The spirit cabinet

the long version

From inside front cover: After a long slow climb out of the strip clubs and fleshpots of Europe, Jurgen and Rudolfo have hit the big time in Las Vegas, headlining a magic act at the Abraxas Hotel. ... Their act churns along with the aid of the beauteous box-jumper Miranda and of Samson, an ancient albino leopard who can bark like a dog and operate mechanical devices. Rudolfo, a true misfit, who longs to twin his soul with Jurgen's, is happy with their success. But Jurgen ... hungers for more -- and finds it in a musty, mysterious collection of old manuscripts, automata and magic cabinetry that once belonged to Harry Houdini. ... Quarrington lovingly describes the chaos that results when Jurgen ... turns into the miracle-working saint of the Las Vegas strip.