clear up any misunderstanding that may be left after reading my
explanation. If there is still any uncertainty, for a few annas or
pence, any itinerant conjuror will show the sleight, and ten minutes
practice ought to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion.

This may be a fitting opportunity to disabuse the minds of some about
the amount of practice undertaken by a really first-class performer. I
consider that a man who is an expert needs no practice at all.
Sleight-of-hand to him is just as innate as hitting any shaped ball
with any shaped stick, is to a man with an eye for games. The artists
who drew these illustrations, draw anything instinctively. Years of
practice will never make the faces of a pretty girl that I draw look
less like an amphibious cow. But I have frequently given performances
of two hour's duration without any previous practice whatever, beyond
a quick rehearsal to see that all the various properties are in their
correct places, ready at hand when wanted. I do not want the person
who wishes to do a few tricks like the cups and balls, and those which
I will describe later, to be discouraged under the impression that not
being a born conjuror it will be useless for him to attempt small
tricks without constant and monotonous practice. A little attention
and trouble will make him "hot stuff" with the cups and balls and will
lead him on to higher things.

CHAPTER III

THE BAMBOO-STICKS

We have now the second trick that is usually shewn by the
Jadoo-wallah, that of the bamboo sticks, essentially one of purely
Indian origin.

The performer takes two small bamboo sticks which have threaded
through them a piece of string at each end of which is a bead. He
holds these sticks together and when he pulls one bead the other is
naturally drawn into its stick. He now takes a knife and passes it
between the sticks ostensibly cutting the string between them. He
again pulls one bead and wonderful to relate the other bead is still
drawn in towards its stick, as before. He now separates the sticks
and holds them in the shape of a "V," and one can see that there is no
string between the sticks. Still the same thing happens. When he pulls
one bead the other is drawn into its stick.

[Illustration: Sticks held together till the knife is passed between
them]

[Illustration: Held in "V" position]

This little trick is usually sold as one of a box of tricks for
children at any of the toy shops in Engla