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which time the blindfolded medium in the rear gave the test。
There was a simple little move that escaped the eyes of the
spectators in this instance。 The spectators did not know what was
to happen； neither did the boy。 The move was executed as follows：
Just as the boy came on the stage with the hat the manager received
the hat in his right hand and in a natural manner。 Nothing was
thought of this； as there was nothing suspicious in the act。
Meanwhile the manager directed the boy to take a chair that sat to
the left of the front of the stage； and to place it to the right
side in front； facing the audience； and to take his seat thereon。
Now； this conversation with the boy naturally occupied the
attention of the spectators； and while the boy was executing the
directions the manager turned to the table； which was somewhat back
on the stage； and apparently took a large handkerchief from it； and
with the hat still apparently in his hand； he stepped to the boy；
giving him the hat of envelopes and the handkerchief； at the same
time instructing him how to cover the hat； and how to deliver the
envelopes one at a time。 All of this maneuvering seemed so natural
that the audience thought nothing whatever of it。
Now； as the manager turned to the table to get the handkerchief；
and while most eyes were on the boy as he placed his chair and took
his seat； the manager deftly exchanged the hat in his right hand
for another hat just like it； that was filled with 〃dummy〃
envelopes and which was behind the flowers； music box； etc。； on the
table。 As he immediately turned with the hat apparently still in
his hand； but with a large handkerchief in his other hand；
everything seemed natural and the audience thought nothing of the
incident。
The manager now； after giving the boy the hat and handkerchief；
invited a committee to come forward and blindfold the medium who
had been seated at the left of the stage。 The committee first
placed a lady's glove on the eyes of the medium as an additional
precaution； and then placed a handkerchief over this and tied it
behind his head。 This method of blindfolding is the one usually
employed by most mediums。 If the face of the medium be properly
formed； he can easily shift such a bandage with his eyebrows；
sufficiently to see directly under his eyes； by looking down
alongside his nose。 The committee now retired to the audience； and
the performer led the medium to a seat behind the table。
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。
I will now explain the method pursued on the second evening。 After
the questions were written and sealed； the manager went among the
spectators collecting the envelopes in a cloth bag。 He first
numbered the envelopes； at the same time instructing each spectator
to remember his number； after which the envelopes were dropped into
the bag。 When all the envelopes were collected； the manager lifted
the bag in the tips of his fingers and ascended to the stage with
it in plain view。 He quickly attached it to the cord and drew it
up to the ceiling。 So far all was fair； but just at this moment a
person in the rear of the hall made the statement that he desired
to place his envelope in the bag also。 The performer asked a
gentleman on the floor to take the bag； which he now lowered and
detached； and to kindly go to the gentleman and get his envelope。
While he was doing this the manager held the audience by his
discourse。 The two gentlemen were； of course； paid confederates；
and when they met behind the spectators； they merely exchanged the
first bag for a duplicate under the coat of the rear confederate；
who then slipped around behind the stage with the original。
When the other confederate returned to the stage with the duplicate
bag and handed it to the manager he ran this one up to the ceiling。
This method can be varied by the manager making the exchange under
his own coat in the first place when in the rear of the hall after
collecting the envelopes。
Meanwhile an assistant behind the scenes opened and copied the
questions neatly on a sheet of paper； and NUMBERED EACH ONE。 As he
did this he slipped each one into a duplicate envelope； which was
also numbered by the manager with a ring drawn around the figure。
This he sealed。 As soon as all were copied this assistant
carefully drew the medium's Bible just out of sight from the table
near the flies where it rested； inserted the sheet containing the
copied questions； and pushed it back into view again。
During this time the medium was walking slowly about at the front
of the stage while the manager delivered his lecture。 At the close
of the lecture the medium stepped back to the table where he had
laid his Bible a short time before； picked it up and came forward
taking a seat facing the audience。 He next opened the Bible and
turned the leaves over slowly； passing the sheet of paper and
reading and memorizing the first question quickly。 He then turned
the leaves beyond this sheet of paper and finally selected a verse
and began reading it impressively。 As he read this verse he
allowed the Bible to tilt forward sufficiently for the spectators
to see that there was nothing like a loose sheet in it； should such
an idea occur to anyone。
As he had turned over other pages after secretly reading the
question； the sheet was hidden from view。 After reading the verse
he allowed the Bible to close； and then closing his eyes gave the
test for number one。 After this he again opened the Bible and
turned the leaves through it slowly； read the second question
secretly； and finally found a second verse； which he proceeded to
read in a solemn tone； he then gave a second test； and so continued
until all the tests were given。 He then lay down very much
exhausted； and the manager lowered the cloth bag containing the
dummy envelopes； and emptied them upon a small table near the front
of the stage。 He then stepped to the rear of the stage and picked
up a little wicker basket； into which he scooped the dummy
envelopes from the small table where they lay in full view。 He now
descended and rapidly returned the unopened envelopes to their
respective