pages: latestmagicbeing00hoff.pdf, 191
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latestmagicbeing00hoff.pdf | 191 | THE MYSTERY OF THE THREE SEALS 175 in the other hand: "I have here two envelopes, or, to be exact, six envelopes, for each of those you see contains two more, one within the other: all carefully sealed. I am going to pass the coin this gentleman has lent me into the innermost of one or other of them, I don't care which, for they are exactly alike, so I shall leave the choice to your- selves." While you are speaking as above the disengaged hand slips the genuine coin into the trick envelope, closes it, pressing the flap well down, and palms it, dropping it a moment or two later into a pochette till needed. "You decide for this envelope? Just as you please. As the other will not be needed I will ask somebody to open it, and bear witness that things are exactly as I have stated." Leaving the chosen envelope on the table in full view and bringing forward the other, have the lat- ter opened by some member of the company with the penknife. Hand the envelope produced from it, with the knife, to a second spectator, to be dealt with in like manner. When the innermost is reached, have this opened by the lender of the marked coin : this apparent proof of good faith tending to make him less critical when, at a later stage, he is invited to do the same with the trick envelope. "Nothing could be fairer, could it ? You will all agree that it would have been impossible to intro- |