"HANDCUFF KING."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13917, 31 May 1909, Page 3

"HANDCUFF KING."

A Paris message of April 7th . says: Houdini, the ''Handcuff King," who is appearing in Paris music-halls, provicied some excitement for Parisians that afternoon. The many , idlers who were basking in the sunshine close up to the river noticed an automobile -pull tip at the Morgue. A man clad in the briefest of bathing; costumes,descended, to the wonderment of the spectators. Two fellow-passerigers who had , also descended from the' automobile gripped the scantily-clad man, secured . Ins wrists with handcuffs, and bound his arms tightly. The crowd, believing it had to do with a band of lunatics, shotited for ,police assistance. _ Four policemen, who had been dozin"- on dutv at the side of. Notre Dame, suddenly woke up and ran towards the wildly gesticulating . crowd. the meantime the principal "lunatic by the aid of a ladder, had climbed to the roof of the .Morgue. He stood there for a moment with his enchained hands held above his-head, while the four policemen below looked helplessly on. ".Come down," said one policeman, eoaxingly. The man's reply was to plunge headlong into the river. "He is gone without a doubt," was the general comment of the spectators ot the incident. ij.ii There was an immediate rush tp-tne bank. Two working men and a policeman flung off their coats and plunger' in, hoping t-n save the "madman when he came to the surface. He appeared presently with his arms freed from the'chains, and before the police could reach him was rescued bv ajiont which put mrt : from the opposite bank. On reaching shore lie jumped into the motor, and was driven off. ■ The police, however, discovered Houdiui's identity, and he is to be prosecuted for being improperly dressed and foe bathing in the Seine during prohibited hours.