cy the
payment need not be made merely to you. I quite respect your feelings in
the matter.

DUKE. [_Approvingly._] Quite so, quite so. Haven't you got a Cause or
something? Everybody has a cause now, you know. Conjurers' widows or
something of that kind.

CONJURER. [_With restraint._] No; I have no widows.

DUKE. Then something like a pension or annuity for any widows you
may--er--procure. [_Gaily opening his cheque-book and talking slang to
show there is no ill-feeling._] Come, let me call it a couple of thou.

[_The_ CONJURER _takes the cheque and looks at it in a grave and
doubtful way. As he does so the_ RECTOR _comes slowly into the
room._

CONJURER. You would really be willing to pay a sum like this to know
the way I did that trick?

DUKE. I would willingly pay much more.

DOCTOR. I think I explained to you that the case is serious.

CONJURER. [_More and more thoughtful._] You would pay much more....
[_Suddenly._] But suppose I tell you the secret and you find there's
nothing in it?

DOCTOR. You mean that it's really quite simple? Why, I should say that
that would be the best thing that could possibly happen. A little
healthy laughter is the best possible thing for convalescence.

CONJURER. [_Still looking gloomily at the cheque._] I do not think you
will laugh.

DUKE. [_Reasoning genially._] But as you say it is something quite
simple.

CONJURER. It is the simplest thing there is in the world. That is why
you will not laugh.

DOCTOR. [_Almost nervously._] Why, what do you mean? What shall we do?

CONJURER. [_Gravely._] You will disbelieve it.

DOCTOR. And why?

CONJURER. Because it is so simple. [_He springs suddenly to his feet,
the cheque still in his hand._] You ask me how I really did the last
trick. I will tell you how I did the last trick. I did it by magic.

[_The_ DUKE _and_ DOCTOR _stare at him motionless; but the_ REV.
SMITH _starts and takes a step nearer the table. The_ CONJURER
_pulls his cloak round his shoulders. This gesture, as of
departure, brings the_ DOCTOR _to his feet._

DOCTOR. [_Astonished and angry._] Do you really mean that you take the
cheque and then tell us it was only magic?

CONJURER. [_Pulling the cheque to pieces._] I tear the cheque, and I
tell you it was only magic.

DOCTOR. [_With violent sincerity._] But hang it all, there's no such
thing.

CONJURER. Yes there is. I wish to God I did not know that there is.

DU