In this post, we look at some of the questions that appeared in the Ask Houdini section.

No. 1

What is meant by a clairaudient?

No. 2

Believing that most people approach the hour of death with fear and apprehension, regardless of the scientific proofs of the existence of psychic phenomena, don’t you think that belief in the religion of spiritualism is to be encouraged if only that it helps to relieve this fear and that it would, too, assuage the grief of those who mourn for a departed one.

No. 3

I have before me a well known spiritualism publication which devotes a lot of space to your activities in the world of magic and escapes. In view of your present stand on the subject of spiritualism, I am curious to learn what you have to say concerning the following:

“The controversy raging round the performance of a lady entertainer, who, posing as a ‘medium,’ recently mystified an audience composed of people well known in spiritualism and psychical research, re-opens the question as to the possibility of conjurers doing some of their sensational tricks by means other than normal. For example, Houdini opening a jail cell door in under 3 seconds with the keyhole sealed or Houdini opening a new strong room, secured by the latest time-locks.

No. 4

I am curious to hear your views on sleep. Do you think that when you lie down and fall asleep (you cannot remember the moment you do) that you pass from one state of existence into another?

No. 5

Do you believe that a person who suddenly lost a very dear friend would naturally be in a better position to communicate with the departed than one less acquainted, if there actually is such a thing as communication with the dead?

No. 6

Have you heard of John Slater, whose home was in California? I think he is the man who comes to Lilly Dale every summer and lectures and gives readings. What do you think of his work?

No. 7

In the first installment of your story, The Spirit Fakers of Hermannstadt,” you state that you were playing Vienna at the time. If I am not mistaken , I had the pleasure of viewing  one of your performances, though it might have been Berlin. I was very much interested in the story, and, knowing as I do the superstitions of those people, I can appreciate the predicament you were place in. I await your further experiences with interest.

No. 8

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No. 9

You say that you want to expose fraud mediums. But are there not also legitimate mediums, who can stand every test imposed on them?

No. 10

What is the ritual of “Black Mass”? Looking for a detailed description.

No. 11

Is Swami Bhakta Vishita, Hindoo master and author of “The Development of Seership, Hindoo and other Oriental Methods” a fraud?  Also, what about a lady that came this winter from Lilly Dale, N.Y. and has been conducting a spiritualist church in the Moose Hall in Daytona Florida all season and professes to be a medium.

No. 12

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No. 13.

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No. 14.

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No. 15.

I am seeking the supreme ruling powers. Can you enlighten me?

No. 16

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A future post will look at Houdini’s answers to these questions.