First of all, the four aces are taken out, and the nine of spades, (the disappointment card); then, supposing the dealer is acting for a fair man, or a soldier, who is anxious to know whether he will get his wish. We will imagine he has invested a sum of money, and he wishes to know whether it is a good one; or that he hopes for a legacy and is anxious to know if he will get it. The king of diamonds (representing the fair man), and the ten of diamonds, the money card, should therefore be taken out. These are added to the four aces and the nine of spades. These are well shuffled, but not cut, and laid face downwards on the table, like the following:-- +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ | _Ace_ | | _Ace_ | | _Fair man_ | | _Clubs_ | | _Hearts_ | | _inquirer_ | +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ | _Ace_ | | _Nine_ | | _Ace_ | | _Diam._ | | _Spades_ | | _Spades_ | +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ | _Ten_ | | _Diam._ | +------------+ These represent the four aces, the disappointment card and the inquirer and his wish. The remaining cards are now taken and turned up three at a time. We will suppose the first three are the nine, seven and eight of clubs; the next three the ten and jack of hearts, and eight of diamonds; and the seventh card, the queen of clubs--these are passed by. Begin again, counting one. We will suppose the next three are the eight of spades, the seven of clubs and the nine of hearts. Three are then counted from those laid face downwards on the table, and that card is turned up--we will suppose that to be the king of diamonds; the cards turned up by threes are gathered together and shuffled, and turned up by sevens as before. Should the nine of hearts fall on the fourth card the second time, that is to be turned up--we will suppose that to be the ace of diamonds. Proceed again as before, and this time we will imagine the nine of hearts to fall on the seventh--this may be the ten of diamonds--so that it could be said to the persons consulting that it is said he will get his wish; but supposing the nine of hearts to fall on the fifth card, and that turns out to be the nine of spades, he will be disappointed; and should it happen that _in the first reading_ the nine of hearts should come on, we will say, the first card, which might prove the nine of spades, then it is no use continuing the three times, as it is supposed there is no chance whatever of the wish being realized. WISH NO. VI.