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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
468
At
this
point
we
hasten
to
anticipate
an
objection
which
will
probably
occur
to
the
reader.
We
have
said
that
the
audience,
when
called
upon
to
choose
one
of
the
three
cones,
almost
always
select
the
middle
one,
and
we
have
proceeded
on
the
assumption
that
they
do
so.
“But
suppose,”
says
the
acute
reader,
“that
they
don’t
choose
the
middle
one,
but
select
one
of
the
end
ones;
the
trick
is
spoilt,
as
neither
of
the
others
will
produce
the
rice.”
By
no
means,
O
acute
reader!
If
we
had
requested
the
audience
to
choose
which
of
the
cones
should
be
placed
upon
the
hat,
there
might
have
been
a
little
difficulty,
no
doubt;
but
we
did
nothing
of
the
kind.
We
merely
asked
them
to
choose
one
of
the
cones.
If
their
first
choice
falls
on
one
of
the
end
ones,
we
hand
it
round
for
examination,
and
finally
place
it
over
the
orange.
Then,
standing
behind
the
table,
we
ask
the
audience
to
make
their
choice
between
the
two
remaining
cones,
right
or
left.
Whichever
is
chosen,
we
are
safe;
for
as
we
have
already
had
occasion
to
explain
in
connection
with
the
trick
of
the
half-crown
in
the
orange
(see
page
171),
the
right
of
the
audience
is
our
left,
and
vice
versâ,
so
that
by
taking
their
reply
in
the
sense
which
suits
our
purpose
we
are
certain
to
be
right.
We
therefore,
in
any
case,
take
the
cone
containing
the
rice
as
being
the
one
designated,
and
place
this
on
the
hat,
sending
round
the
other
for
inspection.
As
the
audience
have,
to
all
appearance,
been
allowed
perfect
freedom
of
choice,
and
have
actually
examined
two
out
of
the
three
cones,
they
are
very
unlikely
to
suspect
any
preparation
about
the
remaining
one.
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