The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: Real Life
Science
The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: Real Life
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction; Parapsychology
Now, while the manager delivered the lengthy lecture, the medium
quietly tilted over the hat of envelopes behind the objects on the
table; and then taking one at a time, opened the envelopes and
removed the cards, arranging the cards on top of each other like a
pack of playing cards. The lecture lasted long enough for the
medium to complete this task; and as he held the cards in his left
hand, he could now move slightly to the right so that he was pretty
well in view of the spectators. However, his left hand did not
come into view.
By the time the lecture was completed, the spectators had entirely
forgotten the fact that the manager ever received the hat from the
boy at all. In fact, next day I noticed from the talk of the
spectators, that they invariably asserted that the hat never left
the boy's hands or their sight.
Now, while the manager held each envelope aloft, the medium had but
to read the top card in his left hand and give the tests in a
dramatic manner. After the tests, when the tables were set to one
side and a cabinet erected, an assistant out of view received the
cards from the medium's left hand; and then while behind the
scenes, replaced them in envelopes, sealed them, and then exchanged
these for the "dummy" envelopes on the small table. After the
entertainment the manager placed the originals (now again sealed)
near the front of the stage for the writers to take and keep as
souvenirs if they should so desire.
It is evident that this method could be varied a little. For
instance, when the manager holds the envelope aloft, the medium
could first read it and carefully describe the writing. He could
then ask for the envelope, so as to become en rapport with the
writer, in order that he may give the correct answer. In this case
he could leave the surplus cards on the back of the table behind
the music box, and have in his left palm only the single card he is
reading. When he receives the envelope he should place it in his
left hand directly over the card and tear off the end of the
envelope. He should then apparently take out the card from the
envelope, but in reality take the original card from the rear of
the envelope with his right hand. He should then with his right
hand press this card on top of his head and give the answer, while
his left hand lays the opened envelope on the table or music box.
In this case, as soon as he answers the question, he should return
the card to the manager with his right hand and ask the manager to
have some boy run with it to its writer. After it is returned to
its writer, the manager can hold aloft another envelope and the
medium continue with the tests. After the tests, the manager
should remove the torn envelopes, as they contain "dummy" cards.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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