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m y s ter ies
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L f B t f ,
T he p e r fo rm a n d fold th e m i H e th e n co l lec ts c o
m p a n y w h a t t
B e fo re in t ro th e s l ip s o f p ape
A f t e r co l lec t th e h a t b u t h is says , Som ebody h e
h a s h im s e l f v rec t , he r e a d s c slip , a n d t a k e s
c he is su p p o s e d t a n s w e r i n g th e q o w n s l ip in
th e
WILL ALMA ___M.l.M.C. (LONDON)
CTim i te d n erve , s r t c o n ju r e r , ey o r s im i l a r
:e k e y s a r e l e r s f u rn i s h pu rp o se . A
n e r s s l ipper , f t h e h a n d s ,o s e c u re th e s m u
ch sk i l l u t a f t e r y o u a n a c le s , etc.,
l ip s o f p a p e r b y a n y one.
iem, t e l l s th e
on on one of
.ny s l ip f ro m u g h t f u l w a y th e q u e s t io n a t h
e is co r -
Dwn s e c re te d f ro m w h ich
th e h a t a n d s r l e a v e s h is
1 seal< fo rehead
lopes a re
T w elve questioa re co llec ted on a tra y ; p e rfo rm e r p
la ces env e lo p es in tu rn a g a in s t th e w r itin g in each
.
T H E S E C R E T : U n d e r edge o f tra y , a t ta c h e d by
m ean s of a pe lle t of w ax , is a d u p lic a te enve lope , c o
n ta in in g a b la n k ca rd , w h ich is ad d e d to th e r e s t
of env e lo p es on th e w ay back to s tag e , a n d one of th e g
e n u in e enve lopes b e in g palm ed (se c re tly he ld in th e h
a n d ) , by th e p e rfo rm e r.H e now w ipes h an d s an d face
w ith h an d k e rc h ie f, an d u n d e r co v e r o f d o in g th
is , he has d e ftly opened th e en ve lope a n d p alm ed the ca
rd . E n v e lo p e is th e n p laced in p o ck e t a lo n g w ith
h an d k e rc h ie f. A s s is ta n t now h an d s him an enve lope
from tra y , p e rfo rm e r p laces it a g a in s t fo reh ea d an
d re a d sth e w r itin g O N T H E C A R D P A L M E D , then o
pens theenve lope , rem oves th e c a rd , and h av in g ch a n g
ed th e la tte r for th e one in palm , h an d s b o th for in sp
ec tio n . T h e re m a in in g enve th e sam e m a n n e r , the
la st, of c o u rse b e in g the b la n k is re ta in e d .
MAGICAL FIN D IN G OF CHOSEN CARDST a k e s ix te e n d i f fe
re n t c a r d s f ro m p a c k a n d g iv e f o u r to
e ach o f f o u r o f y o u r s p e c t a to r s , t e l l i n g
e a c h to se lec t a c a rd f ro m th e f o u r a n d k e e p t h
a t c a rd in mind. T h e n co l lec t th e ca rd s , f a c e s dow
n, f ro m r i g h t to l e f t ; p u t t i n g ea c h fo u r t a k
e n u p o n th e p r e c e d in g four. T h e n on t a b l e d e a
l off c a r d s in f o u r piles , f a c e s d o w n ; t h e n p
ick up e ach pile in su c c e ss io n a n d a s k s p e c t a t o r
to r i g h t if h is c a rd is in t h a t pile. Do th i s w i th a
l l s p e c t a to r s , u n t i l you h a v e a s c e r t a in e d
in w h ich pile each of th e s p e c t a t o r ' s c a r d s a re .
You w il l now find th e TOPc a rd o f th e pi le in w h ic h r i g
h t h a n d m a n s' c a r d is, is th e c a rdhe se lec ted . T he
SECOND m a n s c a rd w il l be th e SECOND
TAo m c a rd in th e pile e l e c t e d ; T H IR D c a rd of T H
IR D m a n s pilea n d LAST c a rd o f le f t h a n d m a n s pile.
T h is is a v e r y n e a t t r ic k .
2
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STRAIG H T JACK ET ESC A PET h e s t r a i g h t j a c k e t is
u s e d by th e a s y lu m a u t h o r i t i e s to p u t on d a n
g e r
o u s l u n a t i c s to p r e v e n t t h e m f ro m d o in g h
a rm , a s i t is im p o ss ib le f o r t h e mto m ove a n y p a r
t o f t h e body. T h e s e c re t is s im p l i c i t y itse l f .
W h e n th e p e r f o r m e r is f a s t e n e d u p in it he e x
p a n d sh is bod y w h i l e h e is b e in g s t r a p p e d u p t
h e b a c k ; a l s ow h e n s le ev e s t r a p s a r e b e in g b
u c k le d . To e s c a p e h e d r a w s h i s s h o u l d e r s i
n w a r d ly , w h ich lo o se n s th e j a c k e t , fo rc e s r i
g h t h a n d o v e r h i s h e a d a n d b r i n g s s le ev e b u
c k le to f r o n t of body, w h e r e i t is u n b u c k l e d w i
t h h i s t e e th . H e w o r k s h i s h a n d s u p th e s le ev
e a n d p u l l s t h e j a c k e t o v e r h i s h ead , a n d o u
t co m e s t h e h a n d s . H e c a n t h e n u n f a s t e n t h
e s t r a p s a t t h e n e c k p a r t o f j a c k e t to g e t h
i s h e a d f ree , a n d t h e t r i c k is t h e n done. S t r e
n g th , n e rv e a n d g a l l is r e q u i r e d fo r t h i s t r
ic k . T h is e s c a p e can a lso be a c c o m p l i s h e d in m
i d a i r by f i rs t g e t t i n g in to j a c k e t a n d t h e n
b e in g h o i s t e d in to t h e a i r fe e t up. S am e m e t h
o d s a s a b o v e a r e u s e d in e s c a p i n g f ro m th e j
a c k e t .
Y A N K H O ES N U M B E R TRICKT h e k e y to t h i s is t h a
t h a l f o f w h a t e v e r s u m y o u r e q u e s t to b e a d
d e d
d u r i n g th e w o r k i n g o f t h e su m is th e r e m a in
d e r . In t h e e x a m p le g iv e n 5 is t h e h a l f o f ten ,
t h e n u m b e r r e q u e s t e d to be added . A n y a m o u n t
m a y be ad d ed , b u t t h e o p e r a t i o n is s im p lif ied
b y g i v i n g on ly e v e n n u m b e r s , a s t h e y w i l l d
iv id e w i t h o u t f r a c t io n s .
E X A M P L ET h in k o f
........................................................... 7 W h
ic h w i l l l e a v e ................................. 12D o u b
le i t ........................................................ 14
S u b t r a c t t h e n u m b e r t h o u g h t o f 7A d d 10 to i
t ...................................................... 10 T h e r
e m a i n d e r w i l l b e ....................... 5
H a l f i t
................................................................2
)2 4
CARD R E A D IN G EX TR A O R D IN A R YA f t e r s p e c t a t
o r sh u f f le s a p a c k o f ca rd s , p e r
f o r m e r f a n s th e m o u t ; c a r d s b e i n g h e ld in
a v e r t i c a l p o s i t io n a n d s p e c t a t o r is r e q u
e s t e d t o to u c h a card . S p e c t a to r s t a n d s b e f
o re t h e p e r f o r m e r a n d b a c k of c a r d s f a c i n g
p e r fo r m e r , w ho im m e d ia te ly n a m e s t h e c a r d
se lec ted . T H E S E C R E T : W h e n th e s p e c t a t o r to
u c h e s th e ca rd , t h e p e r f o r m e r sees t h e b a c k
of th e c a r d a n d p u s h e s th e t h u m b of r i g h t h a n
d u n d e r l e f t b o t t o m c o r n e r o f ca rd , j u s t e n
o u g h to see t h e index . T h e r e s t is easy . T h is is in d
e te c ta b le .
TW ISTER CARD TRICKIn t h i s t r i c k th e A ce of D ia m o n
d s a n d Ace of Spades , h e ld in s e p a r a te
h an d s , m y s t e r i o u s l y c h a n g e places . T H E S
E C R E T T h e tw o c a r d s u se d a r e b o th Ace o f D iam
onds , one o f th e s e is c o v e red by a f a k e c e n t e r of
a n A ce o f Spades. W h e n th e f a k e c e n t e r is h e ld o v
e r e i t h e r o f th e Ace o f D iam o n d s , it n a t u r a l l
y w i l l look l ik e a n Ace o f Spades . B e g in th e t r i c k
by s h o w in g t h e Ace of D ia m o n d s in one h a n d a n d th
e A ce of S p ad es in t h e o th e r . T u r n th e b a c k s o f
th e c a r d s t o w a r d s y o u r au d ien ce , a n d co m m e n
c e to m o v e t h e c a r d s b a c k a n d f o r t h t o w a r d
s each o th e r , b r i n g in g t h e m c lo s e r a t ea c h m
ove, a n d f ina l ly w h e n th e e n d s touch , s l ip th e f a
k e c e n t e r on t h e o t h e r ca rd . S top th e m o v e m e n
t g r a d u a l l y , sh o w th e c a r d s face o u t to au d ie n
c e , a n d th e c h a n g e a p p a r e n t ly h a s t a k e n
place. A n y m a g ic a l h o u s e w i l l s u p p ly th e s e c a
r d s i f y o u do n o t c a r e to m a k e t h e m y o u rse l f
.
3
The State Library of Victoria ALMA CONJURING COLLECTION
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TH E SV E N G A L I W O N D ER CARD TRICKT h is is a b ew ild e
r in g a n d s im p le tr ic k . T h e p e rfo rm e r s p re a d s
seven c a rd s in a ro w
on th e ta b le . H e e x h ib its a sm all sea led en v e lo p
e w hich he p laces in h is p o c k e t. A f te r so m eo n e se le
c ts o n e of th e seven c a rd s , i t is b u rn e d to ash es ,
th e a sh es ru b b ed b e tw e en th e h a n d s a n d th ro w n
in to th e a ir . T h e en v e lope is n ow h an d e d to a s p e c
ta to r an d upo n o p en in g i t th e n am e o f th e c a rd se
le c te d w ill b e fo u n d w r itte n on a s lip of p a p e r in
side .
T H E S E C R E T : T h e m a g ic ian h a s seven sm all e n
velopes, each o n e c o n ta in in g th e n am e of a s in g le ca
rd .S ix o f th e se a re in h is p o c k e t w hen h e b eg in s ,
in r e g u la r o rd e r , so he can in s ta n t ly find th e one
he desire s.T h e re m a in in g o n e is show n as if i t w ere th
e on ly one b e in g u sed , a n d th e n tu c k ed aw ay w ith th
e s ix o th e rs .T h e r e s t o f th e tr ic k sh o u ld n ow b e
c lea r.
TH E ART OF VENTRILO Q UISMS e c u re one o r tw o v e n t r i l
o q u i a l f ig u re s a n d y o u a r e p r e p a r e d f o r w o
rk .
Select y o u r d ia lo g u e a n d p r a c t i c e th e fo l lo
w in g :S ta n d b e fo re a m i r r o r a n d sp e ak . W h i l e
s p e a k in g , m a i n t a i n a f ixe ty o f
c o u n te n a n c e a n d a r i g id i t y o f m u s c le s a n
d n e r v e s a b o u t t h e fa c e a n d lips, so t h a t no v is
ib le m o v e m e n t c a n be no t iced .
B e g in by s a y i n g a s d i s t i n c t ly a s poss ib le t
h e v o w e l s o u n d s A -E - I -O -U .N e x t c lose t h e m o
u th a n d r e s t t h e u p p e r t e e t h on the) i n n e r p a
r t o f th e
loW er lip, b u t be s u r e y o u r e x p re s s io n is e a s
y a n d n a t u r a l . I f i t i s n t, m a k e i t so. Now, p r a
c t i c e t h e v o w e l s o u n d s ag a in .
Some l e t t e r s c a n n o t be e a s i ly p r o n o u n c e d
in v e n t r i lo q u i s m . T h e s e a r e p, b, a n d m. All w
o r d s c o n t a i n i n g th e s e l e t t e r s w i l l be h a r
d to sp e a k . W h e n n e c e s s a ry to u t t e r su c h a w o
r d y o u sh o u ld s u b s t i t u t e so m e s i m i l a r so u n
d s , o r t u r n y o u r m o u th a w a y f ro m t h e au d ie n c
e , so t h a t y o u c a n m o v e y o u r l ips w i t h o u t b e
in g seen. T h e f o r m e r m e th o d , h o w e v e r , is p r e
f e r a b l e a n d sh o u ld be g e n e r a l l y a dop ted .
F o r i n s t a n c e : I f y o u w is h to p ro n o u n c e a w
o r d w i t h a p in i t ; s u b s t i t u t e f o r k . F o r p i
a n o s a y f e a n o o r k e a n o . F o r m s a y n o r n g . F o
r m o la s s e s s a y n o la s s e s . F o r b s u b s t i t u t e
v o r g . F o r b e i n g s a y v e i n g o r g e in g .
S p e a k in t h e n a t u r a l vo ice o r t h e v o ice o f
som e c h a r a c t e r y o u w i s h to im p e r s o n a t e . F o
r i n s ta n c e , i f y o u h a v e a n I r i s h f igure , t a l
k in t h e p e c u l i a r b r o g u e k n o w n to t h e I r i s h
people. Y o u r su c c e ss d e p e n d s on h o w w e l l y o u w
o r k y o u r f igures . T h e d e lu s io n is c a r r i e d o u t
b y th e m o v a b le j a w , h e n c e t h e r e is no n eed o f t
h e so u n d o f a n y d i s t a n t voice. I f y o u p la c e a f
ig u re on e i t h e r s ide o f you, 12 f e e t d i s t a n t , a
n d s p e a k w i t h o u t m o v in g t h e lips, t h e v o ice w
i l l a p p a r e n t l y com e f ro m th e f ig u re w h o s e j a
w m oves . H o w e v e r , y o u m u s t u se a l i t t l e t r i c
k e r y a n d in d i c a t e to t h e a u d ie n c e b y w o r d o
r g e s tu r e , f ro m w h ic h f ig u re t h e vo ice w i l l
come.
B y f o l lo w in g t h e a b o v e ru le s , y o u sh o u ld b
e a b le to u s e f i g u re s in a co u p le o f w eek s .
BITIN G N A IL S IN TWOT h e m e n w h o do t h i s do n o t u s
e s te e l n a i l s , b u t t h e y u s e c a s t - i r o n ones
,
w h o s e g r a i n m a k e s t h e m b r e a k m o r e eas i ly
. T h e n a i l s a r e n o t b i t t e n in tw o , a s is c o m m
o n ly su pposed , b u t t h e y a r e s im p ly b r o k e n b y t
h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e f ingers . To b i t e a n a i l in tw
o , p u t t h e t h u m b o f r i g h t h a n d u n d e r n a i l
in m idd le , w i t h in d ex f inge r on to p o f n a i l a t t h
e r i g h t . T h e n p u t t h e o t h e r en d o f n a i l b e t
w e e n y o u r t e e t h on l e f t s ide o f m o u th . P u s h d
o w n s h a r p l y a n d s t r o n g l y w i t h y o u r in d e x
f inger, a n d c r a c k g o e s t h e nai l . T r y t h i s w i t
h a l e a d penci l , so y o u g e t t h e k n a c k o f i t b e f
o re u s i n g t h e c a s t - i r o n nail .
THE B A L A N C E D CARDA c a r d f r e e ly sh o w n is b a l a
n c e d on t h e p a lm o f t h e h a n d . T h is is a c c o m
p l i sh e d b y m e a n s o f a s h o r t l e n g t h o f fine
b l a c k t h r e a d a t t a c h e d to t h e c o a t s le eve b y
m e a n s o f a b l a c k pin. T h e e n d o f t h r e a d c o n t
a i n s a p e l l e t of w a x , a t t a c h e d to f r o n t b u t
t o n o f coa t . Sh o w ca rd , a t t a c h en d of t h r e a d to
to p b y m e a n s o f t h e p e l l e t o f w a x a n d b a l a n
c e on p a lm o f h an d . P i c k u p ca rd , d i s l o d g e w a
x a n d t h r o w c a r d to a u d ie n c e , p r o v i n g i t u n
p r e p a r e d .
_____________________________________________________________4
_____________________ _____
-
TH E R ISIN G CARDS FROM POCKET
A ca rd chosen from th e p ac k b y th e s p e c ta to r is r e
tu rn e d to th e p ac k . T h e c a rd s a r e shuffled. T h e c a
rd is now co m m an d ed to p a ss in to th e p e r fo rm e rs pock
e t.
T h e p e rfo rm e r th ro w s b ac k h is c o a t on le f t s
id e , sh o w in g th e v es t, from th e p o c k e t o f w h ich
th e c h o sen c a rd ia seen to slo w ly rise .
S E C R E T : T h e p e rfo rm e r h as b e fo re h a n d p la c
e d in to h is v e s t p o ck e t on th e le f t s id e a d u p lic
a te of th e c a rd h e in te n d s to fo rce upon th e sp e c ta
to r .
T h e c a rd h a s a p iece o f b la c k s ilk th re a d a t ta
c h e d to i t by m e a n s o f w ax .
T h is th re a d ru n s from th e c a rd , u p o v e r th e le
ft sh o u ld e r a n d dow n th e b ac k o f th e p e rfo rm e r ,
u n d e r th e c o a t, e n d in g a t th e b o tto m edge o f th e
v es t. T o th is end a sm all b u t to n s h o u ld b e a t ta c h
e d so p e rfo rm e r can q u ic k ly lo c a te th e en d of th re
a d .
A f te r th e c a rd is fo rced it is r e tu rn e d to p ac k a
n d th e ca rd is co m m an d ed to p a ss in to p o ck e t of p e
rfo rm e r. T h e le f t h a n d n ow th ro w s b a c k th e c o a
t on le ft s ide , th u s sh o w in g le f t s id e of v es t. T h
e h a n d a t th e sam e tim e g e ts p o sse ss io n of th e b u
tto n w ith th e th re a d , a n d th e h a n d is re s te d in a n
a tu r a l
w ay on th e le ft h ip . B y n ow slo w ly p u ll in g on th e
th re a d th e c a rd w ill r is e o u t o f th e p o ck e t.
W IN N IN G AT CARDS E X PO SE DSince t h e d a y w h e n g a m
e s o f c h a n c e w e r e i n
v e n te d , n u m b e r s o f m e n h a v e d e v o te d th e m
s e lv e s to t h e STU D Y o f m e th o d s by w h ic h t h e y
cou ld m a k e t h e i r c h a n c e o f su c c e s s G R E A T E R
t h a n t h a t o f t h e i r o p p o n e n ts . P l a n s h a v e
b e e n a d o p te d w h ic h r i v a l in i n g e n u i t y t h e
s l e i g h t - o f - h a n d o f so m e o f t h e p r o f e s s o
r s in l e g e r d e m a in . I n c a r d g a m e s ,T E L E G R A
P H IN G a n d M A R K E D CA R D S a r e u s u - u a l ly u se d
th e g a m b l e r o f t e n m a r k i n g t h e c a r d s w i t h
h i s t h u m b n a i l d u r i n g t h e g a m e a n d a t t h een
d o f a f e w h a n d s h e k n o w s p r a c t i c a l l y e v e
ry
-
SE N SA T IO N A L BOX, B A SK E T A N D T R U N K ESC A PEAll t
r u n k s a n d t rave l ing - b a s k e t s a r e
m a d e w i th a lock h a s p , a n d th e s e h asp s , a l s o
th e h in g e s a r e he ld on by m e a n s o f s m a l l b o l t s
w h ich g o t h r o u g h to th e inside. TO E S C A P E : U n s c
re w th e nutg, p u s h b o l t s ou t , g e t o u t of b a s k e t
or t r u n k , p ick t h e lock o r o pen w i th d u p l i c a t e
k ey , p lace h a s p a n d b o l t s b a c k , lock sa m e u p a n
d m a k e y o u r a p p e a r a n c e . A sp e c ia l p a c k i n g
c a s e f ro m w h ic h y o u c a n ea s i ly e s c a p e m a y b^
c o n s t r u c t e d on ab o v e lines, a n d e s c a p e m a d e
b y s im p ly u n s c r e w i n g th e n u t s a n d p u s h i n g
off th e h a s p s a n d locks . P i les , s m a l l w re n c h , s
c r e w d r i v e r a n d f l a s h l ig h t a r e n e c e s s a ry
.
E N T E R T A IN IN G AT A PA R TYY ou c a n b e a s h i n i n g
s t a r a t a n y p a r t y
b y l e a r n i n g a f e w t r i c k s , p u r c h a s i n g
one o r tw o good t r i c k d e c k s o f c a r d s a n d m a s t e
r i n g th e i n s t r u c t i o n s w h ic h a c c o m p a n y
them .A n y o n e w i s h in g a b a r r e l of f u n sh o u ld n o
t o v e r lo o k th e v a r io u s J o k e r s a r t i c l e s no w
b e in g m a n u f a c t u r e d . T h e P a l p i t a t o r is one
o f th e l a t e s t a s m a l l in v i s ib le dev ice w h ic h c
a u s e s t h e d ish e s on a t a b l e to m y s t e r i o u s l y
bob u p a n d dow n. I m i t a t i o n J a m J a r s a n d im i t a
t i o n B oxe s o f N u ts , C and ies , etc., c o n t a i n i n g
a n im m e n se co n c e a le d s n a k e c a u s e m u c h a m u s
e m e n t . T r i c k P en c i l s , L o ad ed C ig a r s a n d C
ig a r e t t e s , Sneeze P o w d e r , S t in k
Bom bs , I t c h i n g P o w d e r , E x p lo s iv e M a tch es
, etc., a r e e s p e c i a l l y r e c o m m e n d e d . I f y o u
r t a l e n t r u n s to e n t e r t a i n i n g a t a Socia l P a
r t y w i th M a g ic T r i c k s a n d r e a l P r a c t i c a l
Jo k e s , se n d y o u r a d d r e s s to p u b l i s h e r o f t
h i s bo o k f o r l a rg e , i l l u s t r a t e d t r e a t i s e
on t h i s su b je c t .
TH E E N C H A N T E D ROOSTERB r i n g a cock in to a room , w
i t h b o th y o u r h a n d s c lose to i t s w in g s , a n d
h o ld t h e m t i g h t ; p u t h im on a tab le , a n d p o in
t h is b e a k d o w n a s s t r a i g h t a s p o ss ib le ; t h e
n le t a n y one d r a w a l ine w i th a p iece o f c h a l k d i
r e c t l y f ro m i t s b e a k , a n d a l l t h e no ise y o u c
a n p o ss ib ly m a k e w i l l n o t d i s t u r b h im fo r som
e t im e , f ro m th e s e e m in g l e t h a r g y w h ic h t h a
t p o s i t io n y o u h a v e I a in h im in h a s effected.
Y A N K H O ES DICE D IV IN A T IO NT h is is d o n e b y s im p
le a r i t h m e t i c a l p rocess .A s k so m e o n e to t h r o
w t h e d ice w i t h o u t y o u r s e e in g th e m , t h e n t e
l l h im
to choose one o f t h e n u m b e r s a n d m u l t i p ly i t b
y tw o , a d d five a n d m u l t i p ly t h i s n u m b e r b y
five a n d a d d t h e n u m b e r on t h e r e m a i n i n g
dice.
On h i s t e l l i n g you th e r e s u l t y o u s u b t r a c
t m e n t a l l y tw e n ty - f iv e f r o m th e n u m b e r h e h
a s o b ta in e d , a n d t h e r e m a i n d e r w i l l be tw o f
ig u re s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e tw o n u m b e r s on t h e
dice.
Suppose t h e n u m b e r s t h r o w n to be six, th re e . Six
m u l t i p l i e d b y tw o w o u ld be t w e lv e w i t h five a
d d e d m a k e s e v e n te e n , m u l t ip l i e d b y five is e
i g h t y - five, w i t h t h r e e a d d e d m a k e e i g h t y -
e i g h t ; f ro m t h i s t a k e tw e n ty - f iv e a n d i t g
iv e s a s a r e s u l t s i x t y - t h r e e six, t h r e e b e i
n g th e n u m b e r s t h r o w n . T h is can be w o r k e d w i
t h t h e s a m e r e s u l t i f t h e p e r s o n t h r o w i n g
th e d ice m u l t i p l i e s th e t h r e e i n s t e a d o f t h
e s ix , t h e r e s u l t in t h a t c a s e b e in g t h i r t y
- s i x i n s te a d of s ix ty - th r e e .
6
-
SOLID THROUGH SOLIDT o p e r f o r m t h i s f e a t y o u m u s
t h a v e a d im e, o r c o u n te r , s e w n in t h e
c o r n e r o f a h a n d k e r c h i e f . T a k e i t o u t o
f y o u r p o c k e t a n d r e q u e s t on e o f t h e c o m p a
n y to le n d y o u a d im e, w h ic h y o u m u s t a p p e a r to
w r a p c a r e f u l ly u p in t h e m id d le o f t h e h a n d k
e r c h i e f ; i n s t e a d o f d o ing - th is , h o w e v e r ,
y o u k e e p i t in t h e p a lm o f y o u r h a n d , a n d in i
t s p la c e w r a p u p th e c o r n e r in w h ic h th e o t h e
r d im e o r c o u n t e r is s e w n in t h e m i d s t o f t h e
h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d b id t h e p e r s o n f ro m w h o m
y o u b o r r o w e d th e d im e fee l t h a t i t is th e r e . T
h e n l a y i t u n d e r a h a t u p o n th e t a b le , t a k e a
g l a s s in t h e h a n d in w h ic h y o u h a v e c o n c e a le
d th e d im e, a n d ho ld i t u n d e r t h e ta b le s , t h e n
g iv e t h r e e k n o c k s u p o n th e tab le , a t t h e s a m
e t im e c r y in g , P re s to ! c o m e q u i c k l y ! d ro p th
e d im e in to t h e g la s s , b r i n g t h e g l a s s f ro m u
n d e r t h e t a b l e a n d e x h ib i t th e d im e. L a s t l y
t a k e th e h a n d k e r c h i e f f r o m u n d e r t h e h a t
a n d s h a k e it, t a k i n g c a r e to ho ld i t by th e c o r
n e r in w h ic h th e c o u n t e r o r d im e is se w n . T h is
is a v e ry go o d t r i c k if w e l l m a n a g e d , a n d t h e
d im e m a y be m a r k e d p re v io u s ly .
T H E B A L L A N D COIN M Y STER YG e t a t i n m a n to m a k
e a f la t t i n tu b e , w h ic h w i l l j u s t a l l o w a d im
e to
p a s s t h r o u g h it. W in d a q u a n t i t y o f w o r s t
e d a r o u n d it , so a s to m a k e i t i n to a ball . T h e s
e p r e l i m i n a r i e s h a v i n g b e e n a c c o m p l i s h
e d , p e r f o r m a n y t r i c k t h a t w i l l g e t a d im e
o u t o f s ig h t , su c h a s Solid T h r o u g h Solid . T h e n
te l l t h e s p e c t a t o r s t h a t y o u w i l l b r i n g t
h e m a r k e d d im e in to t h e m id d le o f ab a l l o f w o r
s t e d . T a k e d o w n th e b a l l f r o m th e p la c e w h e
r e i t is l a y in g , d ro pt h e d im e in to t h e tu b e , a n
d w i t h d r a w th e tu b e , l e a v in g th e d im e in t h e
ball . A good s q u e eze o r tw o w i l l ho ld i t t i g h t a n
d o b l i t e r a t e e v e r y m a r k o f t h e tu b e . P l a c
e t h e ba l l in a t u m b le r , t a k e th e e n d o f t h e w o
r s t e d a n d g iv e i t to s o m e o n e to u n w in d . T h i s
b e i n g d one , t h e d im e w i l l b e fo u n d in t h e v e r
y c e n t e r o f t h e ba l l , w i t h t h e e n d of t h e w o r
s t e d w r a p p e d t i g h t l y a r o u n d it.
SIL E N T SECO ND-SIG H T ACTI n t h i s a c t t h e m e d iu m
, a l t h o u g h b l in d fo ld e d , t e l l s
n u m b e r s o f c a r d s , etc. , w i t h o u t a w o r d b e
i n g s p o k en. T h is is e a s i l y d o n e a s a s m a l l m i
r r o r is s e t in t h e g lo v e o r fo ld s o f t h e h a n d k
e r c h i e f t h a t t h e y o u n g l a d y is c a r r y in g . L
a d y is s e a t e d in c h a i r on th e r i g h t o f s t a g e a
n d b l a c k b o a r d is p l a c e d on l e f t o f s t a g e a l
i t t l e b a c k o f lady. B l in d fo ld l a d y so t h a tsh e c
a n se e d o w n u n d e r h a n d k e r c h i e f , a n d h o ld
in gm i r r o r in s u c h p o s i t io n , sh e c a n see w h a t
is on b l a c k b o a rd . S h e c a n d e s c r ib e a r t i c l e
s p r e v io u s ly co l lec ted , a d d u p s u m s p l a c e d on
th e b l a c k b o a r d , t e l l t h e s u i t s a n d v a l u e
s o f c a r d s , c a l l o u t a n y n a m e o r s e n t e n c e w
r i t t e n on b oard . M a n y o t h e r t e s t s w i l l s u g g
e s t t h e m s e lv e s a s y o u a r e r e h e a r s i n g t h i
s a c t . T h i s w i l l c r e a t e a s e n s a t i o n i f p r e
s e n t e d a s a p u r e s e c o n d - s i g h t d e m o n s t r a
t i o n .
TH E MAGIC B E A N S OF W A N G F UT h re e w h i t e b e a n s
a r e p la c e d in m o u th , c h e w e d u p a n d s w a l l o w
e d t h e y
a r e t h e n p ro d u c e d whol.e. T h i s is t h e b e s t t
r i c k yet . O nly t h r e e b e a n s a r e used , w h ic h a r e
p l a c e d in t h e m o u th . W i t h t h e t o n g u e on e is p
l a c e d b e h in d t h e t e e t h on l o w e r ja w . T h e c h
e e k w i l l h o ld i t t h e r e u n t i l y o u n e e d it. T h
e o t h e r tw o b e a n s a r e r e a l l y e a t e n a n d m o u
t h is s h o w n e m p ty . M a k e a m o t io n a s i f c o u g h
i n g u p a bean , a n d a t s a m e t im e th e t o n g u e p u s
h e s h id d e n b e a n b e t w e e n th e f r o n t t e e th . T
h e l ip s a r e p a r t e d a n d b e a n is s h o w n . T h e r i
g h t h a n d n o w p r e t e n d s to t a k e t h e b e a n f ro m
t h e m o u t h a n d p lace i t in t h e l e f t h a n d w h ic h
is c losed. W h a t is r e a l l y d o n e is ; T h u m b a n d f i
rs t f in g e r c a t c h e s b e a n a n d d r o p s it b a c k in
to t h e m o u th , t h e n p r e t e n d s to p la c e i t in le f
t h an d , w h ic h no on e w i l l d e te c t . T h is i s d o n e
t h r e e t im e s , e a c h t im e s h o w in g b e a n b e t w e
e n th e t e e t h a n d p r e t e n d i n g to p u t i t in l e f
t h a n d , b u t d r o p p i n g i t b a c k in t h e m o n th . W
h e n t h e t h r e e b e a n s a r e p ro d u c e d s o m e o n e
b lo w s o n t h e c lo s ed l e f t h a n d a n d th e b e a n s h
a v e v a n i s h e d . T h e b e a n s n o w h e ld in t h e m o u
t h m a y be t a k e n o u t o r s w a l lo w e d .
-
THE GAM BLER S DREAMA f t e r a n o r d i n a r y d e c k o f c
a r d s is shuff led ,
p la c e d in t h e p e r f o r m e r s p o c k e t ; t h e p e
r f o r m e r i n s t a n t l y t a k e s o u t o f h i s p o c k e
t a n y c a r d ca l le d for. T H E S E C R E T : F o r t h i s t
r i c k y o u r e q u i r e tw o p a c k s o f c a r d s w i t h b
a c k s to m a tc h . H a v e f o u r p o c k e t s m a d e on in s
id e of y o u r coa t , c lose t o g e th e r . I n t h e f i rs t
p o c k e t y o u p lace a l l t h e D ia m o n d s , f r o m A ce
t o K in g , in se cond p o c k e t a l l th e H e a r t s , in t h
i r d p o c k e t a l l t h e S p a d e s a n d th e C lu b s in t
h e r e m a i n i n g p o c k e t . A f t e r h a v i n g d u p l i
c a t e d e c k shuff led , p la c e s a m e in y o u r r e g u l a
r ' in s id e c o a t p o c k e t , a n d d r a w t h e c a r d s a
s t h e y a r e ca l le d f o r f ro m th e p r e p a r e d f o u r
p o c k e t s . W i t h a l i t t l e p r a c t ice y o u w il l be
a b le to p ic k o u t a n y ca rd , p o k e r h a n d , etc. , c a
l l e d for.
HINDOO IN K TO W A TER TRICKT a k e a p iece o f b l a c k s i l
k a n d c u t i t to fit t h e in s id e o f a s m a l l w a t e
r
g l a s s ; fill g l a s s w i th w a t e r to to p o f b la c k
l i n in g a n d i t w i l l lo o k l ik e g e n u ine ink . T a k
e a w h i t e c a r d a n d co lo r on e - h a l f of one s ide of
i t b la c k . You a r e n o w r e a d y fo r t h e t r ic k . T e
l l t h e a u d ie n c e y o u w i l l c h a n g e th e in k to w a
t e r a n d t h e n d r i n k t h e w a t e r to p ro v e no c h e
m ic a l s w e r e used . To p ro v e i t is r e a l ly ink , d ip
t h e w h i t e c a r d in to t h e g l a s s k e e p th e b l a c
k s ide a w a y f ro m th em , d ip in to t h e g l a s s a n d in
r e m o v in g it, t u r n t h e h a l f b l a c k s ide to t h e f
r o n t ; t h e y w i l l n o w b e l iev e t h e t u m b l e r c o
n t a i n s r e a l ink .N o w t a k e a h a n d k e r c h i e f a
n d c o v e r t h e g l a s s w i t h it, a n d a f t e r m a k i n
g a f ew h y p n o t i c p a s se s , c a t c h ho ld o f h a n d k
e r c h i e f a n d pu l l i t off; a n d a t t h e s a m e t im e
, u n d e r c o v e r o f h a n d k e r c h i e f , p u l l b l a c
k l i n in g o u t of t h e g las s . D isp o s e o f t h e h a n d
k e r c h i e f a n d d r i n k t h e w a te r . B y p l a c in g a
f e w s m a l l go ld f ish in t h e in k , t h e a u d ie n c e w
i l l be s u r p r i s e d to see t h e go ld f ish in t h e wate-r
a f t e r
PL A Y IN G W ITH FIR ET h e p e r f o r m e r t a k e s a n o r
d i n a r y b lu e o r w h i t e h e a d
m a t c h a n d l i g h t s it. A f t e r i t h a s b u r n e d
a b o u t a q u a r t e r o f i t s l e n g th , h o ld in g i t in
h i s le f t h an d , he r u n s t h e b u r n in g m a tc h s lo w
ly a c r o s s th e f in g e rs a n d p a lm o f h is r i g h t h a
n d , w i th th e p a lm d ow n . T h is h e r e p e a t s w i t h
o u t b u r n in g h im se l f . T H E S E C R E T : You p o ss ib
ly c a n t b u r n y o u r s e l f if y o u p r e s s t h e m a t c
h u p c lose a g a i n s t t h e flesh. T h e p r e s s u r e o f
th e m a t c h u p a g a i n s t th e h a n d k e e p s t h a t p o
r t io n o f i t a g a i n s t th e flesh f ro m b u r n in g . T
ry th i s ; no h a r m w i l l com e f ro m i t i f y o u p r e s s
t h e m a t c h c lose a g a i n s t t h e flesh.
A N IM A L M AGNETISMA s a d isplay o f your ex trao rd in a ry
pow er, you can rem ove y o u r canary
from its cage, and m esm erize it in fu ll view of you r
audience. To do th is, i t is only necessary to lay th e b ird upon
th e tab le and w ave a sm all fe a th e r over its eyes, when i t
w ill ap p a ren tly go off into a deep sleep. By rem oving th e fe
a th e r i t w ill revive and come to life again .
8
t h e c h a n g e .
-
T H E M ESM ERIZED W A LK IN G STICKS u rp r i s e y o u r f r i
e n d s w i t h t h i s m y s t e r y :A t t a c h a b i t o f fine
b la c k s i lk to a w alk ing- s t i c k j u s t a l i t t l e a b
o v e
t h e c e n t r e , in su c h m a n n e r t h a t t h e tw o e n
d s o f s t r ing : m a y be a t t a c h e d to t h e leg o f y o u
r t r o u s e r s a t t h e in s id e h e m a b o u t k n e e h ig
h . T h is c o n n e c t io n m u s t be s e c r e t l y m ade . T
h e w a l k i n g s t i c k is s to o d on en d a n d m e s m e r i
c p a s s e s m a d e o v e r it by t h e r i g h t h a n d w h i l
e h e ld in p la c e b y t h e le f t . A f t e r a l i t t l e m a
n u i p u l a t i o n a n d a p p a r e n t d i f f icu l ty t h e
s t i c k is in d u c e d to st&nd e r e c t w i t h o u t v is
ib e s u p p o r t b y m e r e l y s p r e a d i n g t h e k n e e
s a p a r t w h e n m a k i n g t h e f ina l p a s s e s o v e r
it.
C H A LLEN G E P A P E R BAG E SC A PET h e p e r f o r m e r e
s c a p e s f ro m a l a r g e p a p e r b a g , w h i c h
h a s p r e v io u s ly been e x a m in e d . T H E S E C R E T
: T h e b a g is t ie d a f ew in c h e s f ro m top, a n d b a g a
n d p e r f o r m e r a r e p l a c e d b e h in d a sc ree n . T o
escape , t h e p e r f o r m e r w i t h a s m a l l p a i r o f s
h e a r s , c u t t h e to p off t h e b a g , s t e p s o u t a n
d r e t i e s b a g , c o n c e a l in g c u t -o f f p o r t io n
. T h e s h o r t n e s s of b a g w i l l n o t be no t iced .
M YSTERIO US TA LK IN G VIO LINS e c u re a P E R F E C T T O N
E D v io l in a n d d r iv e a c o m m o n s e w i n g n e e d
le
in to t h e b r id g e b e t w e e n th e tw o m id d le s t r i
n g s . T h is w i l l a c t a s a n e e d le to a p h o n o g r a
p h r e p r o d u c e r does. N e x t s e c u re a s m a l l p h o
n o g r a p h a n d so m e reco rds . T u r n th e v io l in u p s
id e d o w n so n e e d le is p o in t i n g d o w n w a r d , c o
m in g in c o n t a c t w i t h r e v o lv in g reco rd , an d , v
io l in w i l l s in g , t a l k , c ry , e tc ., j u s t a s on
reco rd . T h e v io l in sh o u ld be s u s p e n d e d f ro m a b
o v e w i th s t r i n g s so i t w i l l s w im f r e e ly a n d
fo l lo w th e g r o o v e s o f t h e r eco rd . You c a n m a k e
th e v io l in t a l k o n s t a g e w i t h o u t a n y o n e k n
o w i n g h o w i t s done, b y a t t a c h in g a fine w i r e to
n e e d le in b r id g e a n d th e o t h e r en d to a n o t h e r
need le t h a t c o m e s in c o n t a c t w i t h t h e r eco rd .
T h e r e c o r d a n d m a c h in e b e in g h i d d e n on so m e
o t h e r p a r t o f s t a g e . You s h o u ld e x p e r i m e n
t w i t h th i s ; t h e r e a r e som e g r e a t p o ss ib i l i
t ie s . A n y v io l in , p h o n o g r a p h a n d r e c o r d s
w i l l do. G ive t h i s a t r ia l .
IN STR U C TIO N S FOR SPIR IT M ED IU M SH IPC o n s t r u c t
a c a b i n e t in t h e c o r n e r o f y o u r r o o m b y h a n
g i n g a c r o s s i t
a p a i r o f h e a v y c u r t a i n s , f a s t e n i n g th e
m to t h e w a l l s o f t h e ro o m w h e r et h e y to u c h a t
t h e s ides, b u t l e a v i n g t h e m o p e n in t h e m id d
le o f t h e f ro n t . P u t in to t h e c a b i n e t a b a n jo
o r g u i t a r , t e a - b e l l , t a m b o u r in e , p a i r o
f s l a t e s a n d t i n t r u m p e t . H a v e f o u r o r s ix
p e r s o n s to s i t w i t h you , e q u a l l y d iv id e d b e
tw e e n t h e sexes . T h e y a r e to s i t in a s e m i c i rc
le a b o u t t h e f r o n t o f t h e c a b in e t , t h e s e x e
s a l t e r n a t i n g , c l a s p i n g e a c h o t h e r s ' h a
n d s . You a r e t o s i t in s id e t h e c a b i n e t a lo n e
a n d r e m a i n o n e h o u r in a s p a s s iv e a c o n d i t
io n a s i t is p o s s ib le f o r y o u to a t t a i n . T h e s
i t t e r s s i n g a b o u tf o u r s o n g s d u r i n g t h e h
o u r y o u a r e s i t t i n g .Y ou sh o u ld s i t tw ic e p e r
w e e k , a l w a y s t h es a m e e v e n in g a n d h o u r , T u
e s d a y a n d S a t u r d a y
e v e n in g s , 8 u n t i l 9 o clock. T h e s e i n s t r u c
t i o n s a r e a l l t h a t w i l l b e n e c e s s a ry u n t i
l y o u a r e a b le to g e t f u r t h e r a d v ic e t h r o u g
h y o u r o w n " m e d iu m s h ip . T h e r e is no s u c h t h i
n g a s f a i l u r e i f y o u fo l lo w o u t t h e s e i n s t r
u c t i o n s , a n dy o u w i l l b e g in to r e c e iv e s p i r
i t u a l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w i t h i n t h r e e m o n
th s .
9
-
TH E W H ISTLING SPIR ITSA to y w h i s t l e w i t h a s ix -
in c h s t r i n g a t t a c h e d to it, w h i s t l e s in a m o
s t
m y s t e r i o u s m a n n e r a f t e r b e ing1 t ie d to e n
d o f p e r f o r m e r s w a n d . T H E S E C R E T IS S IM PLE .
T w o w h i s t l e s a r e u se d h a v in g - th e s a m e tone .
A r u b b e r w a t e r b a g is s e c u re d a n d a s p i r a l s
p r i n g o f s t i f f w i r e is p la c e d in s id e o f sa m e
so a s to k e e p b a g e x t e n d e d a b o u t tw o inches . To
th e b a g a good sized r u b b e r tu b e is a t t a c h e d a n d
to one end, one o f t h e w h is t l e s . T h e w h i s t l e is t
ie d to f o r e a r m n e a r t h e w r i s t , a n d b a g h u n g
u n d e r a r m f ro m s h o u ld e r , so a s to be p r e s s e d
r e a d i ly b y t h e a rm . A f t e r t h e o t h e r w h i s t l
e is e x a m in e d a n d h u n g on en d o f w a n d ; p r e s s i
n g th e c o n c e a le d b a g c a u s e s t h e h id d e n w h i
s t l e to s o u n d a s h a r p no te , a p p e a r i n g to com e
f ro m th e one on t h e w a n d . T h e i l lus ion , is p e r fec
t , a n d s o u rc e o f s o u n d c a n n o t be d e te c te d . E
i t h e r h a n d ? i a y ho ld t h e w an d .
TH E E D U C A T E D D IE M YSTERYSix d ifferent p lay ing cards
a re shown and a re placed face dow nw ard
on a table. A die is rolled or a num ber up to six is called,
and in eachinstance th e chosen card is proved to be the Aceof
Clubs. The sec re t lies in th e cards them selves. The six cards
consist o f one genuine Ace of C lute,and th e rem ain ing five
cards have an Ace of Clubson one corner and an o th e r card on th
e oppositecom er. Now, if th e six cards a re fanned out, showing
all th e u pper indexes, you c rea te a p erfec t il-
lusion of holding six d ifferen t cards, These a re now shuffled
(keeping tra c k of th e genuine Ace) and lay them face down. W hen
any card is chosen
in th e m aner described, pick up th e card, a t th e sam e tim
e cover thefak e index w ith your thum b, and i t h as the
appearance of being th e Ace. I f th e rea l Ace by chance is
selected, pass i t ou t fo r exam ination . Thecards can be
reshuffled and repea ted as o ften as desired. These cardsm ay be
purchased from publisher of th is book.
M YSTRIOUS RING ON CANEThe pe rfo rm er borrow s a w edding rin
g and tie s i t in a handkerchief.
(The rin g is rea lly exchanged fo r one of th e p e rfo rm ers
and th e borrow ed one kept.) A sp ec ta to r is asked to hold i t
w hile pe rfo rm er ge ts th e cane. H e im m ediately re tu rn s
holding th e cane by the m iddle ( th e borrow ed rin g is on th e
cane concealed by th e hand) a sk ing a couple o f th e audience to
hold the respective ends of th e cane. The handkerch ief con ta in
ing the rin g is th row n over th e m iddle o f cane, and under
cover o f a la rg e r h an d k erch ief th e rin g is rem oved and
slipped on th e p e rfo rm ers finger, th e handkerch iefs both
shaken ou t and borrow ed rin g show n on cane. E very th in g m ay
now be exam ined.
TH E LIV IN G GAS JE TT a k e a n o r d i n a r y g a s b r a c
k e t a b o u t t w e lv e i n c h e s long-. S e c r e t ly p la c
e
a s m a l l s p o n g e in y o u r m o u th w h ic h h a s b e e
n s a t u r a t e d w i t h n a p h t h a . B y p l a c i n g t h e
en d o f t h e g a s j e t in y o u r m o u t h a n d b lo w in g ,
t h e g a s w i l l p a s s t h r o u g h t h e s a m e a n d m a y
be l ig h te d .
MAGICAL FLO ATING G LASSP la c e a g l a s s o f w a t e r on a
t a b l e a n d a p p l y t h e p a lm o f t h e h a n d s q u a r
e l y
o v e r t h e top, t a k i n g c a r e to b e n d th e f in g e
rs d o w n w a r d , a t a r i g h t a n g le , t h e n su d d e n
ly s t r e t c h o u t y o u r f in g e rs so a s to g iv e t h e p
a lm i t s u t m o s t t e n sion , y o u w i l l h a v e p ro d u
c e d a p r a c t i c a l v a c u u m b e n e a t h y o u r h a n d
suff ic ien t to p e r m i t t h e p r e s s u r e o f t h e a i r
to o v e rc o m e t h e fo rc e o f g r a v i t y , a n d th e g l
a s s o f w a t e r w i l l a d h e r e to y o u r h an d .
10
-
SC IEN C E OF C RYSTAL GAZINGTo b eg in , p r o c u r e a c r y
s t a l o f a t l e a s t tw o in c h e s
in d i a m e te r , p lace t h i s on t o p o f a s m a l l w i
n e g l a s s a n d a g a i n s t a b a c k g r o u n d o f b l a c
k fe l t . P l a c e y o u r s e l f in f r o n t o f t h e C r y s
t a l , s e a t e d in a c o m f o r t a b l e c h a i r , a n d e
y e s s h a d e d f ro m l i g h t -look i n t e n t l y a t t h e
C r y s t a l w i t h o u t u n d u e s t r a i n o r c o n c e n t
r a t i o n ; h a v e t h e m in d f a i r l y b la n k . S i t a n
y l e n g t h o f t im e , a l w a y s t h e s a m e e v e n in g a
n d h o u r , e a c h day . C r y s t a lv i s io n s a r e m e r e
l y M E N T A L p i c t u r e s o r H A L L U C IN A TIONS. A f t e
r y o u r p o w e r is dev e lo p ed , a n y q u e s t io n s y o u
m a y h a v e in m in d s h o u ld be im m e d i a t e l ya n s w e
r e d in f o rm o f a m e n t a l p i c t u r e o f t h e p e r s o
n o r e v e n t in q u e s t io n . F o l lo w th e i n s t r u c t
i o n s w h ic h a c c o m p a n y e a c h C r y s t a l sold, a n
d y o u w i l l s o o n d e v e lop t h i s p o w e r in a n a m a
z i n g s h o r t t im e .
FAM O US ST R A N G L E ROPE TIER o p e t i e s a r e a l w a y
s a p p r e c i a t e d . I n t h i s t i e t h e c e n t e r o f a
ro p e is p l a c e d
u n d e r t h e r i g h t l e g a l i t t l e a b o v e th e k n
ee , a k n o t is t ie d o v e r t h e le g a n d th e r i g h t w
r i s t is t ie d d ow n . T h e l e f t w r i s t is t i e d o v e
r t h e r i g h t , t h e n th e h e a d is b e n t o v e r a n d
th e n e c k is t ie d o v e r t h e l e f t w r i s t . S E C R E
T O F E S C A P E : O n ly on e k n o t is t ied o v e r t h e r i
g h t l e g a t t h e k n e e ; on a l l o t h e r s y o u c a n t
ie a s m a n y k n o t s a s des i red . Sit on th e e n d o f a c
h a i r a n d e x p a n d th e l e g s a sm u c h a s p o ss ib le
w h i le b e in g tied . W h e n y o u s t r a i g h t e n o u t y
o u r l e g y o u w i l lfind suff ic ien t s l a c k b e t w e e n
ro p e a n d l e g to w o r k th e s in g l e k n o t d ow n , a n
d one h a n d is f ree . T h e n u n t i e a l l o t h e r k n o t
s . W h i l e b e i n g t ie d s i t on e d g e o f c h a i r w i t
h b o th f e e t on r u n g s ; t h i s w i l l e x t e n d th e m
u s c le s su f f ic ien t ly to p u s h th e s in g le k n o t d o
w n o v e r t h e k n e e . A l a r g e s h e e t s h o u ld be t h
r o w n o v e r y o u w h i l e m a k i n g t h e escape .
V A U L T A N D S A F E ESC A PEI t is b u t l i t t l e k n o w
n ( e v e n to t h e o w n e r s ) t h a t on a l l v a u l t d o o
r s o r
l a r g e sa fe s , t h a t o n t h e in s id e is a s t e e l p
l a t e t h a t c a n b e r e m o v e d b y s im p ly t a k i n g o
u t t h e s c r e w s t h a t ho ld t h e p la te . T h is is k n o
w n , h o w e v e r , o n ly t o peo p le t h a t m a k e a s p e c
i a l t y o f r e p a i r i n g sa fes .
E n t e r a n y office, b a n k o r n e w s p a p e r office t h
a t h a s a v a u l t o r l a r g e sa fe , g e t in s id e a n d h
a v e i t locked , A N D H A V E T H E C O M M IT T E E L E A V E T
H E ROOM, a n d to b e s u r e t h e r e a r e no " p r o w l e r s
a r o u n d ; h a v e t h e f r o n t o f t h e s a f e c o v e r e
d w i t h a l a r g e sh e e t . Once y o u a r e in s id e t a k e
o u t y o u r e l e c t r i c l a m p a n d a s c r e w d r i v e r
a n d u n s c r e w t h e p la te , t a k e i t off a n d t u r n t
h e c o m b i n a t i o n u n t i l t h e t u m b l e r s d ro p in
to p lace , d r a w b a c k th e b o l t s a n d o pen th e door ,
s c r e w th e p l a t e b a c k on a g a in , s h u t t h e d o o
r a n d t u r n t h e c o m b i n a t i o n a g a i n f r o m t h e
o u t s id e a n d a l l c a n b e e x a m in e d .
W IN N IN G W ITH DICET h e d ice a r e c o n t r o l le d b y r
u b b i n g o n e
s id e o f t h e d ice w i t h p u r e b e e s w a x . Sup p o
se y o u d e s i re t h e d ice to com e Ace, t h e o p p o s i te
, o r 6 s ide sh o u ld be c a r e f u l ly t r e a t e d w i t h w
ax , a t h i n c o a t o f i t a d h e r e s to t h e fa c e m a k
i n g i t g r i p t h e t a b l e w h e n ro l led . B u t r u b b
i n g o n e d ice on Six a n d th e o t h e r on Ace a g o o d s e
t o f p e r c e n t a g e d ice a r e m a d e s t r o n g f o r
seven. M a n y g a m b l e r s lo a d t h e i r d ice b y d r i l l
i n g t h e s p o t s one s ide on Six a n d t h e o t h e r o n
Ace, a n d f i l l ing th e s e s m a l l h o le s w i t h lead , t
h e n c o v e r in g th e m w i t h l a m p b la c k . A s e t o f
th e s e lo a d e d dice will c o m e u p w i n n e r * e v e r y
th r o w .
11
-
A N E X PE R IM E N T IN HYPNOTISMI s e le c t a y o u n g m a n
r e q u e s t in g h im to s e a t h im s e l f o n a c h a i r , a
n d
g iv e h im a b u t t o n to hold , t e l l i n g h im to look a
t i t f ixedly. A f t e r f o u r o rfive m i n u t e s h i s e y e
l id s fa l l ; h e t r i e s in v a i n to o pen h i s eyes , w h
ic h a r e f a s t c lo sed ; h i s h a n d , w h ic h u n t i l n
o w h a s g r a s p e d th e b u t to n , d r o p s u p o n h i s
knee .I a s s u r e h im i t is im p o ss ib le f o r h im to o pen
h i s eyes .( H e m a k e s v a in e f fo r ts to o pen th e m . )
I n o w sa yto h im . Y o u r h a n d s a r e s t u c k f a s t to
y o u r k n e e s ; y o u c a n n o t p o ss ib ly r a i s e t h e
m . A f t e r w h ic h I b lo w u p o n h i s eyes , w h ic h o pen
a t onc^ , a n d h e is in t h es a m e s t a t e a s b e f o re t
h e e x p e r i m e n t
A f t e r t h e s u b je c t is u n d e r y o u r c o m m a n d
a s above , h e w i l l do a n y t h i n g y o u s u g g e s t b a
r k l ik e a d o g ; p l a y a n i m a g i n a r y p iano , e tc
.
TH E V A N ISH IN G M AN ILLUSIO NT h e o n ly r e q u i r e m e
n t s a r e a l a r g e s c r e e n a n d a shee t . T h e s c r e
e n sh o u ld
h a v e a p a n e l in t h e c e n te r , w h ic h m o v e s up
a n d d o w n so a s to a l l o w a p e r s o n to c r a w l t h r
o u g h . T h is s c r e e n sh o u ld be s i t u a t e d n e a r a
n o p e n d o o r or a w in d o w , o r som e a r t i c l e in w h
ic h a p e r s o n c a n hide.
T h e m a n to v a n i s h s t a n d s a b o u t 10 o r 12 f e e
t in f r o n t o f t h e s c re e n a n dth e s h e e t is h e ld
in f r o n t o f h im by th e p e r fo r m e r , w h o s t a n d s
b e h in d th em an , so t h a t t h e s h e e t to u c h e s t h e
f loor a n d a lso th e m a n s h ead , m a k i n g a s o r t o f a
b u lg e . T h e m a n s lo w ly s i n k s d o w n to h i s k n e e
s a n d w i t h d r a w s h i s h e a d a n d th e p e r f o r m e
r r a i s e s h i s k n e e so t h a t i t w i l l t a k e t h e p
lace o f t h e m a n ' s h e a d a g a i n s t t h e sh e e t . M e
a n w h i le t h e m a n c r a w l s b e t w e e n th e p e r f o r
m e r s k n e e s a n d o u t t h r o u g h th e s c r e e n a n d
d o o r a n d m a k e s h i s w a y a r o u n d to t h e f r o n t
o f t h e house . T h e p e r f o r m e r l e t s t h e s h e e t d
ro p s u d d e n ly a n d t h e m a n f ires a p i s to l a n d w a
l k s d o w n to t h e s t a g e .
TH E M Y STER Y G LASSP u t a n i n v i s ib le h a i r n e t o
n y o u r r i g h t h a n d ,
i n s e r t y o u r h a n d in to a g l a s s to p ro v e i t is
e m p ty , l e a v e t h e n e t in t h e g l a s s u p o n w i t h
d r a w i n g y o u r han d , a l l o w so m e to h a n g o v e r t
h e top. P l a c e a n o b je c t in to g l a s s ( in n e t ) t h
e n c o v e r a l l w i t h h a n d k e r c h i e f . L i f t t h e
h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d n e t t o g e t h e r , d ro p on s h
e l f b a c k o f ta b le . S h o w h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d g
l a s s f o r in sp e c t io n .
TH E D E A D OR A L IV E M YSTERYT h e p e r f o r m e r h a n d
s a p la in s h e e t o f n o te p a p e r a n d a r u l e r t o a
s p e c
t a t o r , a s k i n g h im t o t e a r t h e p a p e r in to
five e q u a l s t r ip s . T h e s p e c t a t o r ist h e n r e q
u e s t e d to w r i t e t h e n a m e s o f d e a d p e r s o n s
on tw o s l ips , a n d on e a c h o f t h e r e m a i n i n g s l
ips , t h e n a m e s o f l i v in g p e r so n s .
T h e s l ip s a r e f o ld ed a n d p l a c e d in a h a t , a
n d w e l l s h a k e n .
Now, to t h e a m a z e m e n t o f t h e c o m p a n y , t h e
p e r f o r m e r a t h i s w i l l , s e le c t s a s l ip f ro m
th e h a t c o n t a i n i n g a d e a d p e r s o n s n a m e , o
r t h a t o f a l ive p e r so n , a s m a y b e c h o s e n b y th
e co m p a n y .
S E C R E T : T h e s l ip s c o n t a i n i n g t h e n a m e s
o f d e a d p e r s o n s a r e t h e t o p a n d b o t to m of t h
e n o te p a p e r , a n d a r e d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y th e
s m o o th m a c h i n e - c u t e d g e on o n e side . A f t e
r
t h e s t r i p s h a v e b e e n to rn , t h e p e r fo r m e r
, u n d e r t h e p r e t e n s e o f s h o w in g th e s t r i p s
to be u n p r e p a r e d , p la c e s t h e tw o s m o o th - e d
g e d s t r i p s o n to p o f t h e o th e r s , a n d g iv e s t
h e m to t h e s p e c t a t o r to w r i t e upon .
12
-
M YSTERIO US B A N K NO TE TESTA s k a n y on e to t a k e a d o
l l a r n o te a n d o b s e rv e w h e t h e r t h e n u m b e r
on
t h e f a c e o f t h e b i l l is odd o r even , a n d t h e n
la y i t fa c e u p on th e ta b le , c o v ering: e a c h o f t h
e n u m b e r s w h ic h a p p e a r on t h e r i g h t a n d l e f
t o f t h e bil l , w i th t h e r i g h t a n d l e f t th u m b s
. T h e p e r f o r m e r n o w t o u c h e s t h e p e r s o n s
fo re h e a d , a n d i n s t a n t l y te l l s w h e t h e r t h
e n u m b e r is odd o r even .
T H E S C E R E T : E v e r y d o l l a r b i l l is p l a in ly
m a r k e d in t h e u p p e r l e f t a n d l o w e r r i g h t h
a n d c o r n e r s , w i t h one o f t h e f o u r l e t t e r s ,
A -B -C -D . I f A o r C, t h e n u m b e r on th e n o te e n d s
w i t h a n odd f ig u re ; w h i le i f B o r D, i t is a n e v e
n f igure.
W h i le t h e t h u m b s a r e c o v e r in g t h e n u m b e
r s y o u c a n p l a in ly se e t h e l e t t e r , a n d w i l l
t h e r e f o r e k n o w w h e t h e r t h e n u m b e r is odd o
r even.
M AGNETIC LIGHTING OF C A N D L E ST h e p e r f o r m e r , s
im p ly b y to u c h i n g th e
c a n d le Iv i th h i s w a n d , i t b e c o m e s l ig h te d
. T H E S E C R E T : T h e w ic k o f t h e c a n d le is p r e v
io u s ly d a m p e n e d w i t h k e r o s e n e o i l a n d a p
iece o f P o t a s s i u m ( m e t a l p o t a s h ) a b o u t t h
e s ize o f a w h o le g r a i n o f p e p p e r is p la c e d on
to p o f sa m e . A s soon a s t h e w i c k is to u c h e d w i t
h t h e w a n d o r f in g e r w h ic h h a s h a s b e e n d ip p
e d in w a t e r th e c a n d le w i l l b laze .
T H E W ATCH D IA L OF M EPHISTOA v e r y e a s y m in d r e a d
i n g t r i c k w h ic h m yst i f ies . A s k y o u r v i c t
im
to t h i n k o f o n e o f t h e n u m b e r s o n a w a t c h d
ia l , a n d f o r e v e r y t i m e y o u t a p t h e c r y s t a
l w i t h a penci l , to a d d O N E to t h e c h o s e n n u m b e
r ; a t t h e t a p t h a t b r i n g s t h e a m o u n t in h i s
m in d to T W E N T Y , y o u r p e n c i l w i l l r e s t o v e r
t h e h o u r n u m b e r t h a t h e m e n t a l l y se lec ted .
T H E S E C R E T : F o r t h e f i rs t s e v e n t a p s s t r i
k e a t r a n d o m a n y o f t h e n u m b e r s o n th e d ia l ;
b u t a t t h e e i g h t h t a p s t r i k e "12, a t t h e n i n
t h 11, a t t h e t e n t h 10, a n d so o n ro u n d b a c k w a r
d , u n t i l t h e o t h e r p e r s o n a n n o u n c e s t h a t
h e h a s r e a c h e d t w e n t y in h i s c o u n t . I f he h a
s fo l lo w e d i n s t r u c t i o n s t h e p e n c i l w i l l t
h e n r e s t u p o n fh e c h o s e n n u m b e r . T h is is a p
o s i t iv e hit .
MAGIC D IV IN A T IO N OF N U M B E R SI t is r e q u i r e d to
n a m e th e q u o t i e n t o f five o r t h r e e l in e s o f f
ig u re s e a c h
l in e c o n s i s t i n g o f five o r m o r e f ig u re s o n
ly s e e in g t h e f i rs t l ine b e f o re t h e o t h e r l in
e s a r e e v e n p u t d ow n . A n y p e r s o n m a y w r i t e
d o w n th e f i r s t l ine o f f ig u re s f o r you. H o w do y
o u find th e q u o t i e n t ?
E X A M P L E : W h e n th e f i rs t l ine o f f ig u re s is s
e t d ow n , s u b t r a c t 2 f ro m t h e l a s t r i g h t h a n
d f igure , a n d p la c e i t b e fo re th e f i rs t f ig u re o
f t h e line, a n d t h a t is th e q u o t i e n t f o r f iv e l
ines. F o r e x a m p le , s u p p o s e t h e f ig u re s g iv e n
a r e 86,?14, t h e q u o t i e n t w i l l be 286,212. You m a y a
l l o w a n y p e r s o n to p u t d o w n t h e tw o f i rs t a n
d th e f o u r t h lines, b u t y o u m u s t a l w a y s s e t d o
w n th e t h i r d a n d f i f th l ines, a n d in d o in g so, a l
w a y s m a k e u p 9 w i t h t h e l in e ab o v e , a s in t h e
f o l lo w in g e x a m p le :
86,21442,68057,31962,85437,145
286,21267,85647,21852,781
Qt. 167,855
Q t.
T h e re f o r e , in t h e a n n e x e d d i a g r a m y o u w
i l l see t h a t y o u h a v e m a d e 9 in t h e t h i r d a n d
f ifth l in es w i t h t h e l in es a b o v e th em . I f t h e p
e r so n d e s i r i n g to p u t d o w n th e f ig u re s s h o u
ld s e t d o w n a 1 o r 0 f o r t h e l a s t f igure , y o u m u
s t s a y : W e w i l l h a v e a n o t h e r f ig u re , a n d a n
o t h e r , a n d so on, u n t i l h e s e t s d o w n s o m e th i
n g a b o v e I o r 2.
I n s o lv in g th e puzz le w i t h t h r e e l ines, y o u s u
b t r a c t 1 f ro m th e l a s t f igure, a n d p la c e i t b e f
o re t h e f i rs t f igure , a n d m a k e u p th e t h i r d l
ine y o u r s e l f to 9. F o r e x a m p le : 67,856 is g iv e n ,
a n d th e q u o t i e n t w i l l be 167,855, a s s h o w n in t h
e a n n e x e d d i a g r a m .
13
-
M YSTERIOUS V A N ISH IN G CARDSix c a r d s a r e p la c e d in
a r o w on th e floor. You a s k a n y one to m e n t io n
w h ic h c a r d t h e y w o u ld l ik e to v a n ish . A c a rd
h a v i n g b e e n a g r e e d upon , th e c o n j u r e r t u r n
s up h i s s leeve, and , s u r r o u n d e d by th e co m p a n y
, d e l i b e r a t e l y g a t h e r s u p th e s ix ca rd s , w h
ic h he h o ld s fo r a f ew m o m e n t s b e t w e e n h is h a n
d s : a n d u p o n d e a l in g th e m o u t u p o n th e f loor
once m ore , t h e in d ic a te d c a r d h a s m y s te r io u s
ly v a n is h e d . T h is t r i c k is a c c o m p l i s h e d b y
s e c r e t l y w e t t i n g t h e t h u m b of t h e r i g h t h
a n d , an d , in t h e a c t o f p i c k in g u p t h e c a rd s ,
t h e w e t t h u m b is r u n a lo n g th e e d g e o f th e s e
le c te d c a r d t h a t t h e n e x t c a rd w il l a d h e r e
to it, a n d in p l a c in g th e c a r d s once m o r e on th e
floor, a f t e r h a v in g g iv e n th e m a go o d s q u e eze b
e t w e e n th e p a lm s , t h e c a r d w i l l h a v e , to a l
l in t e n t s , d i s a p p e a re d .
STARTLING ARITH M ETICAL PROBLEMBy m u l t i p ly i n g
5,363,222,357 b y 2,071,723, t h e r e s u l t w i l l b e s e v e
n te e n
t im e s t h e r e p e t i t io n of t h e f ig u re ONE, a s fo
l lo w s : 11,111,111,111,111,111. T r y t h i s on y o u r f r ie
n d s .
M AGNETIC B A SIN OF W ATERT h r o w a co in o r r i n g in to a
b a s in o f w a t e r a n d t e l l y o u r s p e c t a t o r
s
t h a t y o u w i l l r e c o v e r th e o b je c t w i t h o u
t w e t t i n g y o u r h a n d in t h e leas t . In o r d e r to
do so y o u s p r i n k l e t h e s u r f a c e w i th P o w d e r
e d L y c o p o d iu m , w h ic h h a s no a t t r a c t i o n f o
r th e w a t e r , a n d w i l l n o t a d h e r e to it. Com e f o
r w a r d w i t h y o u r b a s in o f w a t e r , b o r ro w a co
in a n d t h r o w i t in to t h e b a s in o f w a te r , s h o w
t h a t y o u r h a n d is w i t h o u t p r e p a r a t i o n , p
l u n g e y o u r h a n d win bold ly , r e c o v e r t h e coin, a
n d s h o w t h a t y o u r h a n d is a s d ry a s i t e v e r w a
s in y o u r life . P o w d e r e d L y c o p o d iu m c a n be h a
d a t a n y d r u g s tore .
PRISO N CELL ESC A PEA f t e r s e l e c t i n g a cell s e n d
th e officials f o r t h e h a n d c u f f s and , w h i le th e
y
a r e a w a y , h ide y o u r p ic k s s o m e w h e re in t h e
cell . T h e y a r r i v e w i t h t h e m a n ac le s ; p e r f o
r m e r is s t r i p p e d a n d m a n a c l e d a n d ce ll d o o
r locked , a n d officials l eav e h im a lo n e T h e cuffs a r e
no w u n lo c k e d by m e a n s o f th e v a r i o u s p icks , a
n d th e ce l l lock is n e x t o p e n e d by p u t t i n g th e h
a n d t h r o u g h th e ho le in th e cell d o o r a n d p i c k i
n g th e lock. S pec ia l cell p ic k s a r e f u r n i s h e d by
t h e v a r i o u s m a g ic a l d e a le r s . W h e n cell d o o
r lo c k s by m e a n s o f a s p r i n g lo ck fill u p b o l t ho
ld w i t h a w e d g e o f h a r d wood. T h is p r e v e n t s t h
e do o r f ro m lo ck in g , a n d a f t e r e s c a p e is m a d e
f ro m th e v a r i o u s h a n d c u f f s , th e ce ll d o o r c
a n e a s i l y be p u s h e d open, a s t h e p lu g in f r a m e
w i l l p r e v e n t t h e lock f r o m e n t e r i n g t h e b o
l t
hole.
S A T A N S D IN N E RPlace some alcohol in your ladle and set
fire
to it; now take a banana which you have at hand and dip banana
in the blazing alcohol and ea t it while blazing. As soon as it is
placed in the mouth the fire immediately goes out.
TH E DEM ON B E L LA s m a l l be l l is e x a m in e d a n d fo
u n d to h a v e no c la p p e r . I t is t h e n
p r e s u m e d i t c a n m a k e no sound , s a v e b y v i s
ib le m e a n s . H o w e v e r , t h e p e r f o r m e r s e t s i
t u p o n a s m a l l e x a m in e d tab le , w h ic h s t a n d s
q u i t e c lose to aud ien ce , a n d a t co m m a n d , be l l b
e g in s to r in g . I t o b e y s e v e r y d e m a n d m a d e u
p o n it, y e t no m e a n s o f p r o d u c in g s o u n d c a n
be found .
S E C R E T : Use a s m a l l ca l l bell, s u c h a s u se d on
a tab le . A b la c k t h r e a d is c a r r i e d a c r o s s t h
e s t a g e , a n d e n d is p e r m a n e n t l y f a s t e n e d
a n d th e o t h e r is in t h e h a n d s o f a n a s s i s t a n
t , w h o s t a n d s in t h e fl ies o r w in g . I n t h e m idd
le o f t h r e a d is f a s t e n e d a s m a l l sh o t . A s s i
s t a n t u se s t h i s a s a c l a p p e r a n d w h e n e x a m
i n a t i o n is des i red , he d r o p s t h e t h r e a d a n d s
h o t on th e floor w h e r e i t w i l l n o t be v is ib le .
14
-
SE N SA T IO N A L M AIL BAG E SC A PEA n excellent m ail bag m
ay be m ade from canvas, any
requ ired size, w ith eyelets fa s ten ed around th e top, th ro
u g h w hich a sm all chain o r b a r is placed and secured a t th
e end w ith a padlock, p reviously sealed.
TO E S C A P E : A lock known as a sp ir it lock is used, th is
is easily opened by m eans of a pick w hich th ro w s back th e
bolt. In making- th e canvas bag , a sm all opening is le f t in
seam , and th rough th is opening th e p e rfo rm erpulls th e lock
and picks it, w hile secured inside of sack.T his is a m y s tify
ing escape and is accom plished behind a screen o r u nder cover of
a sh ee t of som e so rt.
O R IEN TA L M Y STER Y S A N D TRICKF i r s t p r e p a r e so
m e s a n d b y h e a t i n g - in a s h a l lo w p an , w h e n
goo d a n d
h o t d ro p a p iece o f pa ra f f in e w a x in to sa n d a n
d m ix well , t h i s w i l l c o a t e v e ry g r a i n o f s a n
d a n d m a k e i t w a t e r p ro o f , t h e n t a k e s a n d f
ro m s to v e a n d a l lo w to cool off. N o w fo r t h e t r ic k
, t a k e a b a s i n of w a t e r a n d a s k so m e o f t h e s p
e c t a t o r s to t h r o w a h a n d f u l o f y o u r sa n d in
to y o u r b a s in o f w a t e r , t h i s done, d ip d o w n a n
d b r i n g up th e s a n d o u t o f bas in , e x p la in in g , t
h a t t h e s a n d w i l l be p e r f e c t l y d ry , w h ic h i
t is.
M YSTIC ER U PTIO N OF FIREP r e p a r e a g l a s s b y f i l l
ing i t t w o - t h i r d s fu l l o f w a te r , t h e n p o u r
on w a t e r
o n e - h a l f t e a s p o o n f u l o f benz ine . To en d o f
w a n d o r f inger, b y m e a n s o f w ax ,a t t a c h a s m a l
l p iece o f m e ta l l i c p o ta s s iu m . B y i n s e r t i n g
w a n d o r f in g e r ing l a s s t h e b e n z in e b u r s t s
in to f lam e a n d b u r n s u n t i l e x h a u s t e d . U se e
x t r e m e c a u t i o n in h a n d l i n g t h e p o ta s s iu m
. U s e p iece h a l f t h e s ize o f a pea.
SPIR IT M ESSAG E IN L ETTER S OF BLOODP r e v i o u s to s h o
w in g t h i s t r i c k , a p p ly to y o u r a r m a s t r o n g
s o lu t io n o f
s a l t a n d w a t e r , s e v e ra l t im e s ; w h e n d ry ,
s c r a t c h t h e n a m e Ace o f S p a d e s on a r m w i t h p
o in t e d s t ic k . N ow fo rc e t h e Ace o f S p a d e s f ro m
y o u r deck , on so m e o n e in a u d ie n c e , h a v e t h e m
r e t u r n i t to t h e d e c k a n d sh u f f le it. A f t e r m
a k i n g a f e w m a g ic a l p a s s e s o v e r y o u r a rm , r
u b i t b r i s k ly , a n d th e n a m e of t h e c a r d w i l l
a p p e a r in r e d u n d e r t h e sk in .
FORCING A CARDT o f o rc e a p a r t i c u l a r c a r d on a s
p e c t a to r , f a n t h e d e c k b e f o re h im , r e
t a i n i n g t h e c a r d to be fo rc e d n e a r t h e c e n
t e r , a n d a s s p e c t a t o r is a b o u t tose le c t a c a
r d q u ic k ly p a s s t h e c a r d s on e a t a t im e f ro m l
e f t to , r i g h t h a n d , a n d d e l i b e r a t e l y sh o v
e th e d e s i re d c a r d in to h i s h a n d . A f t e r he r e
t u r n s i tto d e c k a n d sh u f f le s it, i t w i l l be a n
e a s y m a t t e rf o r y o u to n a m e h i s c a r d o r p ro d
u c e s a m e in a n ys p e c t a t c u l a r m a n n e r des i red
. I t r e q u i r e s m u c h p r a c t i c e to p r o p e r l y fo
rc e a n d p a lm c a rd s , a n d to t h o s e w h o a r e n o t s
k i l l e d in t h i s a r t , I r e c o m m e n d t h e v a r i o
u s t r i c k d e c k s n o w b e in g m a n u f a c t u r e d a n
d w h ic h m a y be o b t a in e d a t a n y r e l i a b l e m a g
i c a l house . T h e s e t r i c k d e c k s e n a b le y o u to
fo rc e a n y d e s i r e d c a r d to c u t a n y c a r d to r e a
d t h e mf ro m th e b ack , e tc. M a n y e x c lu s iv e t r i c
k s c a nbe a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h th e s e sp e c ia l d
e c k s ; e q u a l
to a n y p e r f o r m e d b y p r o fe s s io n a l m a g ic i
a n s . By s e n d i n g y o u r n a m e a n da d d r e s s to t h
e p u b l i s h e r s o f t h i s book, t h e y w i l l f o r w a r
d s a m e to th e m a n u f a c t u r e r o f t h e s e v a r i o u
s t r i c k ca rd s , d e c k s a n d dev ices , a n d t h e i r c
a t a l o g u e s w i l l b e m a i le d to y o u w i t h fu l l d
e s c r ip t io n s , w i t h o u t c h a r g e .
15
-
T h is is a m a r v e l o u s m e n t a l a r i t h m e t i c p
ro b le m w h ic h w i l l p ro v e i n t e r e s t in g -. R e q u
e s t a n y o n e to t h i n k o f t h e n u m b e r o f t h e m o
n th o f t h e i r b i r th . J a n u a r y th e f i rs t m o n th
, F e b r u a r y t h e second , etc. M u l t ip ly i t b y 2; a d
d 5; m u l t i p ly t h a t by 50; a d d h i s a g e ; s u b t r a
c t 365; a d d 115; n o w a s k th e r e su l t . T he l a s t tw o
n u m b e r s w i l l r e v e a l t h e age , w h i le th e n u m b
e r o f n u m b e r s p r e c e d in g th e m w i l l r e v e a l t
h e m o n th . F o r in s ta n c e , i f t h e r e s u l t w a s
1260 60 b e in g th e ag e , a n d 12 b e in g th e m o n t h D ece
m b e r .
M YSTERIO US V A N ISH IN G CIGARETTEIn t h i s t r i c k t h e
p e r f o r m e r i n s t a n t l y v a n i s h e s a l i g h t e d
c i g a r e t t e , w i th
s le e v e s t u r n e d b ack . T h i s is 'a m y s t i f y i n
g t r i c k a n d m a y be d o n e a n y w h e r e .T h e S e c re
t : A s m a l l p iece o f a p p a r a t u s k n o w n a s a v a n
i s h e r is used, w h ic h m a y be s e c u re d f ro m a n y m a
g i c a l d e a l e r o r e a s i ly m ade. T h is is sh a p e d s
i m i l a r to a c a p of a f o u n t a i n p en to w h ic h is a t
t a c h e d a l e n g t h o f e l a s t i c cord. T h e co rd p la
c e d t h r o u g h th e b e l t loops o f t h e t r o u s e r s ,
a n d f a s t e n e d ; l e a v i n g th e v a n i s h e r h a n g
i n g on r i g h t s ide o f b e l t . W h i le c i g a r e t t e
is b e i n g h e ld in l e f t h an d , r e a c h d o w n a n d g e
t t h e v a n i s h e r w i t h t h e r i g h t h a n d , a n d ho
ld i t in t h e c losed r i g h t h a n d w i t h t h e o pen e n d
n e a r t h e th u m b . W i t h th e le f t h a n d y o u n o w a
p p a r e n t l y i n s e r t t h e c i g a r e t t e in t h e c
losed p a lm ; y o u r e a l l y i n s e r t i t in t h e v a n i s
h e r , a n d c i g a r e t t e flies b a c k u n d e r th e coa t
, a n d b o th h a n d s a r e n o w s h o w n
e m p ty . T h e p u b l i s h e r o f t h i s b o o k w i l l
su p p ly you. A s k f o r c a t a lo g u e .
TH E M AGNETIC JOKERT h is f e a t c a n b e p e r fo r m e d o
n ly w i t h a m a r k e d d e c k o f c a rd s , w h ic h w i l
l
e n a b le th e m b e in g r e a d by g l a n c i n g a t t h e
i r b a c k s . To b eg in , p lace t h e J o k e r on tab le , shu
f f le t h e d e c k a n d n o te b o t to m ca rd , w h ic h w e w
i l l c a l l t h e A ce of H e a r t s . P l a c e d e c k fa c e
d o w n in one p i le a n d n o te t h e to p c a r d b y th e s e
c re t m a r k , s a y i t is t h e J a c k o f Clubs . T u r n y o
u r b a c k a n d a s k s o m e o n e to p lace t h e J o k e r on
to p o f d e c k a n d c u t t h e m once. W i t h o u t t u r n i
n g a r o u n d y o u n a m e th e c a r d a b o v e a n d b e lo w
t h e J o k e r th e Ace of H e a r t s a n d J a c k of Clubs . E
x c lu s iv e t r i c k s c a n be p e r fo r m e d w i t h th e s
e m a r k e d d eck s , e q u a l to a n y p e r fo r m e d by p r
o fe s s io n a l m a g ic i a n s . D e ta i l e d i n s t r u c t
i o n s a c c o m p a n ie s e a c h deck. W r i t e to p u b l i s
h e r o f t h i s b o o k f o r f r e e d e s c r ip t io n s .
EA TIN G A M EA L OF FIREP our about a tab lesponfu l of A
lcohol in to a saucer and th row about
e igh t o r ten good-sized ra isin s in to th e saucer and lig h
t w ith candle. Takea fo rk and ea t th e b lazing ra is in s as
you would quail on to a s t. Chew ,and sw allow them they w ill n o
t h a rm you. Close th e m outh as soon as i t contains th e raisin
.
M AGICAL R E L E A SE FROM BO NDAG ET w o p ieces of s t r o n g
cord . E a c h a b o u t one y a r d long . T ie on
e n d to e a c h w r i s t by p a s s i n g c o rd a r o u n d w
r i s t a n d t y i n g on th e p a lm side. One en d o f t h e se
cond c o rd is a t t a c h e d to o n e w r i s t ,t h e r i g h t
, o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n in t h e s a m e m a n n e r , t h
e n t h e f re ee n d is p a s se d o v e r t h e f i rs t co rd a
n d b e t w e e n y o u r a r m s th e o t h e r end o f s e co n d
co rd is t h e n t i e d in s a m e m a n n e r to t h e l e f t w
r i s t o f y o u r c o - w o rk e r . T h e t r i c k is to f r e
e y o u r s e l f f ro m b o n d a g e w i th t h e o t h e r pe
rso n . I t is a c c o m p l i s h e d b y s e iz in g y o u r o p
p o n e n t ' s c o rd a t t h e c e n t r e , p a s s i t u n d e
r c o rd on r i g h t w r i s t , d r a w th i s loop o v e r t h e
f inge r t ip s , t h e n b a c k a n d u n d e r w r i s t b a n d
on o p p o s i t e s id e a n d i f p r o p e r l y done, y o u w i
l l h a v e g a in e d y o u r f ree d o m .
TH E NECROM ANTIC N U M B E R S
16
-
Goods advert ised on th is and the fo l lo w in g pages can be
purchased d irec t f ro m the m a n u fa c tu re rs ,
S. S. A d a m s Co., A sbury Park, N . J.T ra n s p o rta t io n
c h a rg e s a re p re p a id . G o o d s th a t a re n o t m a ila
b le
a re s h ip p e d via p re p a id e x p re s s o n ly if p a rt
o f an o rd e r a m o u n t in g to o n e d o lla r o r m o re
.
MAGIC CARDSW hile these cards apparently are the same as any
ordinary
d eck o f P laying Cards, they can be used for magical stunts w
ith o u t number.
T h e backs are en tirely m echanicaln o len g th y study nor
practice is necessary.
M M
*4> if?
y.r t a a t* i Ba iTk aOSiDE fcANDS DOLLAR DECK
T his deek contains over 12.000 secret marks. Some .seemingly
impossible fea ts in magic can be perform ed w ith
DAISY DECK*Th backs of th is deck contain A sys> tern of m
arks which can be read a t a d is tance of 1-* fet. W onderful for
s tage use.
N IFTY DECK T h is dock is especially suited fo r lo n t d
istance reading. The directions tell you how to accomplish some
seemingly impossible feats.
ADAMS LEAGUE DECK T hese cards can be told" from tl* back as
well a s the front. You can perform an en tire ucl in magic with
the ir aid.
Every one of these decks is different. Exclusive tricks can be
performed w ith each. Special directions containing the secret key"
are furnished w ith every deck.
W ith these cards YOU can accomplish feats in magic, equal to
any performed by professional magicians.
P R IC E PER D ECK .j .*/ i O N E D O LLA R
PH A N TO M CARDS(No. 351)
From five ca rd s show n, th re e a re m en ta lly selec ted by
an y o n e in th e au d ien ce . All c a rd s a re then p laced u n
d e r a h a p d k e rc h ie f an d th e tw o n o t s e lec ted a re
rem oved by the p e rfo rm e r. S om eone else is th e n req u es
ted to rem ove th e o th e r th re e c a rd s , a n d th ese , to
th e a s to n ish m en t o f a ll, have en tire lyd isappeared . T
h e tr ic k causes tw o b ig s u rp r ise s andis th e s im p les t
c a rd tr ick ev e r in v e n ted . E ach , 10 C ents.
17
-
M a g ic G o o d s m a n u f a c tu r e d b y S . S. A d a m s C
o., A s b u ry P a r k , N. J .(All t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c h
a r g e s . p r e p a id )
V A N IS H E R(N o . 303)
W ith the a id o f th is V an ish e r i t is possib le to m ake
sm all a r tic le s , such as h an d k e rc h ie fs , paper m oney,
etc ., to ap p a re n tly d isap p ear in to th e air. T he w ork
looks v e ry effec tive fo r th e reaso n th a t it is done w ith
th e sleeves ro lled up. T h e V a n ish e r is an ex a c t d u p
lica te o f th e a tta c h m e n t used by p ro fessional m ag
icians. W e g u a ra n te e th a t an y o n e can do it th e firs t
tim e i t s tr ied . E ach , 25 C ents.
B IL L IA R D B A L L S(N o . 320)
H av in g m agically p ro d u ced a so lid b illia rd ball, th e
c o n ju ro r by sim ply m ov ing his hand in th e a ir , causes a
second ball o f c o rre sp o n d in g size to appear beside it. W h
ile eve ryone is w a tch in g as c lo se ly as possib le, a th ird
ball ap p e ars w ith th e second and finally a fo u rth ball
appears. T h ese a re show n to be solid . T h ey a re now cau sed
to van ish , one a t a tim e, u n til th e h an d s a re show n to
be em p ty again .
E ach , 25 C ents.u a k J k u u s
-
J o k e r s N o v e l t i e s m a n u f a c t u r e d b y S. S.
A d a m s C o ., A s b u r y P a r k , N . J .All t r a n s p o r t
a t i o n c h a r g e s p r e p a id . ( O rd e r s fo r u n m a i
l a b l e g o o d s a c - |
c e p te d o n ly a s p a r t o f a n o r d e r f o r $1.00 o r
m o re . )T R I C K L O C K A N D C I G A R
C U T T E R(N o . 7)
T h is a r t ic le com b ines a Jo k e N ovelty , P u zz le , C
igar C u tte r a n d S a fe ty Lock. W h ile y ou w ill find i t a
lm o s t im possib le to open th is lock w h ile h e ld in f ro n t
o f you , it w ill im m ed ia te ly com e open w hen held b eh in d
y o u r back. T h is s ta te m e n t seem s u n b e liev ab le , b
u t n e v e r the less i t s ab so lu te ly tru e . N o t on ly |is
th is a u se fu l n o v e lty , i t 's one o f Ith e b es t li ttle
F u n M ak ers you e v e r jsaw. E ach , 25 C ents.
A N A R C H I S T ( s t i n k ) B O M B(N o . 50)
C onsists o f a li ttle g la ss " ia l, c o n ta in in g in liq-
; n id fo rm , a chem ica l w hich w ill p ro d u ce a m ost h o
rrib le odo r. _ I
O ne d ropped in a room fu ll o f peop le w ill causc m ore c o
n s te rn a tio n th a n a lim b u rg e r cheese.
T h e sm ell w ill e n t ire ly d isappear, in a s h o r t tim
e. T h ^ se bom bs co n ta in n o th in g u n c lean n o r u n h e
a lth fu l ; th e fluid rea lly is a d is in fe c ta n t.
Pun up th re e in a box. (N o t m a ilab le ) P e r box,10 C
ents.
1 R y e ( I m i t a t i o n W h i s k e y B o t t l e ) . An e x
a e t im i t a t i o n o f a W h i s k e y sa m p le , l a b e led
" P U R C OLD R Y E . T h e c o n t e n t s c o n s i s t of ry e g
r a in s . A v e r y f u n n y jo k e . E a c h 25 cen ts .
3 S a l t e d P e a n u t s ( w i t h s n a k e ) . A s m a l l
c o n t a i n e r s i m i l a r to t h a t in w h ic h S a l t e d
P e a n u t s u s u a l ly a r e su pp l ied . A s n a k e j u m p
s o u t w h e n th e c o n t a i n e r is open ed . E a c h 25 cen
ts .
5 M a r s h m a l l o w s (w i th s n a k e ) . A t in can l a b
e le d l ik e a n o r d i n a r y j can of M a r s h m a l lo w s ,
w h ic h w h e n o p e n e d c o n t a i n s a m o n s t e r s n a
k e t h r e e i n c h e s in d i a m e t e r a n d 36 in c h e s
long:. E a c h >0 cen ts .
14 S n a k e J a m J a r . An e x a c t i m i t a t i o n of a j
a r o f R a s p b e r r y J a m .W h e n op en ed a 30- inch s n a
k e w il l j u m p o u t a n d loan t e n f e e t in th e a i r . E
a c h 50 cen ts .
18 F a t i m a S h a d o w D a n c e r . a m a tc h a n
-
J o k e r s ' N o v e l t i e s m a n u f a c t u r e d b y S .
S. A d a m s Co., A s b u r y P a r k , N . J .(A ll t r a n s p o
r t a t i o n c h a r g e s a r e p r e p a id . )
C A C H O O(N o . 70)
O f a ll th e f u n m a k e rs ev e r in v e n te d , C A C H O
O easily leads them all. I t c re a te s m o re fu n to the s q u a
re in c h th a n an y o th e r jo k e r.
C A C H O O is a fine p ow der, w hich w hen b low n in to th e
a i r w ill cau se ev e ry b o d y to sneeze . I t is ab so lu te
ly h arm less . T h e sen sa tio n is ex a c tly th e sam e as th a
t c a u sed by th e ta k in g o f a p in ch o f snu ff.
C A C H O O is also v e ry la s tin g , a te n ce n t v ia l co
n ta in s en o u g h fo r a t le as t tw e n ty doses.(N o t m a i
l a b l e ) . E a c h , 10 C ents .
L O A D E D C I G A R E T T E S(N o . 160)
A box co n ta in in g te n a p p a re n tly g en u in e C ig a
re tte s . T h e y co n ta in a cap w hich exp lodes w hen ab o u t
one-th ird is sm oked.
T h e y a p p e a r so rea l a n d affo rd so good a sm oke (w h
ile th e y la s t ) th a t th e v ic tim is ta k en e n t ire ly by
s u r p rise . A g re a t la u g h p ro d u c e r and e n t ire ly
harm less.
B ox o f te n , 25 C en ts.62 S h o o t i n g B o o k . A r e a
l boo k w h ic h s h o o t s off a c a p w i t h a loud
r e p o r t w h e n opened . (C a p s n o t m a i l a b l e . )
E a c h 50 cen ts .64 I m i t a t i o n B e d B u g s . S ix i m i
t a t i o n s o f r e a l bed b u g s c o n t a i n e d in
a t r a n s p a r e n t en ve lope . C an be u se d f o r j o k
e s w i t h o u t n u m b e r . E a c h e n v e lo p e 10 cen ts
.
75 C i g a r B u t t . A p e r f e c t I m i t a t i o n of a l
i g h t e d c ig a r . T h is l o o k s a b s o l u t e l y r e a l
a n d s h o w s t h e a s h e s a n d s p a r k a n d even th e s a
l i v a on th e end. E a c h 10 ce n ts .
90 E x p l o s i v e M a t c h e s . T h e se m a t c h e s e x
p lo d e w i t h a lo u d b a n g w h e n l it . T h i r t e e n m
a t c h e s c o n ta in e d in a w o o d e n tu b e . (N o t m a i
l a b l e . ) E a c h tu b e 10 cen ts .
100. F l y P i n . T h is is so e x a c t a n i m i t a t i o n
of a fly t h a t i t c a n n o t be to ld f ro m a l iv e one. I n
s t r u c t i o n s in c lu d e d fo r p l a y i n g t r i c k s w
i t h o u t n u m b e r . E a c h 10 cen ts .
131 I t c h i n g P o w d e r . I t c h p o w d e r c o n ta in
e d in a s m a l l box. T h is j o k e n o v e l t y is to o w e l
l k n o w n to n e e d d e s c r ip t io n . (N o t m a i l a b l e
. ) P e r bo x 10 cen ts .
200 P a l p i t a t o r . C an be u s e d u n d e r a t a b l e
c lo th to m a k e p l a t e s and d i s h e s d a n c e o r u n d
e r t h e v e s t to i m i t a t e p a l p i t a t i o n o f t h e
h e a r t , a l s o fo r n u m e r o u s o t h e r j o k e s . E a
c h 25 cen ts .
220 R a v e l e r . A s m a l l b o b b in t h a t is p i n n e
d in s id e t h e co a t . A p iece of w h i t e t h r e a d is l e
f t h a n g i n g o u ts id e . W h e n a n y o n e t r i e s to t
a k e it off t h e r e is no end to t h e s t r i n g . E a c h 10
cen ts .
221 R o o t e r , T h is is a f u n n y a r t i c l e t h a t c
a n be u se d a s a j o k e o r a n o i se m a k e r . I t i m i t
a t e s t h e b l o w i n g of t h e n ose , o n ly m u c h lo u d
e r . E a c h 10 cen ts .
230 S h i n e r . A s m a l l t e l e s c o p e t h a t c o n t
a i n s a b la c k e n e d r im . A n y on e t h a t l o o k s t h
r o u g h i t g e t s a b l a c k eye. E a c h 25 cen ts .
238 S u r p r i s e S q u i r t e r . A m e d a l l io n t h a t
is w o r n in t h e b u t t o n ho le a n d is c o n n e c te d w i
t h a r u b b e r b a l l in p o c k e t c o n t a i j t f n r w a
t e r . A n y on e lo o k in g a t i t g e t s a s h o w e r b a th
. E a c h 15 c e n t ^
241 S h i m m i e D a n c e r . A d a n c i n g f ig u re p r i
n t e d on a r u b b e r she e t . M a n ip u la t i o n f ro m t h
e b a c k m a k e s t h e f ig u re s h i m m i e . E a c h 15 cen
ts .
