Page:New hocus pocus.pdf/15

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15

is not heard to rattle; the third time it is again heard, but the fourth time it is gone, and is found in the shoe of one of the company.

The box must be made on purpose, in such a manner that in shaking it gently up and down, the piece within is heard; on the contrary, shaking it hard, horizontally, a little spring, which falls on the piece, prevents it from being heard, which makes you imagine it is not within. He who performs the trick, then touches the box, under pretence of showing how to shake it, and although it is locked, he easily gets out the piece by means of a secret opening, availing himself of that minute to put in a false piece, and to leave the box with the same person, whom he causes to believe that the piece is or is not within, according to the manner the box is shaken; at length, the original piece is found in the shoe of one of the company, either by means of the person being in confederacy, and having a similar piece, or by sending another to slip in on the floor, in this last case, it is found on the floor, and the person fixed on is persuaded that it fell from his shoe as he was taking it off.

Handkerchief Heart.

Cover the metal case of a watch with part of a handkerchief, single only; brings the ends to that side where the glass is, and hold the handkerchief by them there, so as to stretch it tight-