Summary

Chapter 1. The novel opens on a domestic scene in New Rochelle, New York. The upper-class family remains nameless, rather they are referred to throughout the novel as Mother, Father, the little boy, and Mother’s Younger Brother. The family’s fortune resides in the manufacturing of various patriotic paraphernalia such as fireworks and flags. Mother’s Younger Brother is in love with Evelyn Nesbit. Evelyn Nesbit’s husband, Harry K. Thaw, is facing trail for murdering her ex-lover, architect Stanford White, in a fit of passion. The little boy largely left to his own devices, dreams of escaping from his family and town. He is incredibly fond of escape artist and magician, Harry Houdini, whose car breaks down in front of the house one day. Father invites Houdini in for tea while the car is being fixed and tells Houdini of his plans to journey...