Fig. 30.
Fig. 31.
Draw the tie close but not tight over the left hand, B being the tie. Open out the left hand so that, when closed, the loop will be loose on the hand. Pass the end in the right hand over the left palm on the inside of the string already there, and make another single tie over the string at the same place as where you formed the first one, closing your left hand, which loosens the strings around its fingers. After the tie, pass the twine under the back of the left hand, between the strings C and D (in the second illustration) Fig. 30.
The dotted line E is the string A. Take that string up on the left hand fingers as in the third illustration.
By practice this can be done unseen by the lookers on. Draw the end tight till it reaches B. Pass the end A under C and D strings, which cross the palm, drop the whole string off the left hand and pull gently and steadily the end A with the right hand, and the string pulls out straight.
ROBERT HOUDIN’S FAMOUS RABBIT TRICK.
Preparation.—Have a small white, long-eared rabbit hidden in a secret pocket inside the right breast of your coat.
Performance.—On requiring a rabbit for a trick, you select a simple-looking member of the company. On his rising, you stand behind him so as to cover your body with his. Take his right wrist in your right hand as if to keep him steady, by which act you open your coat out naturally to the right. Now flourish your left hand with the arm extended, and bring it round to the level of the back of the party’s neck. Then, at the same time that you forcibly thrust your three last fingers well down within the simple gentleman’s coat collar, you seize the rabbit’s ear or ears between your forefinger and thumb. Now lift up the rabbit, and the simple gentleman will be too much confused by the shock to perceive how the deception was managed. The audience will be equally astonished.