A more difficult experiment—until you know the secret. Ask someone to put water into a glass when the glass is held upside down. Naturally, they give it up. Then:
Pour some water on a plate. Crumple up a small piece of paper, light it and drop it into a tumbler; let it burn for a second or two and then invert the glass over the plate. You will see the water rush into the glass. You have kept your word and have put water into the glass when the glass has been upside down.
A Sporting Offer
Bend a wooden match into the form of a capital V, taking care not to break the match. Lay the match on the top of a bottle and just at the angle of the "V" place a threepenny bit. Tell someone that they may have the coin if they can get it into the bottle, but they must not touch the match, or the coin, or the bottle, or the table on which the bottle is standing, and they must not blow the coin into the bottle.
You have probably guessed—since this book has to do with water tricks—that water must be used in this trick in some way. In that case you are right. Drop a little water on the angle of the match; the wood will expand, the "V" will open and the threepenny bit will drop into the bottle.
A Feat of Dexterity
Pour some water into a tumbler and balance two pennies on the edge of the tumbler; the coins should be opposite to each other.
The trick is to remove the coins together, using only a thumb and one finger.
To do this place the thumb on one coin and the first finger on the other. Quickly slide the coins down the sides of the glass and bring the first finger and thumb together, taking the coins with them.
This is a feat of dexterity; it is not difficult, but you will not do it at the first attempt. The water helps to steady the glass.