Screw three cigarette papers up into pellets and cover each of them with
a folded serviette. Then lift the serviette on your right with your left
hand (to show that the pellet is still there) and transfer it to your
right, holding it with your thumb on top and fingers underneath, and
re-cover the pellet. As you do this nip the pellet between the tips of
your first and second fingers in such a way that it does not show in
front of them as you withdraw your hand palm upwards. Then raise the
centre serviette with your left hand, transfer it to your right, as
before, and re-cover the pellet, and as you do so, drop the pellet
concealed between your fingers under it. Then raise the third serviette
with your left hand, transfer it to your right, re-cover the pellet,
and, in doing so, nip the latter between your fingers, as you did the
first one. Then say: "There are three pellets on the table covered by
serviettes. I command the one here (pointing to the one on your left) to
travel invisibly to the centre serviette." Turn the serviette over, and
show the pellet has gone. Then lift the centre serviette with your left
hand, and show the two pellets under it. Transfer it to your right hand,
and, in replacing it, drop the concealed pellet. Then say: "We have now
two pellets under the centre serviette, and one under this one"
(pointing to the one on your left). "I command this one to join its
fellows." Lift the serviette as you speak, and show the pellet has gone;
lift up the centre serviette, and the three pellets will be found
together.