he
corner containing the halfpenny, place it in the centre and grasp it
through the handkerchief with your left hand, while you let the marked
shilling drop in the palm of your right. Ask a member of the company to
hold the shilling (the halfpenny in the centre) in the handkerchief a
few inches above the table. Then pick up an empty glass with your right
hand, hold it under the table, and request the person who holds the
handkerchief to let it fall on the table. The coin in the handkerchief
will be heard to strike the latter and at the same time you drop the
shilling from the palm of your right hand into the glass and place the
latter on the table, while with your left hand you pick up the
handkerchief and shake it, being careful not to allow the halfpenny to
strike the table again while you are doing so. Request the person who
lent the shilling to take it out of the glass and say if it is the one
bearing his private mark.

ANOTHER SIMPLE TRICK

Here is another simple trick with a sixpence. Put a small piece of wax
on it, and place it, the waxed side uppermost, in the centre of a
handkerchief. Then put one of the lower corners of the handkerchief over
the coin and ask some one to put his finger on it and press it. Then
move the second lower corner of the handkerchief over the other corner,
telling your assistant to move his finger while you do so. Next cover
the two lower corners with the two upper corners of the handkerchief in
the same manner, and ask your assistant if he is sure the sixpence is
still there. Of course he will say yes; he can feel it. Then tell him to
raise his finger. When he does so, take the two upper corners in your
hands, and raise the handkerchief, when the coin will appear to have
vanished. Of course, it is sticking to the lower corner of the
handkerchief.

A COIN TO DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR CHEEK AND REAPPEAR AT YOUR ELBOW

While sitting at the table turn up your right sleeve, and, taking a
half-crown or penny, rub it against your cheek, and then, as if by
accident, drop it on the table. Pick up the coin and repeat the process,
this time resting your elbow on the table, as you explain, to steady it.
Move your hand from your cheek, and the coin has disappeared, and with
your left hand produce it from your elbow. Then say, "I will reverse the
experiment and send the coin back." Place your empty hand against your
face and your left hand containing the coin under your elbow. After
rubbing your