en lift off the five-spot card
and pass it to a spectator with the remark that the centre spot is loose
and can be transferred at will to any other card; while the card is
being examined you secretly count off the three other prepared cards at
the bottom of the pack and keep them separated from the rest with the
index finger of left hand. Now take back the five-spot card and place it
on the back of the pack, with its face side toward audience. Then with
the first two fingers and thumb of right hand take the three other cards
from bottom of pack and show them as one card only: namely, the two
spot. This movement is best executed by slightly pushing down the three
cards with the index finger of left hand until a sufficient amount of
projection is obtained for the fingers and thumb of right hand to grip.
Now place the apparent two-spot card face toward, and on to the five
spot; proceed by gently rubbing the back card with the index finger of
right hand, and lift the top card and show it to be a three spot, while
the card facing is found to be a four spot, which you also remove. The
back of the two-spot card will then be seen and the pack appear to be an
unprepared one.

AN ARTFUL CARD FORCE

PRESENTATION.--First secretly note what the top card of the pack is.
Then proceed by asking a spectator to state what card he wishes you to
use by giving you a number. After having received the number you proceed
to count the cards face down on to a table until you reach that number,
at the same time mentioning that the last card counted is the one you
are to use. You pause for a moment, apparently thinking, then say, it is
possible that the spectator may think that you already know the card as
you counted them yourself, you consider that it would only be fair to
allow him to count them himself. At the same time you replace the
counted cards, and hand the pack to spectator, with the request that he
counts down to the number previously stated. This, of course, has the
effect of bringing the known top card into position at his number, so
that it is quite an easy matter to follow on with any trick in which the
sleight-of-hand force is necessary. This seems very simple, but try the
effect; even our advanced friends will find it extremely useful.

ANOTHER EASY CARD FORCE

REQUISITES.--An ordinary pack of cards and two extra cards stuck
securely together.

Place the double card below a previously noted card. Hold the pack in
the le