Prophecy, in the form of what has become known as The Swami Test, since Claude Alexander first made magicians “Swami” conscious back around 1920, has been a much experimented with, and much mangled effect in many an instance. I have filed exactly 16 variations and methods that have been marketed at prices from $1 to $10. The following is my own method which is exactly twelve years old this month, and during that time I’ve certainly had ample opportunity to test it out under most of the possible conditions that will beset a club and close-up worker.

You use one small card, one small envelope, one pencil, and nothing else. Both card and envelope are examined and initialed. You write something on the card, seal in envelope, and put it in full view, it never leaving sight for as much as an instant. A number of three figures is called out, and someone else names any color. The mark on the envelope is identified first, and then opened and card withdrawn. On the marked card is found written the exact number and correct color, everything being left with the audience at the finish.

Don’t work too close to audience, but stand back about eight to ten feet. Have the card and envelope examined and marked with the pencil, which is about two and a half inches long. You take the pencil and card back, pretending to write something on the card, but actually nothing, and then put the pencil in your right trouser pocket.

Hold the envelope in your left hand, flap up, and address side towards the spectators. Put the card into the envelope, from spectator’s point of view, but it really goes down behind the envelope, being held by the left thumb, and the envelope is lifted to your tongue and moistened. As the flap is bent down with your right hand, the forefinger of your left hand goes between end of card and envelope which allows the flap to go down behind it, the right thumb and forefinger being drawn back and forth across the envelope, one on each side, to seal the flap.

The envelope now is held between the two hands, thumbs of each hand at the back holding the card up against it and the forefingers at front. Release the side held by the right fingers, and the left hand comes over towards wrist of right, leaving envelope and card in palm of right, the envelope still at front and hiding the card. The right is now held out so the envelope can be plainly seen for a second while talking.

The left fingers and thumb now come back and pick up the envelope at same end as before, bringing it out to same position as at first, between thumb and forefingers of both hands, but in so doing, the card has been left in the right palm.

Try this, and it will at once be seen how easily the card stays in palm because of its stiffness. The left hand now holds the envelope up in full view, while the right drops to right trouser pocket where the pencil is grabbed. You now close in on the audience, getting as near as possible. Pick out one person to name a number, which you immediately scribble on the card in your pocket as you look around for someone else who is asked to name a color. The moment it is mentioned you start to write it on the card under the number, but ask the spectator why he chose that particular color, if it is his favorite, etc., in order to create a few seconds stall.

Being close to the spectators makes it more difficult for them to watch anything but your face and the envelope which you are holding out. They have to change their glance over too much space. When writing is done, step back to the front, bringing out the right hand with the palmed card and letting it rest on belt or at front of waist line for a minute as you mention that you wrote something on the sealed card before any person mentioned a number or color.

As you are saying this, bring the envelope down and grasp between two hands as before, but only for a second, then bringing the envelope into the right palm as before, and mention is made that the envelope was initialed for identification. Now take the envelope from right palm as before, but this time the card is kept behind it. Grasp from the top with right thumb and fingers, and with the left hand, tear off the left end of the envelope. Pinch this end with thumb and forefinger of your left hand, and take this new grip with right; thumb at bottom, second and third fingers at the top, and first curled up at the back holding the card against the envelope. Now the left forefinger goes into the envelope while the thumb goes behind, and the card is apparently withdrawn and given to the nearest spectator for reading.

Just remember to keep talking when first putting the card into the envelope, and speak about “sealing the envelope” rather than talking about putting the card inside. They’ll take that as natural. All moves are done casually and they work smoothly once in your mind. Try it before the mirror, and once you have confidence, you’ll just go ahead and do it without a thought.