“But now we come to the more remarkable feature of the case. I told you about the queer way in which the cards change places. Even in this short time I daresay the lady’s card has got tired of being number three, and has moved away to some other number. If so, the die will tell us. Throw it again, Sir, please.”
This is done, the die bringing up a new number, say “five.”
“The die declares that the card has moved, and now stands fifth. We shall soon see whether such is really the case. First, however, let us see whether it has really departed from number three.”
Performer has meanwhile replaced the two cards just lifted. He now lifts the upper one only, which (being one of the indifferent cards) shows a different face. “The queen has gone, you see. And now to ascertain whether she has really passed to number five.”
The two cards standing at that number are lifted together, and again a queen of diamonds is exhibited. The trick can of course be repeated any number of times, but it is better not to prolong it beyond a third or fourth “move.”
In picking up two cards together, in order to show the undermost, they are lifted with second finger at top, thumb at bottom and the first and third fingers at the sides. Thus “framed” so to speak, the two cards will lie squarely the one upon the other and be undistinguishable from a single card. When it is desired to lift the upper card alone, it should be nipped between the second finger at top right-hand corner and thumb at bottom left-hand corner, when it will be brought away clear without difficulty.
There is one contingency for which the performer must be prepared, namely, that the throw of the die may happen to correspond with the actual position of the card drawn. Both cards of the pair are in this case alike, and the performer cannot, at the succeeding throw, show that the drawn card is no longer in its late position. This possibility is provided for by having the back of the card marked as before explained. Should the contingency in question arise, the performer, having meanwhile noted the marked card, does not call attention to the disappearance of the queen from that number, but proceeds at once to show that it has moved to its new position. There is not the smallest fear that anyone will notice the omission.
[5] Since the description which follows was written, it has come to my knowledge that there is already on sale a trick on somewhat similar lines in point of effect entitled The Educated Die. I need hardly say that my own trick, so far as I am concerned, is absolutely original. The advertised description of The Educated Die would suit either trick, but there is little further resemblance between them.
THE DISSOLVING DICE
To be worked on a Black Art Table