“Figs. 5 and 6 show another position, the key this time being obtained from the waistcoat. Fig. 7 shows one of the most difficult positions in which it is possible to be placed. The silk handkerchief shown is just peeping from the waistcoat, and is brought out by the aid of the tongue, it being possible to draw out a good silk by licking it. In Fig. 8 the performer has rolled over and obtained a good hold of the handkerchief, which, by a quick jerk of the head, he throws over his back, and eventually gets hold of it with his hands, as shown in Fig. 9. If the key falls to the floor he rolls over and picks it up, the rattle of the handcuffs hiding the sound of the falling key. His next movement is to free his hands from his feet, which he does in the manner already described. The key for this position can also be obtained from the leg of the trousers. [Illustration: FIGS. 5 AND 6—ANOTHER POSITION, THE KEY BEING OBTAINED FROM THE WAISTCOAT.] [Illustration: FIG. 7—ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT POSITIONS. (The performer is drawing out the handkerchief with his tongue.)] [Illustration: FIG. 8—THE HANDKERCHIEF AND KEY DRAWN OUT.] [Illustration: FIG 9—THE HANDKERCHIEF THROWN OVER THE BACK AND THE KEY CAUGHT BY THE HAND.] “Fig. 10 shows the implements of torture and the condition of the performer’s wrists after an exhibition. The special keys {312} are split with a saw about half an inch down, to allow for variation in the sizes of various locks (Fig. 11). It should be understood that an expert, when about to give a performance, inquires what position it is intended to place him in. He then causes, as an introduction, a few pairs of his own handcuffs to be placed on his wrists, and while freeing himself from these in his cabinet he arranges his keys to suit the position in which he will next be placed. Other implements besides keys are also used: a piece of bent wire is often quite sufficient. Most experts are also conjurers, and ‘palm’ the key, especially in the case of a nude test, when they are stripped and locked up in a cell; or they make use of a concealing key, which is made telescopic, the handle being constructed to close down the side of {313} the key, and the whole being fixed under the toes by a piece of shoemaker’s wax and detached when inside the cell. [Illustration: FIG. 10—THE PERFORMER AND HIS IMPLEMENTS. (Showing the Condition of the Wrists after an Exhibition.)] [Illustration: FIG. 11—VARIOUS KINDS OF KEYS]