Spread six cards before a member of the company and ask him to think of
one. Place these cards at the bottom of the pack and give the latter a
"false shuffle," i.e. shuffle them in such a manner that the bottom
cards are not disturbed. Then take the four top cards, and spreading
them on the table, faces upward, ask your friend if his card is among
them. Of course, he will say "No." While he is looking at the cards on
the table "slip" (_Hercat's Card Tricks_, p. 10) one of the bottom cards
to the top of the pack. To do this moisten the tips of the two middle
fingers of the left hand, and holding the pack in that hand with the
moistened fingers against the face of the bottom card, with the thumb
and two middle fingers of the right hand raise the rest of the cards
slightly and the card adhering to the moistened fingers will be carried
to the top of the pack. Again spread the four top cards on the table and
repeat the enquiry. If he says "No," repeat the former process until he
says, "Yes, my card is in that lot." You, of course, know it is the card
you "slipped" from the bottom of the pack. You then tell him to gather
up all the cards and shuffle them thoroughly; then place the pack on the
table, put his hand over it and look you steadily in the eye. You place
your hand over his and say, "I can read your thoughts, you took the
----," naming his card. This is an easy trick to perform and causes
great amazement.