His appendix was ruptured, almost certainly from Whitehead’s punches. And then Harry Houdini died. He was probably the most talented person in history at surviving big risks. Tie him up in chains and throw him into a river? No problem. Bury him alive in sand? No issue, he could escape in seconds—because he had a plan. But a little jab from a student that he didn’t see coming and wasn’t prepared for? That was the biggest risk.
