Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

With this or some similar introduction, the performer proceeds to exhibit PASS I. HAVING PLACED A BALL UNDER EACH CUP, TO DRAW IT OUT AGAIN WITHOUT LIFTING THE CUP.--Having produced a ball from the wand as last described, and having laid it on the table, the operator continues,--“Allow me to show you once more that all the cups are empty” (he raises them one by one, and replaces them), “and that I have nothing in either of my hands. I take this little ball” (he picks it up with the right hand, and apparently transfers it to the left, really palming it in the right), “and place it under one of the cups.” Here he raises the cup with the right hand, and simulates the action of placing the ball under it with the left. “I draw another ball from my wand” (this is really the same ball, which remained palmed in the right hand), “and place it in like manner under the second cup.” He goes through the motion of transferring it to the left hand and thence to the cup, as before, but this time actually does what on the former occasion he only pretended to do, and leaves the ball under the middle cup. “I produce another ball”--(he half draws the wand through his fingers, but checks himself half-way). “I think I heard some one assert that I have a ball already in my hand. Pray satisfy yourselves” (showing the palms of his hands, the fingers carelessly apart) “that such is not the case.