37) THE MAGICIAN'S WAND

37) THE MAGICIAN'S WAND – c.1880 – Chicago

by D.B. Anderson

A “Bruno Clew, Esq., Society Detective Agency” Series Tale

Millicent Pinkman, a sixty year old spinster-heiress-partial recluse, and ‘acquaintance’ of Bruno, telephoned him and asked if he would be free to police a soiree she was holding for the Performing Arts Fund this next Saturday evening at eight in her mansion Wind Point South. She wished him to arrive as her escort for the evening, and not to let it be known he was also on duty.

"Bruno, this is an annual event, and I will have the Martinique Diamond, which our family has owned for years, displayed under a glass cover on the mantle of the fireplace. Since this is a friendly gathering I do not wish an armed guard standing about."

"Will I be there merely as a precaution to look after the diamond, or do you have word of some impending crime?"

"Merely a precaution, for the diamond is worth about two hundred thousand dollars."

"It will be my honor to be there," Bruno responded, and then somewhat hesitatingly asked, "By the way, would you also care to attend another opera with me, or perhaps a drama?"

"I did enjoy being escorted by you to the opera ‘Aida.’ Let me think. When was that? Two months past?" she softly asked. "Yes, I would enjoy attending another show with you. I will let you make all the arrangements. Would two weeks be fine with you? I am now quite busy with the Performing Arts Fund party, plus…well I won’t bother you with my boring life.”

Bruno felt his knees buckle a bit. “Two weeks will be excellent, Miss Pinkman.”

"Please do refer to me as Milicent, Bruno. I must rush off now. Our committee is currently planning the entertainment for the fundraiser, and a show business person named Monsoon the Whirlwind Magician is going to audition for us. Ta, ta for now."

Bruno arrived at seven-thirty on Saturday evening for Milicent's fund raising party. He was dressed to the nine in his full dress tuxedo. Although he always dressed fashionable, the tuxedo was the suit of clothing he exceeded his clothing budget in purchasing. To an old retired sergeant of detectives of the Chicago Police Department, this suit was his passport into the gleaming light of Chicago's high society. With the tuxedo he was able to act as an undercover guard at social soirees and surprisingly found himself fitting right in with the mansion set. He was also pleased to be hired on occasion to escort single elderly women of worth to parties; divorcées, widowers, spinsters, etc. His quite nature, ability to discuss classic literature, and exciting past experience as a retired sergeant of detectives of the Chicago Police Department made him much sought after.

As Bruno removed his topcoat, top hat, scarf, and gloves, and handed them to the butler, along with his silver bear head walking cane, he noticed Millicent talking to a slick haired, tall and thin middle-aged man. Millicent waived for him to join them. Bruno did not like the cut of the man; too Continental, too falsely suave. He then decided to hide his suspicions for the time being, and hurried to them.

"Bruno, this is Monsoon the Whirlwind Magician."

Bruno nodded his head, immediately sensing this man was not to be trusted. He possessed an overly snide air about him; a definite superiority complex. Rather than shake his hand Bruno simply nodded his head and grunted, "A pleasure."

"Likewise," Monsoon replied, returning Bruno's obvious lack of sincerity.

"Bruno," Millicent spoke, "Come view the Martinique Diamond." She then nodded to Monsoon. "Your performance area will be in front of the fireplace, just under the Martinique Diamond display."

"Excellent, Madam," he responded, bowing and clicking his heels.

Bruno followed Millicent to the diamond display. "That man looks like a born street crook."

Millicent chuckled. "What makes you say so?"

"He gives off the odor of deception."

Millicent broke into laughter. "The odor of deception?"

"Go ahead and laugh. The man has criminal intent written all over him. I am a retired sergeant of detectives of the Chicago Police Department, and..."

"Bruno, study the diamond," Millicent interrupted his speech. "It has a history of murder and intrigue. It has been in the possession of three Royal families, all deposed, and some say it is bad luck to whomever fondles it and gazes into its hypnotic luster."

"Well, I'm going to keep my distance. I'll guard over it from the opposite side of the room."

Millicent chuckled, playfully slapping Bruno on his right arm. Just then Monsoon the Whirlwind Magician began his magical act with a few quick card tricks. He then fetched one-dollar coins from behind the ears of several of the gentlemen, and rushed through several more entertaining magical tricks, which were enjoyed by all.

As he ended his act Monsoon twirled in a circle as a whirling Dervish might, and while waiving his wand in the air in a flourish as a thank you for the applause he was receiving, his wand accidentally knocked the Martinique Diamond display to the floor from its resting place on the fireplace mantel. Everyone backed up in surprise and horror as the glass protecting the diamond shattered and the diamond bounced on the floor like a child’s ball. After fumbling around a bit on the floor to collect the diamond, and in abject embarrassment, Monsoon quickly handed the gem to Miss Pinkman.

Monsoon was now totally devastated over his clumsiness, and all viewing magnanimously waived their hands in acknowledgment of his sorrow over the blunder.

Bruno watched the entire mishap with suspicion, and immediately took Millicent aside. "Something is not quite right here. The entire accident incident is just too smooth. ‘Rehearsed’ is probably a more apt description."

"Bruno, Monsoon simply tripped over his own feet while spinning around and knocked the diamond display to the floor. He immediately picked the diamond up and gave it to me.”

"He is a magician; a quick-hand artist. Does your diamond have any distinctive characteristics of its own? Perhaps the slightest flaw? A minute blemish of some sort?"

"Actually the reverse side of the diamond has the slightest flaw in the lower right hand corner. One needs a magnifying glass to see it."

Monsoon immediately began to pack up his act. "I apologize, but I must make haste. I must depart to catch the night train to Minneapolis for an engagement tomorrow afternoon for the Governor of Minnesota. Again I apologize for my clumsiness."

Bruno immediately retrieved the Martinique Diamond from Millicent’s hand and turned it over, attempting in vain to find the minute flaw. He then quickly moved to the French doors a few steps from him and rubbed the diamond up and down on the French door windowpane. Nothing happened! He then gazed at everyone watching his every move with fascination and he suddenly felt as if he were a stage actor. Bruno then grasped Monsoon by the right shoulder.

"What is you true game, sir?"

Monsoon became indignant. "Unhand me, sir! What is the meaning of this?"

"A few minutes ago you knocked over the Martinique Diamond display to the floor. You then quickly picked up the diamond and handed it to Miss Pinkman. The Martinique Diamond would be able to scratch glass. This ‘so called’ diamond, sir, is unable to scratch glass. You, sir, are a thief. I demand that you hand over the genuine diamond!"

Monsoon attempted to break away but Bruno wrapped his left arm around Monsoon's neck and restrained him in a headlock while further immobilizing him by standing on his right foot with his left foot. To the delight of the audience of the guests Bruno then swung around as if performing a dance step and grasped Monsoon's right arm, twisting it upwards behind his back. The audience heartedly applauded.

Monsoon grimaced in pain and shouted, "You mad man! If you break my right arm I will sue you for ruining my ability to make a living displaying my prestidigitation skills."

Bruno then turned the magician’s pockets inside out to find the errant diamond, but only found some keys, loose change, and a soiled handkerchief. He then forced his suspect into the clothes closet and had the butler lock its door.

The fundraiser guests continued to follow Bruno about in fascination. Bruno next quickly rummaged through Monsoon's magical tricks lying on a folding display table he used. He found no diamond. He then raised Monsoon's magical wand to the air secretly hoping to conjure up an answer to the puzzle, and he stood in astonishment as he noticed the wand contained four egg shaped gemstones of various sizes, with the bottom stone appearing for all the world as the Martinique Diamond! Bruno quickly rushed to the French door windows and anxiously scratched the diamond on the French door windowpane and it left a slight scratch mark. All gathered released a sigh of astonish-

ment.

The Butler than shouted in horror "Escapee!"

Everyone spun around to find Monsoon the Whirlwind Magician had picked the lock of the clothes closet door and was racing Pall Mall for the front door while carrying an overcoat.

Bruno’s aged legs rushed as best they could to the fleet-footed magician, but his sixty five year old body was just not up to the task. Monsoon was out the door and bounding down the street imitating a frightened rat in full trot.

The assembled guests applauded and released a series of "Well, done! Well done, sir!" Milicent was beaming with delight for her brave hero.

Bruno explained that now that they knew Monsoon the Magician was the intended jewel thief, the good lads at the Chicago Police Department would have little trouble finding him.

The guests admitted this was the grandest and certainly most exciting benefit they had ever attended, and joyfully donated twice the money to the cause, as they normally would have parted with.

Download Permission: You may create electronic files, or print copies of the above short story for your personal use. You may not use the short story in a ‘for sale’ venue. Copyright date and origination information, including author’s name, must accompany all downloads.

‘Dust Webs’ Mystery Magazine – www.apex-ephemera.com

Email: mysteryshortstories@yahoo.com

Address to: Editor