Designer: P.T. Selbit

Though the exact details of the Mystery Maid are obscure, P.T. Selbit: Magical Innovator records a report of the general effect when it was performed in the Devonport Hippodrome in 1916:

The curtain rises to disclose a large square cabinet of light construction. This is suspended on a spring balance which indicates the weight of the structure. A carpet, rolled up at the back of the stage, is unrolled and on this the cabinet is lowered. A committee from the audience is invited to inspect the cabinet, which is surrounded, and eventually entirely enclosed by opaque curtains.

The “mystery maid” is introduced, and after the lady’s hands have been fastened by paper bands to the arms of a chair, the assistant is placed in the cabinet, which is hoisted about four feet in the air. The spring balance now indicates the increased weight. Two trestles are now placed beneath the cabinet, and the latter lowered until supported by the trestles.

Baskets of fruit, bowls of water and other bulky articles are now materialized. The cabinet is afterwards lowered to the stage, and the assistant, disguised in a flowing veil, is led by the performer to the wings. The curtains are closed and instantly reopened, revealing the assistant still seated on the chair, minus the veil, with hands still tied by the paper bands as at first.

The committee is now again invited to inspect the cabinet. When the curtains had been opened for the various productions, the interior had been dimly illuminated by a hanging lamp. The illusion is presented by Mr. P.T. Selbit, who introduces many humorous interludes with his committee.