Who was The Great Lafayette

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Q.� Famous

A.� Oh yes - and well-paid. He is described as one of the most popular entertainers of the early 20th Century, combining mystifying illusions, elaborate quick-changes and a spectacular act. He was paid an even more amazing �350 a week. He was, however, a little ... um ... er...

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Q.� Strange

A.� Let's say eccentric. He was a bachelor, reclusive and lived with his adored cross-bred terrier, named Beauty, a gift from Harry Houdini. The little dog slept on velvet cushions, dined at the table and wore a gold collar studded with diamonds. A statuette of the dog adorned the radiator of Lafayette's silver Mercedes. Lafayette's London home had special rooms for Beauty, fitted with dog-sized settees and miniature porcelain baths.

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Q.� I see trouble ahead.

A.� Yes. This obsessive behaviour was always going to end sadly. Lafayette opened a two-week season at the Empire Theatre of Varieties, Edinburgh, on 1 May, 1911. Four days later Beauty died of a fit, probably caused by over-feeding. The grief-stricken Lafayette had the dog laid out, surrounded by lilies in his rooms at the Caledonian Hotel. Lafayette was given permission to have the dog interred at Piershill Cemetery, Edinburgh, provided he was buried in the same place. That happened sooner than anyone would think.

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Q.� How

A.� On 9 May, 3,000 spectators packed the Empire Theatre. Lafayette was the show finale. The climax was an act called the Lion's Bride which involved cushions, tents, tapestries and curtains to create a mysterious Oriental setting. A young woman in Oriental dress entered the cage where an African lion paced up and down. As she set foot inside, the lion roared and prepared to pounce ... then the animal skin parted to reveal The Great Lafayette who had changed places with the lion.

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Q.� A show of great surprises, then

A.� Yes - and as The Great Lafayette took his bow, a lamp fell on the scenery which instantly caught fire. This was just another amazing stunt, thought the audience. Then a spear of flame shot over the footlights and into the stalls. This was no trick. It was real.

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Q.� Casualties

A.� Eleven died, including members of the orchestra, stage hands, a midget called Little Joe, and Alice Dale, a tiny 15-year-old girl who operated a mechanical Teddy bear.

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Q.� And the Great Lafayette

A.� Witnesses said Lafayette escaped but returned in an attempt to save a horse used in the stage act. A charred body, dressed in Lafayette's costume, was found near the stage, but proved to be one of the doubles used in his act. Had the great magician really escaped death No: another body was found under the stage - wearing the diamond rings that Lafayette always wore.

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Q.� So he was buried with his faithful hound

A.� Yes - and the funeral ceremony, in case you hadn't already suspected, was bizarre.�The first car in the long cortege was Lafayette's Mercedes, a Dalmatian the sole passenger. At the cemetery, Beauty's coffin was opened and Lafayette's ashes placed beside the dog.

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By Steve Cunningham