In effect, the performer takes from his pocket a telegram on which is an obviously coded message. A pair of regular dice are handed to a spectator along with the telegram, and the performer turns his back. The dice are thrown, and the two top figures multiplied together. The spectator is then asked to count to that word in the wire and concentrate steadily upon it and its meaning. Nothing has been told to the performer, and although he has no idea of the numbers arrived at with the dice, he correctly gives out the letters of the word !

All one needs is a telegram as per that on the cover of this issue and two dice. The spectator actually selects the word as described above and you start to concentrate. After mussing your hair a bit and grunting, say “My dear sir, you evidently have never had your mind read before, and the word is coming to me in a jumble. However, I will call out letters as I get them, and you please cross them off as I call them. When you have crossed out the last remaining one of the letters in the word, say “RIGHT” in a loud voice in order that I may not sink too much into a trance.”

The words in the telegram are so chosen and so arranged that no matter what numbers show on the dice, their product will lead to a word which you will arrive at by repeating the following letters slowly, and in the order given, until the spectator says “RIGHT”, when all of the letters in the chosen word will have been given.

I S T E N P D R E A O M

This makes an excellent impromptu mental stunt. To make it look proper, and not so faked up, send yourself a night telegram and keep it in the envelope ready for use. That is much better than typing or writing it on a blank.