 Taking his abilities on the road , Ali met an Italian man in Cairo who signed him to a contract for music hall performances . Ali performed under contract throughout Europe and at times for heads of state . According to Ali , in or about 1914 he was summoned by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to perform at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg , Russia . He stated that the Tsar " must have liked my performance because he awarded me a special decoration , which is now one of my most treasured possessions . " Following World War I , Ali began managing his own affairs and toured the world , learning more tricks as he went . 
 Taking his abilities on the road , Ali met an Italian man in Cairo <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>signed him to a contract for music hall performances . Ali performed under contract throughout Europe and at times for heads of state . According to Ali , in or about 1914 he was summoned by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to perform at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg , Russia . He stated that the Tsar " must <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>have</mark></a> liked my performance because he awarded me a special decoration , which <a href='drop_aux' title='3'><mark>is</mark></a>now one of my most treasured possessions . " Following World War I , Ali began managing his own affairs and toured the world , learning more tricks as he went . 
Taking his abilities on da road , Ali met an Italian man in Cairo signed him to a contract fa music hall performances . Ali performed under contract throughout Europe and at times ffaheads of state . According to Ali , in or about 1914 he was summoned by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to perform at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg , Russia . He stated that the Tsar " must done liked mah performance bc he awarded me a special decoration , which now one ofmahy most treasured possessions . " Following World War I , Ali began managing his own affairs and toured tdaworld , learning more tricks as he went .