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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
495
THE
CONE,
OR
SKITTLE.
(La
quille).--This
is
a
block
of
polished
boxwood,
of
the
shape
shown
in
Fig.
195,
with
a
thin
shell
of
the
same
material
exactly
covering
it,
and
so
closely
resembling
it
in
appearance,
that
the
solid
block
and
the
hollow
shell,
seen
apart,
cannot
be
distinguished
the
one
from
the
other.
The
cone
is
made
in
various
sizes,
from
three
inches
in
height
by
one
and
a
half
at
the
base,
to
seven
inches
in
height
by
three
at
the
base.
It
is
worked
with
a
paper
cover,
consisting
of
an
open
tube
of
cartridge
paper
about
double
the
height
of
the
cone,
and
tapering
in
such
manner
that
its
larger
end
shall
fit
loosely
over
the
cone.
The
performer
brings
forward
this
paper
tube
in
his
right
hand,
and
the
cone
(with
the
hollow
shell
upon
it)
in
his
left,
taking
care
to
hold
his
fingers
beneath
it
in
such
manner
that
the
solid
cone
cannot
fall
out.
He
first
calls
attention
to
the
paper
tube,
which
the
audience
are
allowed
to
examine
at
pleasure.
When
it
is
returned
to
him,
he
says,
“You
are
now
quite
satisfied
that
there
is
no
preparation
about
this
tube,
which
is,
in
fact,
simply
a
cover
for
this
block
of
wood.”
As
if
merely
suiting
the
action
to
the
word,
he
covers
the
block
with
the
tube,
immediately
removing
it
again,
and
carelessly
laying
the
cover
on
the
table.
In
removing
it,
however,
he
grasps
it
with
a
gentle
pressure,
and
so
takes
off
with
it
the
hollow
shell
(see
Fig.
196),
of
whose
existence
the
audience
have
no
suspicion.
He
continues,
“Perhaps
you
would
also
like
to
examine
the
block,
which
you
will
find
to
be
a
plain,
solid
piece
of
wood,
without
mechanism
or
preparation
of
any
kind.”
The
block
having
been
duly
examined,
the
supposed
empty
cover
is
placed
upright
upon
the
table;
and
the
solid
block
having
been
disposed
of
by
any
means
in
the
performer’s
power,
is
ordered
to
pass
invisibly
under
the
cover,
which
being
raised,
the
hollow
shell
is
seen,
appearing
to
the
eye
of
the
audience
to
be
the
block
itself,
and
to
have
found
its
way
there
in
obedience
to
the
performer’s
command.
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