A Card In Flight

Passing through Waverly, this summer, Mr Hummer, of Binghamton, N. Y., gave me this excellent subterfuge for the disappearance of a card, together with an astonishing idea for the reappearance. Having noted a card in the deck, the spectator sees the performer openly drop the deck into a borrowed hat or receptacle. Asking the person the number of spots on the noted card, the performer reaches into the hat and pretends to take out that number of spots and flip them away. The spectator is now asked to remove the deck and see if the card is there, but it has vanished! It can be found wherever desired, but Mr Hummer has done it in homes, and having them raise the window curtain, the card is seen to be sticking to the outside of the window looking in!

Here is the simplest secret. If in a home where it is possible, steal two cards from the owner’s own deck; the two of spades and the two of clubs. Excusing yourself at some opportune moment, plant the two of spades for the climax and fake the club card by sticking to it with saliva, two small triangles of black paper. These pieces, over the club pips, turn them into spade spots. Add this card to the deck upon your return and force it any way you please but don’t let the spectator look at it himself. Take it from him and step back, holding the card so all but you can see the face. This little distance prevents a close inspection, but at three feet the card is certainly a spade. Drop the card on the deck and give it an overhand shuffle which leaves it on the bottom. Drop the deck into the hat face up and ask the number of spots. Reach in, and taking one piece of paper, roll it into a pin head ball between your fingers and flick it away over your shoulder. Do the same again, and then once more for the card itself. Tip the deck out onto the table face down and have the card looked for by the selector. It has gone and you are ready for the finish. I have used it once and for those who may be able to do the same thing I’ll give it. Being in the house of a friend to where I was going again later that evening, I did a couple of offhand card stunts and stole the two of spades. Arriving after dark, I stepped up onto the porch and on the outside of the drawing room window and stuck the card face in between the upper and lower frames. I use jet black paper taken from newspaper ads and type because when moistened, it sticks better and also while damp can be fingered into a very small and minute pellet.