Royal Road to Card Magic The

cards down in the left hand to their original position. Fan them again as you say, 'You see they are back to their original size (figure 135).'

    5. Close the fan once more. The cards should now project about 50 mm (2 in) above the left forefinger. 'With considerable pressure I can make them smaller still.' Bring your right hand over the top of the pack and press downwards, pushing the cards down until they protrude 25 mm (1 in) only. Spread them again swiftly as you remove the right hand.
    6. Repeat the action of squeezing the cards, and push them downwards so that only the extreme ends show. When they are spread they appear to be tiny cards. The indexes will help this illusion.
    7. Close the fan and again bring the right hand over to squeeze the pack, but this time press on the outer end, move the left thumb aside momentarily, and lever the pack up into the right hand, palming it. Press the left thumb tightly against the tips of the left index and middle fingers, as if holding the compressed cards with considerable effort, and move the right hand away, its forefinger pointing to the left hand.
    8. Raise the left hand, keeping your whole attention fixed on it, and with your right hand tug lightly at your left sleeve near the elbow. 'When the cards are this size I can snap them up my sleeve with the greatest of ease.' Snap your left middle finger against the tip of the thumb, and open the fingers widely. The cards have vanished.
    Pause a moment, then thrust your right hand under your jacket towards the armpit, and produce the palmed cards in as large a fan as possible, saying, 'The moment the pressure is released the cards spring back to their original size.'
    Three Cards Across
    This trick is one of the finest in all card magic. When neatly presented it never fails to entertain and mystify an audience. It was a favourite with the great English magician David Devant and with countless card conjurors since.
    The plot is simple. A spectator counts off a number of cards and puts them in his pocket or holds them in his hands. A second spectator chooses a card, the value of which is used to indicate how many cards shall be caused to fly invisibly to the cards held by the first assistant. The magician takes the pack and snaps it sharply, and when the spectator again counts his cards he finds that the required number of cards have been added to those he holds! This is one of the oldest plots in magic and, like all the old tricks which have survived the passage of time, it is a truly great classic.
    Beforehand place two of the three-spots on the top of the pack, the other two at the bottom.
    1. If you are performing for an intimate group, seat yourself at a table and request one of those present to sit opposite you. If you have a larger audience, use a small table and stand your assistant on your left, with the table between you. In selecting a spectator to assist you, choose if you can a person who has shown that he enjoys your tricks, for he will be less likely to attempt to embarrass you and will follow your instructions exactly and without question.
    Place the pack before your assistant and instruct him to cut it into three packets fairly equal in size. When he has done this, request him to select any one of the three and take it in his hands. Note which he takes, and in picking up the other two assemble them so that you will have two three-spots either on the top or on the bottom.
    If you have two three-spots at the top of the pack, well and good. If not, shuffle one of those at the bottom to the top. Approach another spectator and force the three-spot on him, preferably using the classic force. Have him place the forced card in his pocket without looking at it.
    2. Return to the table and address your assistant somewhat as follows: 'I shall ask you, to count your cards, but I want you to do so in a manner which will prove to all that you have counted them correctly. Kindly hold them about 45 cm (18 in) above the table and drop them one by one, thus.' Illustrate by dropping three cards singly from those you hold. 'We shall all be able then to count with you and you will be sure that none of the cards cling together.'
    The reasons given for counting the cards in this manner are logical, and you have a private purpose too. Thus counted, the cards will spread and not be dealt in a neat pile - an essential point as you will see in a moment.
    Pick up the three cards you have dropped, replace them on the top of the cards you