YOU are America's first celebrity superhero, Harry Houdini, "The King of Cuffs." You have enchanted audiences across the United States with your death-defying live escapes ... But one follower of your act has a serious request: with all of your sleight of hand and feats of strength and intelligence, will you, Harry Houdini, become a spy to learn information abroad and help the United States?

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini lives in the house where Houdini spent his final years, so he has always been interested in the famous magician, and has even learned a few simple magic tricks; he just never expected Houdini to contact him from beyond the grave--and what Houdini wants him to do could well cost Harry his own life.