Preface: sleuthing the Houdini story -- He was born, but where? -- From rags to rags -- King of the necktie cutters -- The Pygmalion of East 69th Street -- Dressing up the act -- Magic for sale! -- Mr. Beck beckons -- Don't walk on the grass -- The queen's dress -- The Siberian mystery -- Double-crossing -- The ink-stained wretch -- The life expectancy of an eggshell -- Unmasking an icon -- Walking through a brick wall -- One elephant to go -- The movie star -- The man who fooled Sherlock Holmes -- The phantom follies -- The pajama pocket -- Postmortem -- Digging around in Houdini's past.