FIG. 1.—“LA STROBEIKA PERSANE.”

The trick is supposed to take place in a prison or dungeon. In the center of the stage, quite near the back scene, stand four upright posts about eight feet high, and set about eight feet apart on the long side, and four on the short. These posts are made fast to a rectangular iron frame at the top, from the four corners of which are chains supporting a plank about an inch and a quarter thick, all in full view of the audience. Curtains hang from the framework to about a foot below the level of the board; these curtains can be opened or closed by sliding them back and forth on the frame, rings being sewed on them to allow of this being done easily. A man supposed to be a prisoner is stretched upon the plank; his wrists and ankles are manacled and locked by a committee from the audience, who can furnish, if they desire, locks of their own. His neck is also enclosed in a steel collar and locked to the plank. At a signal the curtains are closed, and, as they reach only a little way below the plank, permit of a full view underneath, to the rear wall of the stage. In less than a minute the curtains are withdrawn again, and a young lady is seen to have taken the place of the man, who, at the instant of the girl’s discovery, is seen running down the aisle of the theater. Now, let us see how this strange trick is accomplished.

FIG. 2.—TOP OF BOARD, SHOWING LOCKS AND HASPS.

FIG. 3.—BOTTOM OF BOARD, SHOWING PLATES.

[Enlarged illustration] (155 kB)