_Preparation._ Card mat loaded with two cards of different denomination,
say the queen of clubs and the knave of diamonds, _taken from the pack_.
Flower-pots on table.
_Presentation._ Force the corresponding cards of same colour (in this
case the queen of spades and the knave of hearts), lay the pack aside,
and take the drawn cards back face down on the mat, leaving them thus on
table till needed. The patter may run as follows:
“As I think I have mentioned before, the cards of a pack, from long
association, become a sort of family. They have their likes and dislikes,
just as human beings have. In particular, there is a curious bond of
sympathy between each pair of the same colour, say the king of hearts
and the king of diamonds, or the ten of clubs and ten of spades. If they
are parted, and they possibly can, they will get together again.
“I will try to give you an example with the cards that have been drawn.
We will put them for the moment in this pretty flower-pot, which, as
you see, is quite empty.” (Show by lifting it up, that it is so, and
then drop the two cards from the mat into it, the concealed pair going
with them.) “They will only require to be assisted by a gentle electric
current, which I shall create by waving my wand, so.
“Before we go any further, will the ladies who drew the cards say what
they were,--I don’t mind asking you now, because they have passed out
of my control. The queen of spades and the knave of hearts, you say? A
fortunate choice, for the queen of spades and the knave of hearts happen
to be particular friends, so I think we may now be sure of success. Now
to establish the wireless wave, and I doubt not the queen of clubs and
the knave of diamonds will speedily find them. (Make any appropriate
gesture with wand.)
“Did you notice a little flash, like the striking of a very inferior
lucifer match in a gale of wind? That’s when they went. Quick work, isn’t
it? The cards were timed by two gentlemen one evening, each with his
own watch. By the one gentleman’s watch they started at one minute past
nine, and by the other gentleman’s watch, they arrived at one minute
_to_ nine, so it is clear that they must have made the journey in two
minutes less than no time. But let us make sure that they have arrived.”
Lift the flower-pot, and show the four cards lying on the table together.
“And now, to convince you that there is no deception, will some lady or
gentleman kindly look through the pack, and make sure that the queen of
clubs and knave of diamonds have really left it.” Which is found to be
the case.
The trick may of course be worked with any two pairs of cards, the mat
being loaded and the corresponding cards forced accordingly.