An original method for securing a question or message makes use of a common hat pin. Holding the hat pin in my right hand, I request a spectator to write on a piece of paper, fold it into a small bundle, and stick the paper on the end of the pin. The first illustration is followed here.

There has already been stuck onto pin another duplicate paper roll, which isn’t visible because I am holding the needle between my thumb and first finger in a manner so as to conceal the duplicate.

Now, with the left thumb and forefinger I grasp the needle above the point where the right thumb and first finger hold it, thus covering the paper placed on needle by spectator. The left fingers now turn the needle upside down, whereby my own paper roll becomes visible, and at the same time the original paper becomes concealed between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand.

At this point I ask a member of my audience to grasp the needle by its head and remove it from my hand. By this action, the spectator’s original paper is left in my left hand. Spectator now proceeds to hold the needle and impaled paper in full view of everyone while the writing is secretly read and acted upon according to the effect being presented.

Probably the easiest way for this part of the problem is to drop left hand to the pocket where there is a pad. Open paper against front of pad (it must be larger), take it from pocket and pretend to mark down with pencil apparently received vibrations and impressions. You read the writing and then answer the question, seeming to do so from what you have pretended to scribble on the pad.

The pad is dropped back into pocket just as the answer or reading is being finished, and the spectator’s writing rolled back into a ball. This is pinched between the thumb and finger of the left hand. Step to spectator and grasp the needle with your right forefinger and thumb whereby the duplicate becomes covered for a moment. As you step back and towards the original writer, the left hand apparently pulls the slip of paper off the needle, in reality however, the original palmed in left fingers being shown and dropped into owner’s hand.

This hat pin method of exchange is a perfect illusion throughout, and it can be used for a number of different effects wherein something small which can be pierced is needed to be left in full view for a period of time.