DEMONSTRATION V. This is a very effective feat, and requires some little
skill and practice, but there is no reason why any careful, patient, and
persistent student should not be able to master it. It consists in the
audience selecting any given card from the pack, and then replacing it
with the others, being sure that the Transmitter is familiar with the
card chosen, and knows enough about cards to recognize it when he sees
it again. Then the pack of cards should be placed on the table, face up.
Returning to the room, you take the Transmitter's hand as usual, and
with your right hand pick off the cards from the pack, slowly and one by
one. As you pick up each card, slowly _weigh_ it in your hand, so to
speak, and then place it aside if you receive no "stop" orders from the
mind of the Transmitter. Having previously practiced this feat in
private you will have learned that peculiar "heavier" sensation that
comes to you when you lift the right card from the pack, so that when
you finally reach it you will know it. We cannot describe just what this
sensation will feel like--you must learn it by actually experiencing it
in private practice. We advise you to diligently practice this feat in
private, for it is wonderfully effective. You will find that after a
bit of practice you will be able to get the "heavy" feeling when you
lift up and "weigh" the right card. You should perform this feat slowly,
and carefully, shaking your head, "No," just before you discard a card.
If by the lack of concentration of the Transmitter, you fail to feel the
"heavy" feeling when you pick up the right card, the shake of the head
will be apt to arouse him to exert his _Will_ more actively, and you
will receive the "hold on" impulse immediately. Do not be in too much of
a hurry to discard, but make several feints at it before finally letting
go. This feat may be improved by having the audience select a
"poker-hand," such as a "flush," a "straight," "three-of-a-kind"; a
"full-house," etc., etc., and having you find the hand one card at a
time. This latter is a fine effect, and always brings down the house.
But be sure that your Transmitter really knows and remembers the cards,
else the feat will fail, of course. He must remember each card, and
recognize it when it appears face up on the pack before you, as you
proceed with the discarding. Never attempt this feat in public without
previous careful, private, practice, for it requires the most delicate
perception and skill. If you find that you cannot master it to your
satisfaction, after sufficient practice, you may try it by the "Simpler
Method" given at the conclusion of this Lesson.