THE CONJURER'S CARD CHANGING FROM A FIVE TO A FOUR.

A playing-card is shown to the audience which they plainly see is a five of some suit. Yet in the twinkling of an eye—indeed, merely upon the closing and opening of the hand, the card is transformed and becomes a four of the same suit.

Explanation.— The card shown is really a four spot, but it is thus prepared: the central pip is movable, running freely on two parallel threads or horsehairs, B B, from the centre to the left hand upper pip. The card is thicker than usual, giving room in its thickness for the free play of a lever, A, fixed on a pivot, one end extending a little beyond the edge of the card, and the other being fastened to the horsehairs—which are endless bands, in fact.

Action.—When the lever outward end is moved upwards, it carries the horsehairs with it, and drags the pip attached to them from the centre to the left-hand upper pip. This is done by the thumb—and isquite imperceptible. You have a real four of the same suit to give to the audience for their scrutiny.

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