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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
100
So
far,
the
trick
is
ingenious
rather
than
astonishing,
although,
the
arrangement
of
the
cards
having
reference
only
to
the
suits,
and
not
to
individual
cards,
the
cards
do
not
at
first
sight
appear
to
be
specially
arranged;
and
if
you
are
rapid
and
apparently
careless
in
placing
them,
the
spectators
will
in
all
probability
believe
that
they
are
placed
hap-hazard.
If
you
can
induce
this
belief,
you
will
greatly
heighten
their
surprise
at
finding
the
different
suits
regularly
sorted
after
the
deal.
But
the
trick
is
not
yet
finished.
You
again
place
the
cards
as
before,
remarking
that
the
trick
is
simplicity
itself
when
once
the
principle
is
known,
and
on
this
occasion
you
draw
special
attention
to
the
necessary
arrangement
of
the
cards.
Having
completed
the
trick
for
the
second
time,
you
invite
some
of
the
audience
to
try
their
hands,
which
they
do,
and
of
course
succeed,
there
being
really
no
difficulty
in
the
matter.
When
one
or
two
have
tried
and
succeeded,
they
will
probably
disparage
the
trick,
as
being
absurdly
easy.
“Pardon
me,”
you
say,
“you
have
succeeded
so
far,
because
it
was
my
will
and
pleasure
that
you
should
do
so.
You
seem
incredulous,
but
I
am
perfectly
serious.
To
prove
that
I
am
so,
I
give
you
warning
that
the
next
person
who
attempts
the
trick
will
fail.
Come,
who
accepts
the
challenge?”
Some
one
is
sure
to
respond,
and
in
all
probability
to
offer
you
a
bet
that
he
will
succeed.
“Sir,”
you
reply,
“I
never
bet
on
certainties,
or
your
money
would
be
already
lost.
I
have
said
that
you
shall
fail,
and
you
cannot,
therefore,
possibly
succeed.”
You
have,
meanwhile,
secretly
palmed
the
four
cards
which
you
pocketed
before
beginning
the
trick,
and
have
watched
your
opportunity
to
replace
them
on
the
table
with
the
rest
of
the
pack.
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