Take any card from two to ten, say the five of hearts, and lay it face
down on the table without permitting any one to see its face. Then
announce your intention of examining a number of the company as to their
knowledge about cards. Ask for a volunteer, and on one consenting to act
tell him to answer your questions rapidly and to make his replies short.
Then put the following questions: "How many cards are there in a full
pack?" Answer, "Fifty-two." "How many suits?" "Four." "What are their
colours?" "Red and Black." "Now name one of those colours." "Red." If he
should say "black," you must say, "You select black so I take red. How
many suits are there in red?" "Two." "What are they?" "Hearts and
Diamonds." "Name one of those suits quickly." "Hearts." If he should
name diamonds say, "Then I take hearts." "How many cards in the suit?"
"Thirteen." "How many between the ace and knave?" "Nine." "How many
below six and how many above six?" "Four below and four above." "Name
either below or above?" "Below." If he says "above," say, "That gives me
those below six. What are the numbers below six?" "Two, three, four, and
five." "Name two of those numbers." "Four and five." If he should say
"two and three," or "three and four" you remark, "That leaves me four
and five. Name one of those numbers." If he says "four," you say, "Which
leaves five. The suit you selected was hearts, and now we have come down
to five. So you have actually selected the five of hearts; and I am sure
you will admit I have not influenced your choice in any way. Please turn
over the card on the table." He does so and, of course, finds it is the
five of hearts.