To Fire a Handkerchief into a Gentleman’s Hair.--For the purpose of this trick you will have to make use of what is known as a conjuring pistol, which, being in constant use in magical surprises, I will describe. It consists of an ordinary pistol fitted with a conical tin tube eight inches long. The mouth of this tube is about two inches in diameter, and is supplied with a tin cup one and one-half inches deep, having its outer edge turned over all around so as to afford a ready grip to the palm. The conical tube is fitted with an inner tube to keep it firm on the barrel of the pistol (Fig. 10). [Illustration: Fig. 10] Taking up the pistol, you place the two handkerchiefs, which look like one, in the cup; push them well down and remark: “I shall now fire direct at the gentleman’s head, and after the shot the handkerchief will be found firmly imbedded in his hair, and will, not unlikely, be seen protruding from one of his ears. It just depends on the force of the shot, you know, and I need hardly say I loaded the pistol myself, and am totally ignorant of firearms. Are you ready, sir? Then good-by!” Place the muzzle of the pistol in the left hand while you shake hands with the gentleman. In taking the pistol back into the right hand to fire it, you leave the cup behind in the left hand, and, at the instant you pull the trigger, you drop it into the pocket on the left side. When discharging the pistol you will, of course, stand with your right side to the audience. You now ask the gentleman to take the handkerchief from his hair, telling him that it is just behind his left ear; and, while he is trying to find it, you stand with your hands in your trousers pockets, telling him to make haste, you cannot wait all evening. When he has tried some time and failed to find it, you take your hands from your pockets, having got the false finger into position between the second and third fingers. Showing the hands back and front (the addition of the extra finger will not be noticed), you pass them several times over the head of the gentleman, then, lowering them to his head, you detach the finger and draw out the handkerchief. The false finger is then laid down on the table under cover of the handkerchief. [Illustration: Fig. 11] The finger is made of thin spun brass, painted flesh color. It is quite hollow from tip to root, and is shaped for fitting between the second and third fingers (Fig. 11). It can be used in many tricks, and is really an indispensable accessory to the amateur magician. [Illustration] THE OLD TRUNK The following are the names of the winners of May puzzle contest: Harrie C. Knightly, Randolph, Mass. R. E. Williams, Bloomington, Ill. Leslie W. Quirk, 614 Jefferson St., Madison, Wis. * * * * * Answers to June Puzzles. 1. Diamond, pearl, opal, topaz, ruby, amethyst. 2. O A P T A L T A R O P T I C A L T A C I T R A T L 3. Dewey.