ft hand so that the thumb can pass readily down the cards at the
upper corner. Now pass the thumb of the right hand down the cards so as
to ruffle them. You will find that the thumb is automatically stopped at
the double card. By requesting a spectator to take the card immediately
above the break in the pack, you can then proceed with any trick in
which a forced card is necessary. Numerous other uses for the double
card will readily occur to my readers from the hint given.

A SIMPLE BUT PUZZLING CARD TRICK

Place the pack face down on the table and cover it with a serviette.
Then request a member of the company to put his hand under the serviette
and take a card at random; to be careful not to let you see it but show
it to the company and then return it to the pack and to square the pack
through the serviette after the card has been replaced. You then lift up
the side of the serviette nearest to you and at once produce the card.

EXPLANATION.--When the company are looking at the card slip your hand
under the serviette and turn the pack over, and, of course, you can at
once detect the "faced" card when it is replaced. On withdrawing it with
your right hand turn the pack over with your left and lift off the
serviette.

SIMPLE COIN TRICKS

HOW TO DETECT A MARKED COIN

Place ten coins--say shillings--in any empty finger-bowl and request a
member of the company to select one, put a private mark on it, and then
holding it in his closed hand, to close his eyes and think of the
appearance of the coin very hard. In about a minute pick up the bowl,
and going to him, request him to open his eyes; gaze in them, and then
make a few mesmeric passes over his face. Then request him to drop the
coin he holds in the bowl and to mix it up thoroughly with the other
nine shillings. Now ask some one to blindfold you; when this is done
place your hand in the bowl, and picking up the shillings one at a time,
you can at once detect his, which you throw across the table to him for
confirmation. The secret is that the coin held in the person's hand has
obtained a certain degree of warmth and can at once be detected in
consequence.

A PENETRATIVE SHILLING

Sew a halfpenny in the corner of your handkerchief and place the latter
in your pocket ready for the trick. Borrow a shilling and request the
lender to put a private mark on it. Take out your handkerchief and
pretend to place the shilling under it, instead of which pick up t