Magician's Fire by Simon Nicholson

up—I don’t think so.” He was speaking quickly now. “The more exotic the better, probably. Billie and I had a quick think, and with the help of a few more books, we invented a whole new magician for her to be—Princess Moldo. That’s who she’s going to check in as!”
    â€œPrincess Moldo?” Harry had no idea what to say.
    â€œThe famous illusionist from Peru. I’ve been running around like mad ever since, finding out a few other things, buying the bits of costume, the dress, the umbrella—and not forgetting those dark spectacles.” He pointed back down toward where Billie had been, wearing those glittering frames. “Do you know they actually come from Peru? From Lima? Found them in an antique shop—the Princess Moldo spectacles, I’m calling them.”
    â€œBut costume, spectacles, umbrellas—it must have cost a fortune…” Harry butted in.
    â€œA fair bit, yes, but my allowance covered it.” Arthur tapped his wallet inside his jacket. “What else am I going to spend my money on, apart from my friends? Us and our plans, Harry, that’s all that matters.” Briefly, that troubled look returned. “To me, anyway…”
    It might just work . Harry was still taking in a lot of what Arthur had said, but clearly this scheme was a good one, and so far it had worked. But would it continue to succeed? Getting through the door disguised as a Peruvian illusionist was clever. There was no question about that. But how exactly was Billie going to break into Room 760 itself? What about checking in at the hotel reception desk, which would need forms filled in and questions answered, during which time her disguise could easily be detected? All risky…
    â€œHarry? What are you doing?”
    â€œI’m going in too.” Harry was back on the rail. “Like I said, I’m almost there anyway.”
    â€œBut Billie and me… We’re the ones who are doing this!”
    â€œWhy can’t we carry out my plan too?” One foot edged out on the rope. “Doubles our chances in case something goes wrong. Herbie’s been kidnapped, Artie! Zell could be doing all sorts of stuff to him, and he won’t stop until he gets the secrets to Herbie’s tricks and—”
    â€œI know all that!” Arthur’s face was red again, bright red. “Look, the whole Princess Moldo plan depends on the hotel staff not suspecting a thing! If you burst in there and get caught, then—”
    â€œI’m not going to get caught, am I? Just guard the rope, Artie!”
    â€œI don’t need to! Just like you don’t need to do this trick of yours!”
    â€œI’ll be back soon!”
    â€œHarry! You’re not listening to me again!”
    â€œThis is all for Herbie! That’s what matters!”
    â€œOf course it’s about Herbie! Why else do you think me and Billie thought up our—”
    â€œRemember the rope!”
    â€œHarry! Stop acting like you don’t want anything to do with me! I’ve got enough of that in my life already!”
    Harry swung around and saw his friend’s face. He had never seen it look quite like that before. It was trembling all over. Artie’s hand was trembling too, as it reached into his pocket and tore out a letter, the letter to the school, the one Harry had helped snatch just a few hours ago.
    â€œNext thing, you’ll want to send me 452 miles away too! You won’t have to listen to me then! Is that what you want? Is it? Is it—”
    â€œWhoa!”
    Harry had lost his balance. He recovered it the only way he could, by swinging his foot right around and planting it on the rope out over the street. He was balanced again, but he had also started the walk, and he couldn’t stop. He had to keep walking, walking out over the street. Perhaps that’s for the best . The echoes of Artie’s words were still shuddering