Off Agin, On Agin, Finnegin!

When the student has progressed to the point of making the transposition of the two packets fairly smoothly, the following feat will afford excellent practice:

A spectator shuffles the deck, which is then placed on the magician's left hand. The magician cuts at any point indicated by the spectator, and the spectator removes the top card of the lower packet, notes what it is, and replaces it. By simply tapping the back of the card with the packet he holds, the magician causes the noted card to vanish and the spectator verifies the fact by examining the packet.

The cards are replaced on the magician's left hand and he taps it once more making the missing card reappear.

1. Have a spectator shuffle the pack and then place it face downwards on your left hand.

2. Have him indicate the point he wishes you to cut at, and lift off the cut, taking the cards between your right thumb and middle fingers. Invite him to lift off the top card of the remainder, note it, and replace it.

3. Announce that by merely tapping the back of that card with the other packet you will make it vanish. Strike downwards with your right hand, so that the packet it holds will hit the top card of the left- hand packet near the edge of its right-hand side, and count "One!"

4. Repeat the blow, but this time press the tips of the left fingers against the top card of the packet in the right hand and backslip the card on to the lower packet as the right hand moves smartly upwards. Thus the backslipped card is instantly and imperceptibly folded on to the back of the top card of the lower packet, the noted

card. Count "Two!" and rapidly repeat the blow with your right hand, counting "Three! Off agin, Finnegin!"

5. "Would you believe it," you say, "your Finnegin card has vanished. Look!" The spectator removes the card on the top of your left-hand packet; the moment his eyes travel to its face, make the pass , but retain your grip of the lower packet with your right thumb and forefinger and carry it away, leaving the original top half of the deck lying on your left hand. All eyes will be on the card the spectator removes, and by the time they are looking at your hands you have the chosen card snugly on top of the packet in your right hand.

6. "Your Finnegin card has vanished completely, as you can see." Holding the packet upright, spread the top cards with your left thumb; or you may allow the spectator to take the packet and run through the cards.

7. Square the packet on your left hand as before. Repeat exactly the same actions as in steps Nos. 3 and 4, counting and saying, "On agin, Finnegin!" Have the card named and have the spectator turn it face upwards himself.

Note that, when a spectator removes the added card, your hands should be close together, but, immediately the pass is made, move the right hand away a foot or more.