Chaucer was by no means the first to turn shrewd eyes upon wonder-workers and show the clay feet of these popular idols.

And since his time innumerable marvels, held to be supernatural, have been exposed for the tricks they were.

Yet to-day, if a mystifier lack the ingenuity to invent a new and startling stunt, he can safely fall back upon a trick that has been the favorite of pressagents the world over in all ages.

He can imitate the Hindoo fakir who, having thrown a rope high into the air, has a boy climb it until he is lost to view.

He can even have the feat photographed.