Let the person draw four cards from the pack at pleasure, and desire him to think of one of them; then take these four cards back, and place two of them at the top and two at the bottom of the pack, in a dextrous manner, so as not to be perceived: under the two last, place any four cards whatever; then display the lower part of the pack on the table, showing only 8 or 10 cards, and ask the person whether the one he thought of be among them. If he says No, you may be sure that it is one of the two which you put at the top of the pack; in that case you must transfer them to the bottom, and then, showing the bottom of the pack, say, Is not this your card? If he replies No, turn aside that card with your third finger, which you must have previously moistened, and desire him to draw out his card himself from the bottom of the pack.
If the person should say, that the card he thought of is among the first shown to him, dextrously remove the four cards put at the bottom of the pack, in order that the two, one of which is the card he thought of, may be the lowermost of the pack, and you may then either show him his card, or make him draw it out himself, as above explained.
TOPSY TURVY.
On receiving the selected card pretend to shuffle it amongst the others, but really bring it to the top. The rest of the pack you arrange with their edges even, whilst the top card projects a little.
On pushing that card a little out, at the same time as you drop the pack perpendicularly, the resistance of the air will turn the single card upside down, so that it will rest face up on the top of the fallen cards.
THE CONJUROR’S CARD CASTLE.
From a pack of cards two are forced upon two of the company. They are replaced, and the pack is shuffled. While this is being done, a little model house is brought into the room and placed on the table.
In its front are two windows, with closed blinds, and a door.
The pack is thrust down the chimney of the house, when, instantly, the door flies out and emits the pack of cards without the two selected cards, which appear one at each window.