this past hour or more?” Audie said.

Theo pressed her fingers to her lips, giving the impression of one casting about for thought. “I recall studying the pulleys and levers backstage. And I recall knocking on the dressing room door.” She tugged on the string knotted around her left index finger as if it might improve her memory.

Cypher handed her the spectacles, grave concern etched on his face. “Do you recall greeting Mr. Houdini here in this room, after you knocked?”

Theo placed her spectacles on her face and then accepted tea from Winston, who had conjured up a fifth cup from somewhere. “Lovely; thanks.” She sipped. “I’m sorry to be so fuzzy.” Her cup clinked against the saucer. “It’s as if I’ve taken a huge eraser to my memory. There’s nothing here”—she tapped on her head—“except finding myself backstage without my spectacles and feeling that I’d left them in here.”

“Could you have fainted?” Audie wondered aloud. “That happened to me once when I had forgotten to eat.”

“I do often forget to eat when I’m busy at work on an experiment,” Theo said. “But I had a lovely bowl of oatmeal this morning so I don’t think I fainted from hunger.” At the mention of hunger, however, she reached for a tea cake, dispatching it in two bites.

“And you feel refreshed?” Bimmy asked.

“With no memory.” Houdini returned to his chair, then glanced over at Bimmy. “I suspect you and I are thinking similar thoughts.”

Bimmy flushed to be included in the conversation this way. “Hypnotism?” she posited.

Houdini pointed his finger at her. “Bingo,” he said. “It is the only reasonable explanation.”

Audie was fascinated. She’d never met anyone who’d been hypnotized before! “Who on earth did this to you?”

“May I remind us all once again not to jump to conclusions?” Cypher sighed.

“Every magician has dabbled in that art,” Houdini said.

“So, a theater bill full of magicians and other such types means we are faced with many suspects.” Audie brushed cake crumbs from her lap. “Therefore it is imperative that we find a motive!” She was so pleased she had recently reread Mr. Houdini’s own book on the criminal element.

“A motive’s not difficult to deduce.” Mr. Houdini handed his cup and saucer to Winston. “In fact, it’s obvious. Professional jealousy. Someone wants me to fail at my illusion. And they’ve somehow connected Theo with the act.”

“But how?” Cypher wondered aloud. “Your meetings have been in secret, have they not?”

“Absolutely.” Houdini patted his lap and Bobby hopped up. The terrier nosed at the magician’s pockets to no avail.

“And we’ve been so careful here not to give anything away.” Audie stopped. “Oh, dear. What would people think of you being in Mr. Houdini’s dressing room now?”

A stunned look flashed across Cypher’s face.

As she had on the train, Bimmy once again came to the rescue. “We’ll say the Pomegrantos requested an audience with Mr. Houdini to bring him greetings from the people of España.”

“Bees and bonnets,” Audie exclaimed with admiration. “You’re good!”

“I agree.” Mr. Houdini scratched Bobby under the chin. “This meeting is easily explained.”

“Meeting!” Theo glumly held up her be-stringed right pinkie. “You came to my lodgings that day.”

Houdini appeared flustered. “Well, I was forced to. You never answered my correspondence,” he snapped.

“She’s a busy scientist!” Audie came to Theo’s defense.

Theo fiddled with the pinkie string. “My landlord, Mr. Billy Bottle, is not the most upright of fellows. I’m afraid if he saw a chance to make some money, he would leap at it. He would probably feel it was his right, what with my rent in arrears.”

“So you think someone bribed him in an effort to find the connection between you and Mr. Houdini?” Cypher asked.

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Theo answered. “He cheats at cards,” she offered. “I should know. I’ve never beat him in a game of gin rummy.”

Cypher made a mental note. Was Mr. Billy Bottle a possible card shark? What else might Theo’s landlord be hiding about his past?

“Well,” Audie jumped in enthusiastically. “Have you noticed any strangers paying a visit to Mr. Bottle lately?” She breathlessly awaited Theo’s reply.

“I’m sorry.” Theo reached for a cucumber sandwich, unaware of the one slice of cucumber sliding onto her lap. Bobby was quick to leap across the room to rescue the errant vegetable. “I spend most of my days with my books. Except, as I said, for the odd game of gin or cribbage.”

Houdini consulted his pocket watch. “We will have to leave you detectives to your work.”

Audie sat up taller in her chair, thrilled at being called a detective.

“Miss Quinn and I have a run-through to discuss.” Houdini stood and indicated for Winston to usher everyone else out of the dressing room.

“We will get right to work,” Cypher assured the world-famous magician.

But Houdini appeared not to hear this remark. He and Theo were already deep in discussion, heads nearly touching.

Audie was the last one out of the dressing room. “Thank you for the tea,” she said to Winston.

The valet nodded and closed the door to further conversation.

“I want you two to go back to the hotel,” Cypher instructed. “And stay there.”

“But surely there’s something we can do,” Audie said.

“Yes, there is.” Cypher put his hands on her shoulders. “Go back to the hotel and stay put. Do not leave. Do not speak with anyone. Especially not strangers.”

“But how can we help if we’re at the hotel?” Audie asked.

“Trust me,” said Cypher. “That will be a huge help.” He pulled some money from his pocket for cab fare. “I should be back in time to take you to dinner. If I’m not, order something from room service.” With that he turned and disappeared into the cool dark of the backstage.

Audie and Bimmy stepped out onto Sixth Avenue. Bimmy expertly flagged down a cab. The girls climbed aboard and gave the address of the Evelyn Hotel.

“What do you think Cypher is going to do?” Bimmy settled back in the seat.

“I don’t know. More undercover work, I imagine.” Audie fussed with the ribbons on her tunic. They’d all been so distracted by Theo’s disappearance, they hadn’t changed back into their street clothes. “Bees and bonnets!” Audie smothered a giggle. “I do hope he’s changed out of his costume.” Both girls laughed to imagine Cypher engaged in covert activities while attired in red tights.

“Where do you think he’ll start?” Bimmy asked. “Interviews with the stagehands?”

“Speaking of that.” Audie chewed her lip. “Did you happen to notice a ragged-looking young man backstage? Battered hat? Lumpy pockets?”

“I didn’t. What about him?”

Audie recalled Cypher’s warning about not jumping to conclusions. “Nothing. Yet,” she said.

The driver pulled up in front of the Evelyn. The girls thanked him. He tipped his hat.

Audie dawdled a bit as she followed Bimmy to the lobby. She knew there would be a letter awaiting her, a letter she did not want Bimmy to see. Casually, she removed a white glove from her pocket, dropping it behind the enormous Boston fern by the reception desk.

Upstairs, she unlocked the door to room 513 and then made a big show of patting her coat. “Oh, dear,” she exclaimed. “I’m missing a glove. I wonder if it fell out downstairs.”

Bimmy had been shrugging out of her own coat but immediately tugged it back on. “We’ll go look.”

“You get comfy!” Audie insisted. “I’ll be back before you know it.” She swiftly closed the door to forestall any protestations. At the end of the hall, the elevator opened and she hurried inside, joining a man with a very large nose. It was such an unforgettable nose above such a scrubby moustache that Audie instantly placed the man. He’d been in the lobby when Theo Quinn had introduced herself.

“Good afternoon,” she said, once again ignoring Cypher’s admonition about speaking to strangers.

“It is a good afternoon at that.” The man folded a small piece of paper and tucked it into his vest pocket. When the elevator landed at the lobby, he strode ahead of her, whistling with enthusiasm and cheer.

Audie gathered her mail, and her glove, but was preoccupied by a flurry of questions as she rode the clanking elevator up to the fifth floor. Who was that man? What was his business here? And why was he whistling?

And more important, how was she going to read and reply to the letter in her pocket without attracting Bimmy’s attention?