This is a trick involving some little trouble in the way of preparation,
and perhaps a little more than average address on the part of the
performer, but on the other hand it costs little; for all the needful
appliances may be homemade, and in the hands of an expert the trick will
amply repay the time and trouble expended upon it. Baldly stated, its
effect consists in the magical introduction of a marked coin into the
innermost of a nest of three envelopes, each securely sealed.
[Illustration: FIG. 36]
The requirements for the trick are as under:
1. Two nests of envelopes. The innermost of each is one of the little
square kind used in shops to contain copper “change,” or to hold the
weekly wage of an employee. It should be of cartridge or stout manila
paper, and about two inches square. The next larger is of the ordinary
square or so-called square-note size, and the third a little larger
still. Envelopes of the two last mentioned sizes are not always to be
obtained made of cartridge or manila, but this condition is not in their
case absolutely essential. The flap of each envelope must be stuck down
and sealed with red wax.[18]
2. A special envelope, which we will call the “trick” envelope. This
is of the same size and kind as the innermost of the nested envelopes
but has undergone special preparation as follows: Taking two ordinary
envelopes, cut round the edges of one of them with a penknife, completely
dividing back from front. Take the plain or non-flap side of the one
so treated, lay it squarely under the flap of the other, and stick the
flap down upon it in the ordinary way: then add a seal of red wax, as
closely as possible corresponding in appearance with the two seals of the
innermost of the nested envelopes. Lastly, cut away the superfluous paper
round the seal and the edges of the flap. The envelope will now be shown
as in Fig. 36, and when closed will have the appearance of an envelope
sealed in the ordinary way, though it as yet lacks the connecting medium
for actually securing it.
3. The “coin mat” (page 4) freshly treated with the usual adhesive. The
side so treated is to be turned downwards on the table with a shilling
pressed against the adhesive portion.