The Man Who Was Magic by Paul Gallico Read Free Book Online

ends with, ‘Presto! Change-o!’ Then I give a jerk with my left hand which pulls the string. The cage collapses and disappears up my right sleeve. If you look closely you can see that the wires are just loosely looped together and the whole thing goes quite flat.”
    “And this they call magic?” said Mopsy.
    Adam ignored the remark and said, “What about Albert? Does he go flat too? What happens to him?”
    “Not exactly. He goes up my sleeve as well. That’s why he hates this trick so.”
    “But isn’t that cruel?” Adam asked.
    “Not really,” replied the magician. “It’s the only work he is ever called upon to do and besides, he doesn’t stay there long. Right after the applause—that is, if there is any—I rush backstage out of sight, take off my coat—which is why I wear rather a large one, so that he won’t suffocate—dig him out of my sleeve, give him some poppy seed he regards as a special treat and in a few minutes he’s back in his real cage, as right as rain.”
    “I call that amazing. You must be wonderful. What’s your name?”
    “Ninian,” replied his neighbor. “Ninian the Nonpareil. What’s yours?”
    “Adam. And this is my assistant Jane and my talking dog Mopsy.”
    “Delighted,” said Ninian. “So sorry I can’t shake hands or pat the little fellow, but as you can see . . .” and he waggled his elbows to indicate his situation once more.
    “What does ‘Nonpareil’ mean, Mr. Ninian?” Jane asked.
    The sad-looking magician reflected and then replied, “I’m not sure I quite know, myself. But it sounds good, doesn’t it? Ninian the Nonpareil. I think, actually, it means something like I’m unique; there’s no one quite like me. And do you know, it’s probably a good thing, because I’m afraid I’m the world’s worst magician. I try so very, very hard but everything I do seems to go wrong.”
    “Oh, poor Mr. Ninian,” Jane whispered sympathetically. “I don’t believe that.”
    “I’m afraid it’s true,” Ninian said. “But what a charming young lady. How fortunate you are, Mr. Adam, to have such a delightful helper. Now, I haven’t even got an assistant.”
    “But I thought you had to have one. That it was in the rules?” Adam said.
    “Special dispensation,” replied Ninian gloomily. “Nobody will have me. The girls don’t want to be made fools of. I’m really quite awful.”
    “Well, I don’t see what can happen to you this time,” Adam declared. For as he studied the thing Ninian held between his hands, he saw that though from a distance it looked like a real birdcage, actually it was as the magician had described.
    “You’d be surprised,” said Ninian. “The last cage collapsed, but didn’t disappear. Albert raised what-for. He was furious. The Magicians’ Animals Protective Association accused me of needless cruelty. I had to pay a fine and was flunked as well. I tried it again and just pulled the top of the cage off. Albert got out. It took us half an hour to catch him. He left a visiting card on one of the honored guests. I was fined again.” Then he added mournfully, “This is my last chance.”
    “Can’t you apply again?” Adam asked.
    “No,” Ninian replied and Jane and Adam saw the beginning of tears gathering in the corners of his sad eyes. “If you fail three times in the eliminations, that’s it. And they publish it and everybody knows. I shall never be able to put G.M.M., which stands for ‘Guild of Master Magicians,’ after my name. I suppose it was stupid of me to insist upon trying the third time.”
    “It certainly looks like it,” said Mopsy.
    “Mopsy, that’s naughty!” Adam scolded. “Can’t you see the poor man is in trouble?” Then addressing himself to Ninian, he asked, “Would you like us to help you?”
    Ninian stared at them in surprise. “Help me?” he queried. “Why, I’ll be out there on the floor all by myself. What could you do?”
    “What can he do?” echoed Mopsy. “Better ask