He left out the date and signature.
These were unnecessary in the trick he was playing.
Having satisfied himself that his writing bore a close resemblance to that on Jack's check, he laid the check he had filled out one top of the one Jack gave him with the greatest care, so that all the lines on one were exactly opposite the lines on the other.
This he ascertained by holding them up to the light and staring through the thin paper.
When he had them matched exactly, he located a spot across the width of both where no writing was seen.
Holding the checks tightly together he tore them in two, just as if the two checks were one thickness of paper.
Consequently both were torn exactly alike.
Taking off the two top pieces he laid them side by side, joining the edges where they were torn, and then did the same with the other check.
This done he took the right hand piece of Jack's check, upon which were the date at the top and signature at the bottom.
He then took the left hand piece of the check he had made out and put it to the piece with the signature which Jack inscribed.