The servant turned around and quietly slipped away before Mrs. Thurlow could say anything, leaving the beggar standing there.

"Good evening," he said, scanning the ceiling.

No one answered, shocked at the beggar's presence, but the bishop quickly walked over to introduce him properly.

"Amadeus, I'm sorry I bailed on you," he said quietly.

Everyone looked at them speechless. The contrast between the imposing figure of the bishop, in his pristine attire and the ragged beggar beside him was striking.

"You won't believe this, but Amadeus is a magician!"

The beggar nodded foolishly, supporting the bishop. "And also a musician," he added, with a dumb smile.

"Really?" asked the bishop in surprise. "Well, magician, musician... potato, potahto. I thought you had a problem with your... you know what."

"Steady hand? Not anymore, Father. One hundred and ten days so far.”

“Well that's great, but let's focus on your other stuff..." the bishop replied uneasiliy.

The beggar looked as if he had never hurt a fly. “What other tstuff?” he asked, confused, ”You mean the weird thing that happened after the first thing? Or the thing I had when you caught me doing my thing?”

“Amadeus, I mean the thing you do with your thingies,” the bishop said with a straight face.

“Ah, my thingies! But I don't have the whole shibang with me... I'd need a little table, my top hat, and Rufus, the rabbit. Although the guy's gotten so chubby lately that he doesn't fit into the top hat anymore,” he said with a chuckle.

The bishop's patience was wearing thin. The magician (and musician) had shown up unexpectedly and spoiled the fun. But seeing the bishop's struggle, Mrs. Thurlow came to the rescue.

"Amadeus, did you say you were a musician?” she asked.

"Yes ma'am, and also a magician" replied the beggar, holding his hat with both hands. The bishop rolled his eyes.

“Can you play the piano?”

“Yes, even with my eyes closed if I had to!” the beggar boasted.

“So please, play something nice!” she urged.

"But Mrs. Thurlow, what about the answer to the riddle?" the senator asked.

"One thing at a time, Senator. Now we have bigger fish to fry ," she said, as she fanned herself.

Amadeus quickly walked away from the bishop and sat down at the piano.