being held preferably in the right
hand.)

E. Pretend to wrap up the borrowed ring in the handkerchief,
in reality wrapping up the corner ring, and secrete the
borrowed ring in the right hand.

F. Take the stick from A and B and tap the folded ring with
it, now being held by C. While doing so, slip the borrowed
ring into the middle of the stick. G. Hand the stick back
to A and B but keep the hand on the stick over the ring.

H. Get C to cover this hand with the handkerchief, holding
the ring over the middle of the stick and instruct him to
let go on the word "three."

A neat little trick that can be performed by anybody who takes the
trouble to practice it a couple of times.

CHAPTER IV

THE GLASS BOX

_The Glass Box and Ball._

The next trick presented to us is usually the glass box and woollen
ball. The performer takes a very badly constructed glass box through
which one can see in any direction. He covers this with a handkerchief
and places it on the ground. Having played his "bean" for some moments
he takes up the box. There is a loud click, and snatching away the
handkerchief the Jadoo-wallah shows the box filled with a variegated
cloth ball. He opens the lid, takes the ball out, and after casually
showing it to the audience thrusts it into his bag. He is inordinately
proud of this effort, as he assures one that it is from "Bilayat"
(England), a slander that is at once discountenanced by a glimpse at
the box, obviously made by the most indifferent "teen banane wallah"
(tinsmith) that ever had the impertinence to undertake to make
anything.

[Illustration]

The construction of the box is shewn in the diagram below. Its sides
are of glass but the top and bottom are of tin. Before presenting the
trick a cloth ball, made of a spiral spring covered with cloth,
(triangular pieces of different colours sewn together), is compressed
and placed between the bottom of the box and a glass flap which is
pressed down over it until caught by a pin at the back of the box.
When the ball is to appear, this pin is pressed and the catch releases
the glass flap. The spring in the ball forces it up against one of the
sides while the ball fills the box and holds the flap up.

[Illustration]

It is a most futile trick with little effect and usually uncommonly
badly shewn. But the man of mystery himself is delighted with it and
thinks it is the best trick in hi