Royal Road to Card Magic The

the lady's hand. Have the same act done with ladies B and A, but, when he has grasped A's hand, turn away to put the card case on the table and leave him holding the lady's hand. Turn again and pretend to be surprised that he is still 'holding hands'. 'Well,' you say, 'I think you must have received a very good impression this time.'
    5. 'Kindly bring me the four selected cards.' He does this, and you seat him at your table so that he is on your left, with the little table between you. Shuffle off about half the deck by the overhand method, hold the packet in your left hand towards him, and have the four cards placed on it. Immediately resume the shuffle, jogging the first card and shuffling off on top of it. Form a break at the injog, shuffle to the break, and throw on top. Finally, execute the lift shuffle control, leaving the four chosen cards on the top. While shuffling talk briskly to the assistant, asking him if he likes magic, if he has enjoyed your work so far, and so on. Look at him and not at your hands.
    6. 'For our experiment we really should have the objects, that is the cards, placed in a dark room, so let's improvise one. Will you empty your inner breast pocket for a few moments?' As he moves his hand to do this, palm the four top cards in your right hand and take the pack in that hand. 'One moment,' you continue, 'will you shuffle the cards first?' Hand the deck to him and, when he has shuffled, take it back, replacing the palmed cards on top by the method we have already given you. Then have him empty his breast pocket. Generally some amusement may be caused by naming the miscellaneous articles brought forth. Give him the deck and have him place it in his pocket.
    You require to have the cards with their faces towards his body, therefore watch carefully. 'The cards must be completely isolated. You are sure that you left nothing else in your pocket?' So saying you plunge your hand into the pocket. If the deck has been placed wrongly (it should be on end and backs outwards), turn it into the correct position and push off the top card, A's card, turning it so that it lies on its side at the bottom of the pocket. 'That's right,' you go on, 'there is nothing in the pocket but the cards.'
    7. 'We are going to see how well your subconscious mind responds to the impressions you received from the ladies. Suppose we begin with this lady's card,' and you indicate the second lady (B). 'Kindly name the card you chose.' 'The six of spades,' let us suppose the lady replies. 'You, sir, now have to find the lady's card, the six of spades. Oh, you won't have any trouble. Your subconscious will do it for you. Please hold your left hand over your head. By the way, you had better stand up. Thank you. Take hold of your lapel with your right hand, hold your jacket open, and when I say 'Three' dive your left hand into your pocket and bring out the six of spades. You must work as fast as you can, or the impression left on your hand and the card will fade. Are you ready? One, two, three!'
    He thrusts his hand into the pocket and naturally, taking the first card his hand comes into contact with, brings out the six of spades. Take the card from him and display it to the audience.
    8. 'That was excellent. Your subconscious is working very well tonight. Let's see if it will lead you to this lady's card,' and you indicate C. Follow exactly the same procedure with her card and with D's, each card being named and found by the assistant in the same way. Encourage him to work with you by making little asides complimenting him. Watch him when he plunges his hand into the pocket, and if he does not withdraw it at once with a card this means he is taking a card from the centre of the pack. Stop him, saying, 'No, no! You are letting the impression escape. Let's start again. You must be quick, or the card will get away from you.'
    9. With the last card, the one drawn by the first lady (A), naturally he fails and brings out a wrong card. Let him try twice more then remark, 'Really, I'm surprised. I thought that would have been the strongest impression you received. You held the lady's hand quite a long while. We must try another method, the simplest possible.' Take the deck out of his pocket, leaving A's card behind, the one you turned on its side. 'Run through the deck, take out the card that the lady has named, and we'll try another experiment with it.'
    10. He searches, but the card is not there. Take the pack from him. 'Do you know how