TO RESTORE A CUT STRING.
(Decremp’s Garter Trick.)
Having a piece of string, with the ends tied, run one hand through each end, twist it once round (Fig. 21), and put both ends into the left hand. Draw the right hand quickly along the double strings to where the strings cross, and conceal the join with the right thumb and forefinger (Fig. 22).
Figs. 21 and 22.
Hold the strings in the same way with the left hand, and let some one cut the string between them. You show that the string has been divided into two pieces, and assert that you can join them by mastication. Put all four ends into your mouth, and remove with your tongue the little cut off loop.
When you take the string out of your mouth no one will notice the absence of so small a portion of its length, and will fancy that you really have joined them. Take an opportunity of getting rid of the fragment you retained in your mouth.