,illu/ration3                           
,,indian ,,conjur+                      
,,by                       ,,major ,l4  
,h4 ,,branson ,m4,i4,m4,c4              
,indian ,army                           
,) #h ,illu/rations                     
,,london                       ,,george 
,,r\tl$ge  ,,sons ,,ltd4                
,,new ,,york3 ,e4 ,p4 ,,dutton  ,,co4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,i d$icate ?is small volume to          
,,my ,,wife       :o has always be5 my  
be/ audi5ce & my ke5e/ critic      at ! 
innum]able sleight-(-h& p]=mances t ,i h
      _h ! pleasure ( giv+ 9 h] pres5ce4
         99       99       99       99  
99          ,portions ( ?is book 7      
publi%$ by ! ,,times ,,( ,,india1       
,,illu/rat$ ,,weekly1 by ^: k9d         
p]mission !y are      repr9t$4          
99       99       99       99       99  
,,cont5ts   ,,*apt]                     
,,page  ,i4      ,a ,,comp>ison         
#a  ,,ii4     ,,! ,,cup ,,& ,,balls     
#af  ,,iii4    ,,! ,,bamboo-,,/icks     

#bc          ,,! ,,r+ ,,on ,,! ,,/ick   
#bf  ,,iv4     ,,! ,,glass ,,box        
#cb          ,,! ,,bund] ,,boat         
#ce  ,v4      ,,! ,,b[l ,,( ,,rice      
#ci          ,,! ,,col\r$ ,,s&s         
#db  ,,vi4     ,a ,,rope ,,trick        
#df          ,,! ,,swa/ika              
#di          ,,! ,,egg ,,bag            
#eb  ,,vii4    ,,! ,,danc+ ,,duck       
#ed          ,,! ,,mango ,,tree ,,trick 
#eg  ,,viii4   ,,! ,,basket ,,trick     
#fe  ,,ix4     ,,! ,,indian ,,rope      
,,trick           #gf  ,x4      ,,snakes
 ,,& ,,crocodiles           #hi  ,,xi4  
,,g5]alities ,,& ,,o!r ,,my?s    #ih    
99       99       99       99       99  
,,li/ ,,( ,,illu/rations   ,my old fri5d
 ,%ah ,mahomm$1 ag$ #hg ye>s1 son (     
,ghaus ,mahomm$1 :o di$ ag$ #ge ye>s1 & 
gr&son ( ,nur ,mahomm$ :o di$ at ! age (
 #gh ye>s1 ,all ?ree 7 it9]ant conjur]s 
& _h nev] se5 ! rope trick              
,front  ,%ah ,mahomm$ s++               
,ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay betwe5 two         
exp]im5ts                               

,fac+ page  #aj  ,%ah ,mahomm$ ) two    
assi/ants = ! ,r+ on ! ,/ick            
,fac+ page  #bh  ,prelim9>ies ( !       
,re/or$ ,rope1 ! only rope trick t ,i h 
ev] se5 p]=m$ 9 ,india                  
,fac+ page  #df  ,%ah ,mahomm$ p]=m+ !  
egg bag trick          ,fac+ page  #eb  
,! ,danc+ ,duck1 p]=m$ ) an enamel b[l  
in/ead ( ! cocoa-nut %ell               
,fac+ page  #ed  ,! prelim9>y /age ( !  
mango tree trick z %ewn by ,%ah ,mahomm$
                           ,fac+ page   
#fj  ,conclusion ( ! mango tree trick   
,fac+ page  #fb         99       99     
99       99       99     ,,indian       
,,conjur+   ,,*apt] ,i  ,a ,,comp>ison  
,s9ce ! _w began ,magic & wiz>dy seem to
 h held a great fasc9ation = mank9d1 an 
example be+ 9 ! /ory ( ! ,wit* ( ,endor4
 ,t ?is t5d5cy has 9 no wise alt]$ is   
cle> f ! popul>ity ( conjurors1         
illusioni/s1 & s call$ magicians :o     
/ill1 be x ,ea/ or ,we/1 attract an     
audi5ce s easily & s surely4 ,?is little
 volume is writt5 9 ! hopes t x may     

prove ( int]e/ to ! ?\s&s :o reside 9   
,india1 & ^? o!r ?\s&s :o1 visit+ its   
coral %ores f "t to "t1 (t5 discuss 9   
wond]+ amazem5t h[ ! ,indian conjuror   
p]=ms 8 tricks4 ,x is also writt5 to    
uphold ! reputation ( ! ,we/]n conjuror 
aga9/ ! spuri\s asc5dancy held by 8     
,ea/]n confr]e4  ,be=e describ+ ! _m    
well kn[n tricks t are %ewn by ! h\se to
 h\se ,jadoo-wallah1 & expla9+ h[ !y are
 done1 we w comp>e ! av]age ,indian     
conjuror ) 8 my/ic fri5ds 9 ,europe1    
,am]ica & ,*9a4  ,let u = a mom5t       
picture 9 our m9d's eye ! /age & p]son (
 ! ,european or ,am]ican conjuror4 ,a   
few small tables ) sp9dle legs 7^u !m a 
/eel frame or s1 transp>5t & decorative7
 are expos$ to our view4 ,! p]=m] appe>s
 ) roll$ up sleeves 9 close fitt+ clo!s 
& by ! end ( 8 p]=mance has fill$ ! /age
 ) sev]al l>ge flags1 a b\quet ( fl[]s  
&1 may be1 a beautiful lady1 all1       
possibly produc$ f a top hat4 ,8        
p]=mance is giv5 to ! accompanim5t (    
amus+ patt] & is bright5$ ) ! col\r ( ! 

articles he produces4  ,he may be an    
illusioni/ pure & simple & does n       
indulge 9 sleight-(-h& at all4 ,9 ?is   
case ! comp>ison ) ! ,indian            
,jadoo-wallah is n a fair "o1 z ! latt] 
has n ! means to pur*ase ! complicat$   
me*anism necess>y = up-to-date illusions
 z %ewn by ,european magicians4  ,:e!r  
or no 8 sup]ior education is ! reason1 !
 ,european conjuror ga9s 9 skill & %[s 8
 inv5tive g5ius z "t goes on4 ,8 effects
 are /udi$1 & 8 p>aph]nalia embraces m &
 m v>i$ articles4 ,! disappe>ance ( a   
,*ri/mas tree ) all its c&les light$ is 
an excell5t example to :at he has ris54 
,he takes an int]e/ 9 8 pr(ession or    
call+ & /rives to outdo o!rs 9 neatness 
or by inv5t+ an exclusive trick to :i* 8
 "n c be giv5 & h&$ d[n to po/]ity4 ,?is
 may be ! result ( l>ge fees t c be e>n$
 at ! ,halls or by private ent]ta9m5ts  
by ^? at ! top ( ! tree4 ,b ^! fees are 
op5 to a conjuror ( any nationality1 &  
,i am confid5t t ! int]e/ ! ,european   
takes 9 8 hobby has m to d ) 8          

sup]iority ?an education & l>ge fees4 ,!
 rul+ ,pr9ces ( ,india are v fond (     
wat*+ a clev] conjuror & c pay enorm\s  
fees1 b no ,indian conjuror appe>s to   
appeal to !m4 ,a ,we/]n p]=m] always    
wants to give 8 be/ to 8 audi5ce & takes
 a pride 9 my/ify+ !m4 ,david ,devant1  
:o is "o ( ! greate/ liv+ expon5ts has q
 rec5tly writt5 an article 9 ! ,/r&     
,magaz9e ( 8 dreams ( tricks t he w\ld l
 to be able to d4 ,to meet ! late ,*>les
 ,b]tram at home 0 a /udy 9 itself4 ,to 
h se5 him play+1 z a *ild w\ld play1 ) a
 pack ( c>ds until he /umbl$ across a   
new sleight & wat*$ ! enjoym5t writt5   
all ov] 8 face1 0 a pro( ( 8 deep int]e/
 9 8 hobby4  ,c anyone imag9e an ,indian
 conjuror dream+ ( a new trick8 ,ghee & 
khana 7cl>ifi$ butt] & food7 =m !       
subject ( ! majority ( 8 dreams4 ,:5 he 
does play ) any?+ x is to c>ess lov+ly !
 paisa or pieces ( money t he la/ e>n$1 
n to improve 8 dext]ity b because !y w  
give him a good meal1 a cup ( arak1 7or 
intoxicat+ liquor7 & a long lazy sleep4 

,! ,*9aman gives 8 ent]ta9m5t ) 8 /age  
well fill$ ) tables cov]$ ) gorge\s     
dragon-be-deck$ drap]ies t rea* ! gr\nd1
 & beh9d :i* useful assi/ants c\ld be   
easily conceal$4 ,8 own g>m5ts are roomy
 & 8 sleeves c\ld conta9 a multitude (  
billi>d balls & rabbits4 ,b he gives a  
%[y p]=mance ) clean bright articles1   
end+ up occasionally1 z ,i h se51 ) !   
production ( twelve l>ge ,*9ese lant]ns 
all lit6  ,! ,*9aman is ! inv5tor ( _m (
 ! mo/ beautiful illusions t are p]=m$4 
,"o ( ! prettie/ tricks imag9able is t (
 ! production ( b[ls ( gold fi% 9 real  
wat]1 "o ( ,*9ese orig94 ,he has improv$
 f anci5t times z an up-to-date %[man1 &
 is a wond]ful illusioni/4 ,to %[ :at c 
be done 9 ! volum9\s g>m5ts ( a ,*9aman1
 on "o occasion1 ,i1 9 8 national       
co/ume1 produc$ a l>ge b[l ( wat] :i*   
took two m5 to c>ry away1 !n a little   
boy ag$ t51 & 8 y\ng] bro!r ag$ five1   
o/5sibly f a %awl )\t mov+ f ! c5tre ( a
 /age devoid ( trap doors1 or any       
furniture4 ,x 0 m a feat ( /r5g? ?an    

skill at conjur+1 ?\gh1 z "o may readily
 imag9e1 extremely effective4  ,!       
,*9aman is also a clev] productioni/ &  
excels 9 produc+ fl[]s1 lant]ns & simil>
 articles4 ,8 dext]ity or sleight-(-h&  
is good b inf]ior to t ( ! ,european4   
,he has & uses well1 _m extremely +5i\s 
devices1 or fakes4 ,"o 9 p>ticul> has   
always appeal$ to me & is wor? describ+4
 ,he takes a piece ( tissue pap] :i* he 
ei!r *ews1 or moi/5s someh[ & rolls x   
into a small ball l pulp4 ,?is he places
 on 8 fan & tosses up into ! air sev]al 
times :ile x gradually assumes ! %ape ( 
an egg4 ,aft] "s few seconds x has      
become a l>ge duck's egg :i* he places 9
 an egg cup on ! table 9 full view ( !  
audi5ce4 ,?is little trick is v         
effective1 easy to d1 & c be pur*as$ =  
half-a-cr[n at any magical depot 9      
,london4  ,i hope t ,i h ga9$ my po9t 9 
%[+ t ! ,*9aman is an +5i\s & a neat    
p]=m]4 ,!re are _m o!r amaz+ tricks :i* 
7 orig9at$ 9 ,*9a & ! f> ,ea/1 7z !     
,japanese are z good1 if n bett] ?an !  

,*9ese7 b ?is egg trick is to my m9d !  
mo/ symbolical ( ,*9ese magic4  ,!      
,indian juggl] or ,jadoo-wallah arrives 
) a basket l>ge en\gh to conta9 a man1 z
 we w see lat]1 a huge dilapidat$ bag1 a
 volum9\s dhotie or lo9 clo?1 & possibly
 a snake basket or two4 ,he is a poor   
man or g>eeb admi & looks x4 ,he />ts a 
:9e 9 ! hope ( gett+ an audi5ce ?r\gh   
sympa?y4 ,if he does n :9e he assumes an
 air ( sup]iority t is some:at          
exasp]at+4 ,at sleight-(-h& he is f>    
bel[ ! level ( ! av]age ,european p]=m]4
 ,he spoils 8 art by ! cont9ual div+    
into 8 bag o/5tati\sly to dig out ! bone
 ( a c[ or an antiquat$ dolly1 ( ! rag  
doll type4 ,if only he w\ld d 8 little  
tricks away f 8 imp$im5ta 9 clean clo!s 
he w\ld add #ej to ! m]it ( 8 p]=mance  
?\gh x w\ld probably be n s ent]ta9+ to 
^? newly arriv$ 9 ,india4  ,i h v little
 praise to give to ! ,indian conjuror z 
an arti/1 ei!r 9 sleight-(-h&1 9 juggl+1
 or z an illusioni/4 ,8 tricks are z old
 z my unpaid bills & f "t immemorial h  

be5 p]=m$ ) ! same monoton\s patt] & !  
irritat+ drone ( ! bean or s call$      
musical in/rum5t4 ,i may "h say t ?is   
musical torture is us$ to disguise      
movem5ts ( ! %[man's h& 9 ! same way z !
 ,european uses 8 magic w&1 an in/rum5t 
t does n appeal to me at all1 ?\gh at   
times v useful4  ,! articles us$ by !   
,indian conjuror are v v primitive & (  
indiff]5t manufacture4 ,! ,jadoo-wallah 
has rema9$ z he 0 #ej1 #fj1 or #ajj ye>s
 ago4 ,! old g5tleman ^: portrait =ms ! 
fir/ illu/ration ( ?is book told me t ! 
tricks he does 7 le>nt by 8 great       
gr&fa!r f a fri5d 9 ,lahore4 ,?is takes 
u back "s #aej ye>s4 ,! tricks h rema9$ 
! same z :5 taught at ,lahore ?\gh my   
old fri5d has br\ght !m up-to-date by   
s++ ,ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay betwe5 ea*     
exp]im5t6  ,! ,indian conjuror has nev] 
indulg$ 9 pure sleight-(-h& to any      
ext5t1 & has nev] improv$ ^u any ( 8    
illusions4  ,illu/ration3 ,%ah ,mahomm$ 
s++ ,ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay betwe5 two     
exp]im5ts4  ,he seldom has any patt]    

wor? li/5+ to & t :i* he uses consi/s   
usually ( ,beggie1 beggie1 a[ or ,beggie
 beggie ja[4 ,bun1 two1 ?ree1 f\r1 five1
 :ite1 bite1 fight1 kite4 ,amus+ to a   
casual obs]v] b hopeless f an arti/s    
po9t ( view4  ,latt]ly "s ,indian       
conjurors h attempt$ to give 9 ,india   
p]=mances on ,european l9es4 ,!y h      
pur*as$ ! necess>y p>aph]nalia f ,london
 & h z mu* idea ( us+ x to its be/      
advantage z a crocodile has ( arrang+ ! 
fl[]s on a d9n] table4 ,our ,indian     
,jadoo-wallah usually gets himself into 
a v tight fitt+ ?ird or f\r? h& ev5+    
dress on ^! occasions1 to %[1 ,i        
presume1 h[ ,european he is4 ,! audi5ce 
is m conc]n$ ) ! possibility ( its bur/+
 & _! hav+ to leave ! !atre = dec5cy's  
sake ?an !y are ( ! feats he is attempt+
 to imitate4  ,8 patt] is excruciat+ &1 
to hide 8 want ( skill 9 sleight-(-h&1  
he moves 8 h&s & arms 9 grotesque       
curves1 ) 8 body s b5t t x is almo/     
impossible to see :at he is try+ to d4  
,i h nev] yet se5 any ,indian give an   

,engli% p]=mance t w\ld be tol]at$ on ! 
s&s at ,slu%ton-on-,sea ! seat ( my     
ance/ral home4 ,:ile writ+ ! above ,i h 
9 m9d "o ( ^! ,indians1 an impossible   
p]son1 :o1 z ,c\rt p]=m] to sev]al ( !  
,rul+ ,indian ,pr9ces1 makes ! a/oni%+  
total ( ,rs4 #abjj or ,l#hj a mon?4  ,! 
only native conjurors t ,i h se5 :o are 
consi/5tly good at sleight-(-h&1 7& !y  
are ,arabs or ,egyptians7 are ! invad]s 
( ! %ips at ,port ,said1 & _! "o & only 
good po9t1 magically1 is _! manipulation
 ( ^? un=tunate *ick5s4 ,_! ,gillie1    
gillie1 ,mrs4 ,langtry is m up-to-date &
 an improvem5t ^u ! ,beggie1 beggie1 a[ 
( ,india4  ,x has always be5 a m>vel to 
me h[ ! ,indian conjuror has ga9$ 8     
spuri\s reputation4 ,i c only ascribe ! 
fact to ! idea t ! audi5ce />t ) !      
impression1 sub-consci\s ?\gh x may     
be--( ,mahatmaism1 ,jadoo1 or any o!r   
synonym by :i* ,ori5tal ,magic is       
designat$4 ,?is all[s !m to wat* )      
amazem5t tricks t are s simple t no     
,engli% conjuror w\ld d>e to %[ !m to 8 

y\nge/ *ild4  ,)\t p>tiality ,i c safely
 ass]t t ( ! ?ree types "u discussion1 !
 ,european1 ! ,*9aman1 & ! ,indian1 !   
av]age ,european conjuror is ! mo/      
skill$ p>ticul>ly at sleight-(-h&4 ,he  
c]ta9ly excels 9 c>d manipulation :i* is
 seldom t\*$ by ! ,ori5tal magician4 ,9 
illusions he is beyond comp>ison1 z _m (
 our read]s may c]tify :o h se5 !       
wond]ful productions by ,messrs4        
,maskelyn & ,cooke1 ,devant1 & _! _m    
foll[]s4 ,! gradual disappe>ance ( a    
lady 9 ev5+ dress1 visibly1 & 9 mid /age
 gr[+ small] & small] until %e is small 
en\gh to be put into a pap] bag1 :i* is 
roll$ into a ball & ?r[n away1 is an    
illusion t no ,ori5tal w ev] attempt to 
compete )4 ,su* illusions c be se5 at   
any "t ( ! ye> at ! ,palace ,!atre & o!r
 halls 9 ,london1 9 ,p>is & ev5 ,bombay4
  ,!re may be _m :o w readily disagree )
 my disp>agem5t ( ! ,indian             
,jadoo-wallah4 ,i admit t ,magic may h  
come orig9ally f ! ,ea/4 ,! ,egyptians =
 in/ance1 _h wond]ful illusions t 7     

freely us$ by _! prie/s 9 ! temples     
ma9ly = ! extortion ( money or valuables
 f _! gullible disciples4 ,^! illusions 
7 m]ely me*anical devices su* z !       
my/]i\s op5+ & %utt+ ( doors on ! s\nd (
 a c]ta9 ^w l ,abracadabra4 ,^! devices 
c be duplicat$ by our skilful me*anics1 
b w\ld n be wor? v mu* ^! enlight5$ days
 z a lucrative inve/m5t4  ,x may also be
 said t ! comp>ison to ! detrim5t ( !   
,indian is n a fair "o z he has no /age 
^u :i* to p]=m1 :]eas ! ,european gives 
8 %[ usually 9 a rop$ (f portion ( !    
draw+ room1 or on ! /age ( a conc]t     
hall4 ,! reason ( ?is is t ! ,european  
_c z a rule collect 8 audi5ce 9 ! op54  
,:5 he does get an outdoor assembly he  
is j z mu* an adept z he is indoors4 ,_m
 ( my read]s may h regrettably to agree 
) me1 especially ^? :o h met our ?ree   
c>d trick fri5d1 or ! p]fectly good     
g5tleman ) ! ?imbles & ! pea1 at ,ascot4
     ,,*apt] ,,ii   ,:5 ! ,jadoo-wallah 
has sat himself d[n ) 8 bag & baskets 9 
_! correct places he usually proce$s to 

%[ ! foll[+ tricks3--  ,! cups & balls4 
,! bamboo /icks4  ,! r+ on ! /ick4  ,!  
ball 9 ! glass box4  ,! bund]-boat4  ,! 
b[l ( rice4  ,! col\r$ s&s4  ,! rope    
trick4  ,! egg bag4  ,! swa/ika4  ,!    
danc+ duck4  ,! mango tree4  ,! basket  
trick4  ,i w attempt to describe ea*    
trick = ! b5efit ( ^? :o h n actually   
se5 !m p]=m$1 & w !n attempt to give a  
lucid explanation ( h[ ^! tricks are    
done4     ,,! ,,cup ,,& ,,balls   ,!    
p]=m] has ?ree cups ( wood1 some:at     
simil> to crude w9e glasses ov]turn$1 ! 
base ( ! w9e glass =m+ ! h&le by :i* !  
cup is manipulat$4 ,"u ^! he places1 )\t
 detection1 little wooll5 or clo? balls 
& extracts !m 9 ! same my/]i\s mann]4   
,simil>ly he %[s two balls1 "o "u ea* ( 
two cups1 & by a drone on ! bean or     
musical in/rum5t1 "o ball flies         
magically f ! "o cup to jo9 its mate "u 
! o!r4 ,v>i\s comb9ations & p]mutations 
( ?is sleight complete ! exp]im5t :i* is
 accompani$ by a runn+ patt] ( ,g       
,bombay ,g ,london4  ,9 my op9ion ?is   

trick is ! only "o 9 :i* ! ,indian      
conjuror %[s any aptitude at            
sleight-(-h&1 & ! av]age ,jadoo-wallah  
is v good at x4 ,x is a trick t at fir/ 
ne$s a little practice1 b x is easy to  
le>n & c be made into a fir/-class /age 
or draw+ room ent]ta9m5t4 ,"o ( our     
greate/ expon5ts 9 ,london p]=ms ! trick
 ) ?ree breakfa/ cups inv]t$1 ?ree lumps
 ( sug>1 "s walnuts1 & tang]9e oranges  
to a mo/ amus+ patt] ab\t ,cu?b]t1      
,cl>5ce1 & ,alg]non1 :o are repres5t$ by
 ! ?ree lumps ( sug> & und]go all sorts 
( misadv5tures 9 ! night clubs 9 ! ,we/ 
,end ( ,london4  ,! explanation is      
simple4  ,illu/ration  ,in/ead ( ?ree   
balls ! p]=m] has f\r4 ,"o ( ^! he      
conceals 9 ! palm ( ! h& by :i* he lifts
 ! cup4 ,! h&le ( ! cup c be grasp$     
betwe5 ! out/ret*$ f+]s--7fir/ &        
second7--& ! ball is securely held by ! 
muscle at ! ball ( ! ?umb4 ,by b5d+ !   
fir/ & second f+]s t hold ! cup1 its lip
 is br\ght 9 close proximity to !       
secret$ ball4 ,by a %>p or j]ky movem5t 

=w>d to place ! cup on ! gr\nd1 & at !  
same "t releas+ ! muscle ( ! ball ( !   
?umb1 ! wooll5 ball naturally f9ds its  
place "u ! cup & ! deception is         
complete4 ,! p]=m] !n picks up "o ( !   
?ree expos$ balls & pret5ds to place x 9
 8 bag or into ! o!r h&4 ,a bl[ on !    
bean & ,hey6 ,pre/o6 ! ball appe>s "u ! 
cup t a mom5t ago 0 plac$ app>5tly empty
 on ! gr\nd4  ,illu/ration  ,i w n g any
 fur!r into ! comb9ations & p]mutations1
 :i* are unlimit$1 ( ! trick4 ,once a   
p]son has ma/]$ ! easy dext]ity describ$
 above to get ! ball into ! cup1 he c   
devise fur!r developm5ts = himself4 ,!  
diagrams giv5 w1 ,i tru/1 cle> up any   
misund]/&+ t may be left aft] read+ my  
explanation4 ,if !re is /ill any        
unc]ta9ty1 = a few annas or p5ce1 any   
it9]ant conjuror w %[ ! sleight1 & t5   
m9utes practice ought to br+ matt]s to a
 satisfactory conclusion4  ,?is may be a
 fitt+ opportunity to disabuse ! m9ds ( 
"s ab\t ! am\nt ( practice und]tak5 by a
 really fir/-class p]=m]4 ,i consid] t a

 man :o is an exp]t ne$s no practice at 
all4 ,sleight-(-h& to him is j z innate 
z hitt+ any %ap$ ball ) any %ap$ /ick1  
is to a man ) an eye = games4 ,! arti/s 
:o drew ^! illu/rations1 draw any?+     
in/9ctively4 ,ye>s ( practice w nev]    
make ! faces ( a pretty girl t ,i draw  
look less l an amphibi\s c[4 ,b ,i h    
frequ5tly giv5 p]=mances ( two h\r's    
duration )\t any previ\s practice       
:atev]1 beyond a quick rehe>sal to see t
 all ! v>i\s prop]ties are 9 _! correct 
places1 ready at h& :5 want$4 ,i d n    
want ! p]son :o wi%es to d a few tricks 
l ! cups & balls1 & ^? :i* ,i w describe
 lat]1 to be disc\rag$ "u ! impression t
 n be+ a born conjuror x w be useless = 
him to attempt small tricks )\t con/ant 
& monoton\s practice4 ,a little att5tion
 & tr\ble w make him hot /uff ) ! cups &
 balls & w lead him on to high] ?+s4    
,,*apt] ,,iii  ,,! ,,bamboo-,,/icks     
,we h n[ ! second trick t is usually    
%ewn by ! ,jadoo-wallah1 t ( ! bamboo   
/icks1 ess5tially "o ( purely ,indian   

orig94  ,! p]=m] takes two small bamboo 
/icks :i* h ?read$ ?r\gh !m a piece (   
/r+ at ea* end ( :i* is a bead4 ,he     
holds ^! /icks toge!r & :5 he pulls "o  
bead ! o!r is naturally drawn into its  
/ick4 ,he n[ takes a knife & passes x   
betwe5 ! /icks o/5sibly cutt+ ! /r+     
betwe5 !m4 ,he aga9 pulls "o bead &     
wond]ful to relate ! o!r bead is /ill   
drawn 9 t[>ds its /ick1 z be=e4 ,he n[  
sep>ates ! /icks & holds !m 9 ! %ape ( a
 ,v1 & "o c see t !re is no /r+ betwe5 !
 /icks4 ,/ill ! same ?+ happ5s4 ,:5 he  
pulls "o bead ! o!r is drawn into its   
/ick4  ,illu/ration3 ,/icks held toge!r 
till ! knife is pass$ betwe5 !m         
,illu/ration3 ,held 9 ,v position  ,?is 
little trick is usually sold z "o ( a   
box ( tricks = *ildr5 at any ( ! toy    
%ops 9 ,engl&4 ,! explanation is giv5 9 
! diagrams bel[1 :i* %[ t ! /r+ does n  
pass directly ?r\gh ea* /ick1 b f "o    
side only1 !n ?r\gh its c5tre d[n to !  
bottom1 across to ! o!r /ick1 up ?r\gh  
its c5tre1 & out ?r\gh its side4        

,consequ5tly pass+ ! knife betwe5 !     
/icks _c h>m ! /r+ 9 any way4  ,!       
,indian conjuror goes /ill f>!r ?an !   
trick z suppli$ 9 ! *ild's box ( tricks4
 ,aft] pull+ ! /r+ to & fro :ile ! /icks
 are held z a ,v he sep>ates ! /icks    
completely4 ,! same result occurs       
nev]!less4 ,:5 he pulls "o end ( ! /r+ !
 o!r end is drawn t[>ds its /ick4 ,?is  
is br\ght ab\t by a diff]5t con/ruction 
( ! app>atus ?an t describ$ above4  ,9  
?is case ! /r+ is put ?r\gh "o side ( ! 
/ick & is atta*$ to a small weight t c  
move freely up & d[n ! holl[$ out c5tre 
( ! bamboo4 ,:5 ! /ick is held v]tically
 ! weight w drop & ! bead atta*$ to !   
visible end ( ! /r+ w be automatically  
drawn 94 ,:5 ! p]=m] wi%es to leave !   
pull$ /r+ out1 he mu/ incl9e ! /ick to a
 horizontal position :5 ! weight w n    
slide d[n4 ,! diagrams w %[ h[ ! /icks  
%\ld be held :ile %[+ ! trick4 ,x c be  
easily manufactur$ or b\ght 9 a baza> = 
a few annas4  ,illu/ration3 ,bo? /icks  
held v]tically & bo? beads 9            

,illu/ration3 ,"o /ick held horizontally
 all[s ! bead to rema9 out1 :ile ! o!r  
be+ held v]tically has ! bead drawn 9   
,illu/ration3 ,vice-v]sa ) /icks sep>at$
     ,,! ,,r+ ,,on ,,! ,,/ick   ,! /icks
 are put away into ! basket1 & ! magic  
w& is produc$ = our next little         
exp]im5t1 t ( putt+ a borr[$ r+ on to ! 
middle ( a /ick t is held at bo? ends4  
,almo/ e ,european 9 ,india has se5 ?is 
p]=m$ 9 ,india = x is ! fav\rite ( !    
,jadoo-wallah1 & is ! mo/ effective ( ! 
small tricks t he c %[4 ,x takes up a   
consid]able "t & is simplicity itself4  
,9 case any ( my read]s h n se5 ! trick 
9 ,india1 or on _! way out at ,port     
,said1 ,i w describe x4 ,! p]=m] ei!r   
borr[s or uses 8 own ?9 cane1 & passes x
 r\nd to 8 audi5ce to %[ t x is devoid (
 all me*anism4 ,he !n borr[s a w$d+ r+1 
:i* he also all[s to be freely exam9$4  
,he gets ,a & ,b1 two ( 8 audi5ce1 to   
hold ! ends ( ! /ick ea* by "o h&4 ,he  
!n boldly proclaims t he proposes to    
pass ! r+ on to ! middle ( ! /ick )\t   

ei!r ,a or ,b lett+ g ( _! respective   
ends4 ,9 ord]1 h[ev]1 n to divulge !    
secret he mu/ pass x on "u cov] ( a     
h&k]*ief4 ,he takes ! borr[$ r+ & wraps 
x up 9 ! middle ( ! h&k]*ief :i* he asks
 "s "o to hold1 & to feel ! r+ wrapp$ up
 9 x4 ,9 ord] to let ev]yone "k t ! r+  
is really !re1 he takes ! /ick f ,a & ,b
 & gives a tap on ! r+4 ,he !n gets ,a &
 ,b to hold ! /ick once m & p]suades ,c1
 :o is assi/+ ) ! h&k]*ief1 to hold x   
ov] ! middle ( ! /ick4 ,! p]=m] holds ! 
corn] ( ! h&k]*ief & in/ructs ,c to let 
g 8 hold on ! ^w ?ree4 ,"o6 two6 ?ree6  
,! h&k]*ief is %>ply pull$ away & !     
borr[$ r+ is se5 to be sp9n+ on ! middle
 ( ! /ick6  ,illu/ration3 ,%ah ,mahomm$ 
) two assi/ants = ,! ,r+ on ! ,/ick4    
,?is is h[ x is done4 ,! /ick is an     
ord9>y "o1 ?9 en\gh to pass easily ?r\gh
 a w$d+ r+4 ,! only prep>$ article is ! 
h&k]*ief1 9 "o corn] ( :i* is a         
duplicate w$d+ r+ sewn into a small     
pocket4 ,x does n matt] :e!r or no x is 
exactly simil> to ! r+ t is borr[$1 z ! 

p]=m] takes c>e t ! own] ( ! borr[$ r+  
does n get a *ance ( feel+ ! duplicate  
ev5 ?r\gh ! folds ( ! h&k]*ief4 ,:5 !   
p]=m] takes ! borr[$ r+ to fold 9 !     
h&k]*ief1 he folds ! "o t is already    
sewn 9 x1 & secretes ! borr[$ r+ 9 8 h&4
 ,he takes ! /ick f ,a & ,b to tap on ! 
r+ fold$ 9 ! h&k]*ief1 really to slide !
 borr[$ r+ into ! middle ( x4 ,he h&s ! 
/ick back to be held by ,a & ,b b keeps 
8 h& ov] ! r+ n[ on x1 ?us conceal+ x   
until x is cov]$ by ! h&k]*ief4 ,:5 !   
h&k]*ief is pull$ away on ! ^w ?ree x   
takes ) x ! r+ sewn into its corn] & z x
 bru%es ! /ick x makes ! borr[$ r+ on ! 
/ick revolve app>5tly z if x _h j arriv$
 9 t position4  ,= simplicity's sake let
 u take ! v>i\s moves z !y occur4       
,a4 ,borr[ a /ick & h& x r\nd =         
exam9ation4       ,b4 ,get ,a & ,b to   
hold x at ! ends4       ,c4 ,borr[ a    
w$d+ r+4       ,d4 ,take ! h&k]*ief f ! 
pocket4 7,! duplicate      r+ sewn 9 !  
corn] be+ held pref]ably 9 ! "r         
h&47       ,e4 ,pret5d to wrap up !     

borr[$ r+ 9 ! h&k]*ief1      9 reality  
wrapp+ up ! corn] r+1 & secrete !       
borr[$ r+ 9 ! "r h&4       ,f4 ,take !  
/ick f ,a & ,b & tap ! fold$ r+ )       
x1 n[ be+ held by ,c4 ,:ile do+ s1 slip 
! borr[$      r+ into ! middle ( ! /ick4
 ,g4 ,h& ! /ick back      to ,a & ,b b  
keep ! h& on ! /ick ov] ! r+4       ,h4 
,get ,c to cov] ?is h& ) ! h&k]*ief1    
hold+      ! r+ ov] ! middle ( ! /ick & 
in/ruct him to      let g on ! ^w ?ree4 
,a neat little trick t c be p]=m$ by    
anybody :o takes ! tr\ble to practice x 
a c\ple ( times4     ,,*apt] ,,iv  ,,!  
,,glass ,,box   ,! ,glass ,box & ,ball4 
,! next trick pres5t$ to u is usually ! 
glass box & wooll5 ball4 ,! p]=m] takes 
a v badly con/ruct$ glass box ?r\gh :i* 
"o c see 9 any direction4 ,he cov]s ?is 
) a h&k]*ief & places x on ! gr\nd4     
,hav+ play$ 8 bean = "s mom5ts he takes 
up ! box4 ,!re is a l\d click1 & snat*+ 
away ! h&k]*ief ! ,jadoo-wallah %[s !   
box fill$ ) a v>iegat$ clo? ball4 ,he   
op5s ! lid1 takes ! ball out1 & aft]    

casually %[+ x to ! audi5ce ?ru/s x into
 8 bag4 ,he is inord9ately pr\d ( ?is   
ef=t1 z he assures "o t x is f ,bilayat 
7,engl&71 a sl&] t is at once           
disc\nt5anc$ by a glimpse at ! box1     
obvi\sly made by ! mo/ indiff]5t te5    
banane wallah 7t9smi?7 t ev] _h !       
imp]t95ce to und]take to make any?+4    
,illu/ration  ,! con/ruction ( ! box is 
%ewn 9 ! diagram bel[4 ,its sides are ( 
glass b ! top & bottom are ( t94 ,be=e  
pres5t+ ! trick a clo? ball1 made ( a   
spiral spr+ cov]$ ) clo?1 7triangul>    
pieces ( diff]5t col\rs sewn toge!r71 is
 compress$ & plac$ betwe5 ! bottom ( !  
box & a glass flap :i* is press$ d[n ov]
 x until caught by a p9 at ! back ( !   
box4 ,:5 ! ball is to appe>1 ?is p9 is  
press$ & ! cat* releases ! glass flap4  
,! spr+ 9 ! ball =ces x up aga9/ "o ( ! 
sides :ile ! ball fills ! box & holds ! 
flap up4  ,illu/ration  ,x is a mo/     
futile trick ) little effect & usually  
uncommonly badly %ewn4 ,b ! man ( my/]y 
himself is delight$ ) x & ?9ks x is !   

be/ trick 9 8 rep]toire4     ,! ,bund]  
,boat4   ,our next trick--s call$       
because ! toy boat us$ is int5d$ to be a
 m9iature ( ! h>b\r or b&] boat us$ 9   
,bombay--is a trick :i* dep5ds entirely 
on natural pr9ciples1 & only ne$s a     
c>eful eye to "t its requir$ patt]4 ,x  
is a trick t is m commonly %ewn 9 !     
,bombay di/ricts ?an else:]e1 ?\gh !re  
is no reason :y x %\ld n h travell$     
?r\gh\t ,india s9ce its inv5tion        
c\ntless ye>s ago4  ,illu/ration3 ,small
 hole out (  :i* ! wat] p\rs into ! boat
 :ile ! bottom ( ! ma/ is free ( ! wat] 
9 ! boat4  ,cocoa-nut %ell full ( wat]  
,holl[ ma/  ,hole ?r\gh :i* ! wat]      
leaks4 ,?is leakage is n obs]v$ ow+ to !
 c>eless767 spill+ ( ! wat] ref]r$ to 9 
! text4  ,a piece ( wood cut into ! %ape
 ( a boat is plac$ on ! gr\nd1 & a ma/  
ab\t #ab in*es high is fix$ into its "o 
& only seat by be+ firmly press$ into ! 
hole cut ?r\gh ! seat4 ,to ! top ( ! ma/
 is affix$ a cocoa-nut %ell :i* has a   
small hole cut into x ab\t "o ?ird ( !  

way up4 ,prior to ! fix+ ( ! ma/ & !    
%ell1 ! boat & ! %ell are fill$ ) wat]4 
,! bottom ( ! ma/--:i* is holl[$ d[n its
 c5tre--j t\*es ! top ( ! wat] 9 ! boat4
 ,:ile fill+ ! articles ) wat] ! p]=m]  
c>elessly--v c>elessly--spills "s on !  
gr\nd all r\nd ! boat4 ,he !n bl[s 8    
bean4 ,aft] a %ort int]val he ord]s wat]
 to p\r out ( ! hole 9 ! %ell4 ,x does s
 until he tells x to /op4 ,he aga9 bl[s 
8 bean4 ,aga9 he ord]s ! wat] to p\r out
 ( ! %ell4 ,aga9 x p\rs out until told  
to /op4 ,& s on until ! %ell is q empty 
& ! trick is at an end4  ,wond]ful isn't
 x8 ,m>vell\s6 ,mahatmaism6  ,n[ let u h
 ! explanation4  ,! cocoa-nut %ell is   
full ( wat]4 ,x has only "o outlet1 !   
small hole 9 its side4 ,?is is s small t
 ! air _c get 9 to let ! wat] out4 ,!   
only way ! air c get 9 is up ! holl[$   
ma/1 ! bottom ( :i* is imm]s$ 9 ! wat] 9
 ! boat4 ,!re is a small hole 9 ! bottom
 ( ! boat ?r\gh :i* ! wat] 9 x leaks    
away4 ,?is l[]s ! wat] until x has cle>$
 f ! bottom ( ! ma/ ?r\gh :i* a puff (  

air goes up into ! %ell1 all[+ "s ( !   
wat] 9 ! %ell to p\r out into ! wat] 9 !
 boat4 ,n[ ! wat] f ! %ell p\rs out 9   
great] volume into ! boat ?an ! wat] t  
is leak+ out ( ! boat4 ,?is fills x up  
aga9 until ! bottom ( ! ma/ is aga9     
imm]s$1 /opp+ any air go+ up into ! %ell
 & ! wat] /ops p\r+ out ( x4  ,! p]=m]  
drones away on 8 musical in/rum5t until 
he sees t ! wat] level 9 ! boat is j    
ab\t to cle> ! bottom ( ! ma/4 ,he !n   
ord]s ! wat] to come out ( ! %ell4 ,he  
wat*es until ! newly add$ wat] to t 9 ! 
boat is ab\t to cov] ! bottom ( ! ma/   
aga91 & !n gives t wond]ful & mu* us$   
ord] ,bus t1 possibly1 _m ( my read]s   
may use f "t to "t aft] ! sun has set4  
,! wat] /ops p\r+ out ( ! ma/4          
,wond]ful isn't x8 ,mahatma4 ,gh&i ki   
,jai6     ,,*apt] ,v  ,,! ,,b[l ,,(     
,,rice   ,a surpris+ little trick 0 once
 %ewn to me by a p]=m] ^: exhibition (  
magic 0 o!rwise ( a v l[ class4  ,he    
borr[$ a lota or brass wat] b[l ( "o ( !
 s]vants4 ,^! lotas are inv>iably s %ap$

 t ! circumf]5ce ( ! top is ab\t half t 
( ! wide/ "p1 ?us3--  ,illu/ration  ,he 
!n borr[$ "s uncook$ rice ) :i* he      
proce$$ to fill ! b[l to its utmo/      
capacity4 ,:ile do+ s he kept on bump+ !
 b[l on ! gr\nd s t ! rice 0 pack$ z    
closely z possible inside x1 until      
f9ally "o c\ld see ! la/ few gra9s 9 a  
pyramid on top4  ,he !n borr[$ a l>ge   
table knife1 & z x 71 /abb$ x into !    
rice d[n into ! b[l4 ,little /abs at    
fir/1 & !n deep] & deep] until ! :ole ( 
! blade ( ! knife 0 9 ! rice1 & ! h&le  
alone rema9$ to be se54 ,aft] an        
incantation & jadoo-music1 he caught    
hold ( ! h&le & rais$ ! b[l & ! rice    
sl[ly into space4 ,he !n swung x to &   
fro & ev5tually spun r\nd & r\nd1 hold+ 
! h&le ( ! knife :ile ! b[l & its       
cont5ts ( rice clung t5aci\sly to !     
blade4 ,beg9n+ to sl[ d[n1 he at la/    
replac$ ! b[l on ! gr\nd1 extract$ !    
knife & h&$ x to me = exam9ation4 ,he   
empti$ ! b[l p\r+ ! rice into "s pap]   
laid out to receive x4 ,! close/ scrut9y

 reveal$ no trace ( gadgets or ( any    
artifice t _h enabl$ him to ?us lift !  
fill$ b[l4  ,a small bribe c\ld n tempt 
him to reveal ! secret1 & 9 su* cases ,i
 make x a rule to try ! trick exactly z 
,i h se5 x done4  ,i took a simil> b[l1 
fill$ x ) rice1 & /abb$ x ) a table     
knife4 ,g5tly at fir/ & !n m firmly4 ,to
 my a/oni%m5t ,i f\nd t aft] ?ree or f\r
 /abs 9 exactly ! same place1 ! rice    
bel[ ! blade seem$ to get h>d]1 until ,i
 press$ d[n ! knife & f\nd t ,i c\ld n  
extract x ) a /raight pull6 ,i lift$ !  
b[l ( rice1 & c\ld ) impunity sw+ x r\nd
 ov] my head j z "o uses an ,indian     
club4 ,to extract ! knife "o has to twi/
 ! h&le slightly1 :5 x comes out        
imm$iately4 ,try x & see4     ,! ,col\r$
 ,s&s4   ,occasionally our conjur+ fri5d
 breaks out f ! /]eotyp$ programme      
already describ$1 & "o ( ! mo/ common   
additions to 8 programme is ! col\r$ s& 
trick4  ,he has a b[l ( wat] on ! gr\nd1
 & f a numb] ( small packets ( pap] he  
takes a correspond+ numb] ( diff]5t     

col\r$ p[d]s4 ,let u say ,gre51 ,r$1    
,:ite1 ,orange & ,blue4 ,he p\rs all ^! 
into ! b[l ( wat]1 :i* assumes a dirty  
blue col\r :5 /irr$ up well4  ,f9ally1 f
 a box conta9+ common s& he puts two or 
?ree h&sfull into ! bas9 ( wat] &       
?or\ghly mixes up ! cont5ts ( ! b[l4    
,he !n asks 8 audi5ce :i* col\r$ s& !y  
w\ld l extract$ f ! wat]4 ,! reply may  
be gre54 ,wet or dry8 asks ! conjuror4  
,let u ask = dry4 ,he dips 8 h& into !  
wat] & grasp+1 app>5tly1 a h&ful ( !    
mixture1 draws x out aga91 & squeezes   
out a %[] ( dry gre5 s&1 unmix$ ) any   
o!r col\r6 ,n[ :at col\r w y h8 asks !  
magician4 ,let u ask = wet blue s&4 ,he 
dips 8 empty h& into ! wat]1 & draws out
 a h&ful ( wet blue s&1 =1 :5 he op5s 8 
h&1 a damp ball ( blue s& falls on to ! 
gr\nd4 ,he c deal ) ! o!r col\r$ s&s 9 !
 same way1 br++ out ea* col\r sep>ately1
 & wet or dry z desir$4  ,h[ on e>? is x
 done8  ,! diff]5t col\r$ s&s or p[d]s  
are put into ! wat] 9 a fair & squ>e    
mann]4 ,b ! solution ( ! trick is to be 

f\nd 9 ! way 9 :i* he puts ! common s&  
into ! wat]4 ,?is common s& is kept 9 a 
box1 & 9 x are little balls ( prep>$    
p[d]s or s& ( col\rs correspond+ to ^?  
already put into ! wat]4 ,^! balls are  
prep>$ by be+ mix$ ) a little wat]1     
roll$ into a ball1 :i* is sme>$ all ov] 
) grease1 & !n bak$ until dry4 ,ea* ball
 c !n be imm]s$ 9 wat] = a m9ute or s   
)\t crumbl+ or be+ damag$ by ! wat]4 ,^!
 balls are put into ! common s& box1 s t
 !y are only j visible to ! p]=m]4 ,he  
puts 8 h& into ! box & extracts a h&ful 
( common s&1 toge!r ) a ball ( p[d]4 ,he
 ?ru/s 8 h& into ! b[l leav+ ! ball     
imm]s$1 & notes its position4 ,he aga9  
takes a h&ful ( common s& & ) x ano!r   
ball :i* he places 9 ! wat]4 ,simil>ly  
he places all ! col\r$ balls into !     
wat]1 "u ! guise ( add+ pl5ty ( common  
s&1 to make ! trick m difficult &       
wond]ful4 ,he notes v c>efully !        
position ( ea* col\r$ ball z he puts x  
into ! wat]1 z :5 imm]s$ !y _c be se5   
ei!r by him or ! audi5ce1 ow+ to ! dirty

 blue-i%ness ( ! :ole mixture4  ,!      
audi5ce n[ select ! col\r ( ! p[d] to be
 extract$4 ,! p]=m] rememb]s ! position 
( ! requir$ ball & takes x out4  ,if x  
is to be p\r$ out wet1 he op5s 8 h& &   
drops x on to ! gr\nd4 ,if x is want$   
,dry1 by squeez+ ! ball1 its bak$ %ell  
is crack$ & its cont5ts p\r out4  ,!re  
is no difficulty 9 p]=m+ ! trick4 ,x is 
v effective & "o t is includ$ 9 !       
programme ( _m ,european conjurors1 ?\gh
 _! modus op]&i is m effici5t & ne$s    
less prep>ation4     ,,*apt] ,,vi  ,a   
,,rope ,,trick   ,! only rope trick ,i h
 ev] se5 p]=m$ by an ,indian conjuror1  
is t ( ,! cut /r+ re/or$1 z x is call$ 9
 ,engl&4  ,! idea is to get "o ( !      
audi5ce to cut a piece ( /r+ or rope    
o/5sibly 9 half & by magic to re/ore x1 
)\t ! use ( knots4  ,illu/ration3       
,,prelim9>ies ,,( ,,! ,,re/or$ ,,rope4  
,! only rope trick t ,i h ev] se5 p]=m$ 
9 ,india4  ,! explanation ( ?is trick is
 giv5 9 _m books = beg9n]s 9 ,magic4 ,! 
au?or ( ,mod]n ,magic--! be/ "w to my   

m9d on ,elem5t>y conjur+--says ( x ,?is 
trick is ( su* v5]able antiquity1 t we  
%\ld n h v5tur$ to allude to x1 7 x n t 
! mode ( work+1 :i* we are ab\t to      
describe1 ?\gh old 9 pr9ciple is new 9  
detail & mu* sup]ior 9 neatness to !    
g5]ally kn[n me?ods4  ,aft] (f]+ ! rope 
= ?or\gh exam9ation ,%ah ,mahomm$ took !
 two ends & manipulat$ ! rope 9 su* a   
mann] t :5 x 0 held out to be cut x 0 9 
?is wise3--  ,illu/ration  ,held at ,a  
by ! left h& & at ,b by ! "r4 ,x 0 cut  
at x & consequ5tly 0 9 two pieces n (   
equal l5g?1 b ( :i* "o 0 practically !  
:ole l5g? ( ! rope :ile ! o!r 0 ! piece 
,,ax1 or possibly "s six in*es long4    
,:ile ga!r+ up ! rope to be magically   
re/or$1 ! old sc\ndrel simply got rid ( 
?is small piece & %[$ ! long] "o z !    
re/or$ rope4  ,to g into details & to   
give ! drill z to h[ to get ! /r+ or    
rope into ! requir$ position w\ld be    
t$i\s & difficult to und]/&4 ,!         
illu/ration1 ,i tru/1 expla9s           
suffici5tly cle>ly ! secret ( ! trick1 &

 if "o tries to get x into ?is position 
x w be f\nd q easy to d1 *acun a son    
g\t4  ,%ah ,mahomm$ made q a feature ( !
 trick1 us+ two assi/ants = x1 "o to    
hold ! rope occasionally & ! o!r to cut 
x4  ,! fir/ "t ,i rememb] see+ x 0 :5   
,uncle ,george %[$ x to me on my f\r?   
bir?day1 _m long we>y ye>s ago4         
,illu/ration  ,! /r+ 7z %ewn 9 ! above  
illu/ration7 be+ held = ! audi5ce to cut
 at x4     ,,! ,,swa/ika   ,i rememb] on
 "o occasion "s #bj ye>s ago1 be+ v     
puzzl$ by a trick t is (t5 p]=m$ 9      
,b5gal4  ,! magician gets f "o ( !      
s]vants a brok5 *atti or e>!nw>e b[l4   
,he selects a piece ab\t two in*es squ>e
 & asks "o ( 8 audi5ce to draw ^u x ) a 
piece ( *>coal1 borr[$ f ! ,khansamah or
 cook1 ! sign ( ! ,swa/ika1 ) :i* mo/ p 
are famili>4  ,illu/ration  ,! draftsman
 is !n reque/$ to place ! piece (       
e>!nw>e or tile on ! gr\nd & aft] gaz+  
int5tly at ! ,swa/ika to cru% x to p[d] 
) ! heel ( 8 boot4 ,^! in/ructions are  
accord+ly c>ri$ out4 ,! man ( magic n[  

asks 8 assi/ant to look at ! palm ( 8 h&
 & see t !re is no m>k ^u x4 ,!re is no 
m>k4 ,! h& is !n held out palm upw>ds   
ov] ! p[d]$ tile & ! assi/ant is told to
 gaze at x int5tly4 ,aft] a few seconds 
! p]=m] turns ! assi/ant's h& ov] s t x 
is n[ palm d[nw>ds4 ,a little music on !
 bean1 a magic pass1 a my/ic ^w1 & !    
assi/ant is reque/$ to look at ! palm ( 
8 h&1 :5 to 8 a/oni%m5t1 !re is a di/9ct
 m>k ( ! ,swa/ika ^u x6 ,truly a        
miracle6  ,! trick is a mo/ effective   
"o1 & :5 well p]=m$1 ) int]vals = gaz+  
at ! du/1 ! clean palm1 my/ic words & s 
=?1 x w\ld baffle mo/ audi5ces4 ,yet x  
is simplicity itself1 & ?is is ! secret4
  ,:5 ! ,swa/ika is drawn on ! piece (  
tile1 ! p]=m] 9 plac+ x on ! gr\nd to be
 trodd5 ^u1 puts 8 ?umb on ! draw+1 &   
!reby gets an inv]se pr9t ( x on ! ball 
( 8 ?umb4 ,! tile is p[d]$ & ! h& held  
palm upw>ds ov] x4 ,:5 turn+ !          
assi/ant's h& palm d[nw>ds1 ! conjuror  
does s ) 8 f+]s at ! back ( ! assi/ant's
 h& & ! ?umb on ! clean palm1 leav+ !   

impr9t ( ! ,swa/ika ^u x4 ,a rub ) 8    
?umb on 8 g>m5t1 or ! gr\nd1 removes    
in/antly all trace ( ! m$ium betwe5 !   
tile & ! assi/ant's palm4 ,*>coal mu/ be
 us$ z x is s(t to write ) & gives ! be/
 impr9ts4 ,an ,,hh p5cil = in/ance1     
might d1 b ! impr9t w\ld be h>dly       
visible on ! palm4  ,i consid] ?is      
little trick to be "o ( ! mo/ my/ify+ ( 
! ,indian conjuror4     ,,! ,,egg ,,bag 
,an effective little trick usually      
foll[s t ( ! ,cut & ,re/or$ ,/r+ 9 ! =m 
( an egg be+ put into a small bag4 ,a   
magic pass is made ov] ! m\? ( ! bag1   
:i* is !n turn$ inside out1 /amp$ ^u if 
necess>y1 & slapp$ all ov] to %[ t x is 
q empty & t ! egg has disappe>$4 ,at w1 
& ) ano!r magic pass1 ! egg reappe>s f !
 bag :5 x is turn$ ov]1 m\? d[nw>ds4    
,illu/ration3 ,%ah ,mahomm$ p]=m+ ! ,egg
 bag trick4  ,! secret lies 9 ! fact t !
 bag1 :i* is ( "s opaque mat]ial1 & is  
n9e in*es deep & six in*es broad1 has "o
 ( its sides d\ble4 ,! easie/ way to    
make su* a bag is to take a piece ( clo?

 six in*es broad & #bd in*es long4 ,fold
 six in*es ( "o end ov] & !n turn ! o!r 
end to :]e ! clo? has be5 fold$4 ,/it*  
up ei!r side1 ?us mak+ a bag4  ,:5 ! egg
 is put 91 x drops to ! bottom ( ! bag4 
,:5 ! p]=m] dips 8 h& 9 aga9 to take out
 ! egg1 9 do+ s he slips x into ! pocket
 =m$ inside1 & leaves x !re1 br++ 8 h&  
out empty & f :i* ! egg has disappe>$4  
,! bag be+ turn$ inside out does n      
expose ! egg :i* is 9 ! inn] pocket4 ,:5
 tread+ on or slapp+ ! bag1 c>e %\ld (  
c\rse be tak5 to miss ! egg4     ,,*apt]
 ,,vii  ,,! ,,danc+ ,,duck   ,z 8 la/   
trick 0 ) wat] ! ,jadoo-wallah s5sibly  
en\gh proce$s to %[ ano!r ) wat]1 ?\gh  
an ,engli% conjuror w\ld sep>ate su*    
tricks f an arti/ic po9t ( view1 ?9k+ t 
a *ange ( diet 9 magic is j z necess>y z
 x is 9 a meal4 ,! trick is t ( ! danc+ 
duck4  ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,danc+ ,,duck1
  p]=m$ ) an enamel b[l in/ead ( !      
cocoa-nut %ell4  ,a half cocoa-nut %ell 
is dug out ( ! bag4 ,x is wrapp$ up 9 a 
piece ( clo? & v c>efully unfold$1 =    

reasons t w be app>5t lat]4 ,9 ?is %ell 
is a little wood5 duck4 ,! %ell is plac$
 on ! gr\nd & fill$ ) wat] ^u :i* ! duck
 floats4 ,! p]=m] takes 8 tom tom & :ile
 play+ x ! duck beg9s to dance1 z x 71  
^u ! wat]4 ,aft] an int]val x is comm&$ 
to pay its obeisances or 9 o!r words1 to
 salaam1 :i* x does by go+ "r "u wat]4  
,on ! ^w bas x comes up aga94 ,& s =? & 
s on4  ,x is a clev] little trick & we w
 n[ see h[ x is done4  ,! cocoa-nut %ell
 has a hole ?r\gh ! bottom ( x4 ,?r\gh  
?is hole passes a horse hair t is atta*$
 at "o end to ! duck & at ! o!r to a    
piece ( bees wax4 ,! hair is ab\t two   
feet long4 ,! :ole app>atus is wrapp$ 9 
a piece ( clo? z o!rwise ! horse hair   
w\ld get unw\nd & brok54 ,:5 plac+ x on 
! gr\nd1 ! bees wax enables ! p]=m] to  
see :]e ! end ( ! hair is :5 unw\nd4 ,! 
%ell is fill$ ) wat]1 "s be+ c>elessly  
spilt to prev5t ! leakage ?r\gh ! little
 hole at ! bottom be+ too noticeable4   
,:5 pick+ up 8 tom-tom ! p]=m] also     
picks up ! bees wax1 & atta*+ x to !    

tom-tom ! arrangem5ts are complete4     
,br++ ! tom-tom clos] to ! body makes ! 
duck dive "u wat]4 ,! ord9>y %ak+ ( !   
drum makes ! duck dance4  ,?is is n a   
trick t c be conv5i5tly %ewn by         
,europeans1 because ( ! inconv5i5ce (   
do+ x on ! gr\nd4 ,! leakage ( ! wat] is
 n s app>5t on ! e>?1 :i* hides ! horse 
hair4 ,b at a small di/ance ! trick c be
 done on a table1 z ! horse hair is q   
invisible at a range ( five feet1       
especially :5 x is aga9/ a d>k back     
gr\nd4 ,x c be easily made or b\ght = a 
few annas1 & ) good patt] pres5ts a neat
 little aft] d9n] exp]im5t4  ,! ,mango  
,tree ,trick4  ,to my m9d x is amaz+ :at
 a spuri\s reputation ?is trick has     
ga9$4 ,f a te*nical po9t ( view1 x is   
possibly ! wor/ p]=mance ( ! ,indian    
conjuror4 ,f a physiological po9t ( view
 ! gullibility ( ! audi5ce is a/\nd+4   
,:]ev] "o goes 9 ,engl&1 ,france or     
,am]ica1 9 fact any:]e out ( ,india1 & !
 conv]sation turns to ,magic1 "o is ask$
 ab\t ! ,mango ,tree trick1 & :e!r "o   

has se5 x done4 ,i h he>d ! mo/         
gorge\sly elaborat$ descriptions ( ?is  
trick1 giv5 n only by p]sons :o _h he>d 
ab\t x b1 ,i regret to say1 by p]sons :o
 said t !y _h se5 x done4 ,on "o        
occasion on bo>d %ip a ,eurasian1 :o    
hail$ f ---- & indulg$ 9 ! ,mahomm$an "n
 ( ,macph]son1 gave me ! foll[+ details 
( ! trick z he _h se5 x p]=m$1 ( c\rse  
_m _m ye>s ago4 ,:5 he 0 only two ye>s  
old ,i expect4  ,a conjuror came into ! 
comp\nd1 & my fa!r told him to cle> out4
 ,! man1 h[ev]1 p]si/$ 9 rema9+1 say+ t 
he _h some?+ v wond]ful to %[ u4 ,my    
fa!r ev5tually agre$ to wat* ! p]=mance4
 ,we all sat d[n on ! v]&ah1 :i* 0 (    
solid concrete1 & ! ,jadoo-wallah took  
(f 8 dhoti or lo9 clo?1 & squatt$ 9     
front ( u4 ,he produc$ a mango /one &   
put x "u "s loose e>?1 :i* he _h ga!r$  
up f our own g>d54 ,he play$ on 8 flute1
 & z he did s ! /one began to spr\t     
until ! little %rub 0 ab\t two in*es    
high4 ,he !n wat]$ x a little & aga9    
began play+ ! mo/ beautiful music to x4 

,! little plant grew high] & high] z he 
did s1 until x 0 q two feet high ) a    
numb] ( leaves ^u x4 ,he !n wat]$ x a   
second "t1 & aga9 play$ 8 flute until ! 
tree 0 f\r feet high ) fruit on x4 ,he  
!n /opp$ 8 music & cut "o ( ! mangoes (f
 ! tree1 :i* my fa!r ate & f\nd to be   
delici\s4  ,t 0 ,macph]son's /ory4  ,i h
 nev] se5 ! trick done ?is way1 & d n "k
 ( anyone :o has4 ,b ,i h an explanation
 to give4 ,9 fact f\r explanations4 ,^! 
are3--  ,t ,macph]son & ,b>on ,mu5*aus5 
7 relations4  ,t ,macph]son's c\s9 0    
,l\is de ,r\gem5t4  ,t ! trick z above 0
 expla9$ to me late at night1 aft]      
,macph]son _h _h "o or two4  ,t x 0 nev]
 done at all4 ,( c\rse ,i d n want to   
call ,macph]son a li>4 ,x w\ld be rude4 
,he is a bigg] man ?an ,i am1 & he might
 meet me aga94  ,i w n[ describe ! mango
 trick z ,i h se5 x p]=m$ _m _m times4  
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,prelim9>y ,,/age ,,(
 ,,! ,,mango ,,tree ,,trick  z %ewn by  
,%ah ,mahomm$4  ,! ,jadoo-wallah1 sitt+ 
"u ! por* & n ^u a concrete v]&ah1 heaps

 up "s e>? 9 front ( him4 ,he wets ?is  
until x has ! consi/5cy ( mud4 ,he !n   
places 9 ?is little m\nd a mango /one & 
cov]s ! :ole ) a clo?4 ,he plays ! bean 
& takes away ! clo? :5 ! heap is f\nd to
 be z be=e4 ,he takes ! lid ( 8 basket1 
& cov]+ x ) ! clo?1 places x ov] ! heap 
( mud propp+ up "o end ( x1 t t[>ds     
himself1 ) a little piece ( /ick4 ,m    
bean4 ,he !n takes away ! lid & clo?4   
,/ill no result4 ,he puts back ! cov]+  
aga94 7,i am go+ to call ?is po9t ,a =  
my explanation47 ,aft] a c]ta9 am\nt (  
manipulation1 dur+ :i* is he>d ! ru/l+ (
 leaves1 he lifts x up & ,lo6 & behold6 
!re is a small plant 9 view4 ,he        
adm9i/]s to x ) wat] & adju/s its       
leaves4 ,he aga9 goes ?r\gh ! same      
p]=mance z above4 ,ea* "t t he takes    
away ! basket cov] ! tree has gr[n l>g]4
 ,! mo/ develop$ f9ale t ,i h se51 is :5
 ! tree 0 ab\t two feet high ) a numb] (
 leaves & two dim9utive unripe mangoes  
on x4  ,my explanation w rob ^? :o l to 
imag9e t magic pure & simple1 acc\nts = 

! ,mango ,tree trick ( a great deal ( _!
 enjoym5t 9 t belief4  ,! mak+ ( ! loose
 e>? into a mud pie is necess>y1        
because1 o!rwise ! bits ( bran*es t are 
to be /uck into x f "t to "t w n /&     
upright4  ,at ! po9t ,a ref]r$ to above1
 :5 ! p]=m] takes ! basket lid away1 ) !
 clo? he picks up a small bundle by 8   
side :i* conta9s a small piece ( a mango
 twig ) two or ?ree leaves ^u x4 ,"u    
cov] ( ! replac$ lid he undoes ! bundle1
 gets out ! twig1 & /icks x into ! mud  
heap press+ x firmly d[n1 s t x /&s     
erect & appe>s to h gr[n !re4 ,he plays 
a little music & c>ries away ! lid1 & ) 
x ! empty rag t conta9$ ! twig4 ,he     
places ! lid on ! gr\nd & s gets rid ( !
 rag4 ,:ile 8 audi5ce are %[+ _!        
surprise at ! developm5t ( ! twig1 he   
picks up /ill ano!r l>g] bundle conta9+ 
a /ill bigg] bran* ( a mango tree4 ,he  
replaces ! lid1 & "u cov] ( x unfolds ! 
bundle1 gets out ! bran*1 adds x to !   
twig already 9 ! mud heap & makes all   
secure by aga9 press+ d[n ! mud4        

,illu/ration3 ,,conclusion ,,( ,,!      
,,mango ,,tree ,,trick4  ,f9ally he     
plants 9 ! same way1 ! bran* :i* has    
possibly two mangoes ^u x4 ,x might ev5 
h ripe fruit1 ! means ( gett+ !m !re be+
 j ! same1 ?\gh ! ripe fruit be+ br\ght 
to view w ( c\rse dep5d ^u ! season ( ! 
ye> at :i* ! trick is be+ %ewn4  ,:5 !  
necess>y monet>y subscription t foll[s  
?is trick has be5 complet$1 !           
,jadoo-wallah sweeps ! bran*es1 e>?1 &  
all away 9 "o fell de/ructive swoop :i* 
does n all[ 8 audi5ce to asc]ta9 :e!r or
 no ! tree _h any roots4  ,occasionally1
 in/ead ( ! basket lid1 ! magician uses 
?ree /icks ti$ toge!r 9 ! =m ( a tripod 
ov] :i* he places 8 clo? "u :i* he works
 8 my/]ies4 ,?is 0 ! me?od ( ,ghaus     
,mahomm$4  ,_m ( my read]s may say t !  
above _c be ! explanation ( ! trick4    
,all ,i c say is1 t ! next "t !y see !  
mango trick be+ p]=m$1 let !m take a    
copy ( ?is little book & ref] to x z !  
trick progresses1 :5 ,i feel confid5t t 
!y w accept ?is true & only explanation4

  ,if !y are /ill unbeliev]s1 or r      
believ]s 9 ! real ,magic ( ! trick1 let 
!m (f] untold gold to any man :o w d !  
,mango ,tree trick 9 ,india 9 ,janu>y1  
or ,febru>y1 culm9at+ 9 ! tree hav+ ripe
 or unripe fruit ^u x4 ,z f> z ,i "k1 ! 
,mango ,tree does n give fruit 9 ^! two 
mon?s & ! money w nev] be =feit$4  ,n[ t
 we "k ! explanation1 does x n /rike !  
read] z amaz+ t su* a crude1 simple     
trick %\ld h ga9$ ! reputation x has    
done4 ,i c only attribute ! fact to     
p]sons l our ,mahomm$an & ,scot* fri5d  
,macph]son1 :o tell travell]'s y>ns     
until !y 9 "t beg9 to believe !m        
!mselves4     ,,*apt] ,,viii  ,,!       
,,basket ,,trick   ,:5 we discuss$ !    
,mango ,tree trick1 ,i comm5t$          
unfav\rably ^u ! v]acity ( our fri5d    
,macph]son4 ,let me "h /ate def9itely t 
!re is no su* p]son z f> z ,i "k1 ?\gh !
 description ( ! trick z ,i h giv5 x1 0 
relat$ to me ^w = ^w 9 ! smok+ room ( an
 outw>d b\nd %ip4 ,x 0 capp$ by "s "o   
say+ t !y _h se5 ! tree gr[n )\t e>?1 on

 ! deck ( a /eam] on its way to         
,au/ralia4 ,i make no comm5t on ?is     
v]sion ( ! ,mango ,tree trick4 ,!re are 
_m p :o describe tricks to me & ask h[  
!y c\ld h be5 done4 ,"s ( ^! baffle all 
explanation4 ,!y are s m>vell\s1 t ,i am
 conv9c$ t !y h nev] be5 done & c\ld    
nev] be p]=m$4  ,su* tricks z describ$  
to me are usually ! fruit ( a vivid     
imag9ation1 pure & simple4 ,z an in/ance
 ( ?is1 ,i w relate an incid5t t happ5$ 
"s "t ago 9 ,calcutta4 ,i gave a        
p]=mance 9 a public place 9 :i* ,i did a
 billi>d ball trick4 ,9 ! trick1 !      
greate/ numb] ( billi>d balls t ,i h at 
any "o "t 9 my h&s is two4 ,?r\gh\t !   
:ole ( ! trick ,i use no m ?an "o r$1   
two :ite1 & two small] :ite balls4 ,five
 9 all4 ,aft] ! p]=mance1 ,i 0 hav+ a   
well e>n$ dr9k1 :5 a complete /rang] to 
me ask$ if ,i _h se5 t *ap :o did !     
tricks4 ,i c\ld tru?fully answ] no & did
 s4 ,he 0 an absolute m>vel1 said !     
/rang] !re he 0 on ! /age 9 ev5+ dress )
 bo? arms b>$ 7,i nev] b>e my arms7 & he

 produc$ ! :ole set ( pool balls1 e s+le
 col\r ( !m4 ,?is 0 said to me )9 t5    
m9utes ( my hav+ p]=m$ ! trick1 & ! five
 balls t ,i us$ _h be5 exagg]at$ into   
sixte5 or sev5te54 ,i =get h[ _m balls  
are us$ at ! game ( ,pool4  ,! ,fr5*    
,police tru?fully say t no two untra9$  
p]sons c describe accurately 9 detail a 
sc5e witness$ an h\r previ\sly4 ,i am   
sure t all our ,indian judges c v]ify   
?is /atem5t4 ,x c be easily prov$ by any
 "o ( my read]s try+ ) 8 fri5ds4 ,x is  
?is inability to accurately describe :at
 has be5 se5 t assi/s ! conjuror s mu* 9
 deceiv+ 8 audi5ce4 ,x is ?is inability 
:i* un=tunately results 9 rum\rs be+    
spread ( wond]ful p]=mances be+ giv5 by 
magicians 9 di/ant l&s1 notably ! ,rope 
trick1 ) :i* ,i w deal lat]4 ,su* rum\rs
 & /ories are />t$ by p]sons :o f       
bravado w swe> t !y h se5 ?is1 t1 & !   
o!r1 9 ord] g5]ally to be ! c5tre ( _!  
a/\nd$ li/5]s4  ,a trick t is mo/       
frequ5tly describ$ is t kn[n z ! ,basket
 trick1 :i* is 9 my op9ion ! *ef        

d'oeuvre ( ! ,indian ,jadoo-wallah4 ,x  
is a wond]ful bluff usually wond]fully  
%ewn4  ,a p]fectly good basket is plac$ 
on ! gr\nd4 ,x is %ewn to be q empty &  
devoid ( any trap1 false bottoms or o!r 
me*anism4 ,aft] a well conduct$         
alt]cation ) 8 assi/ant1 a small boy1 ! 
p]=m] tells him to get into ! basket4 ,!
 boy attempts to d s1 b f9ds t x is too 
small to conta9 m ?an 8 feet & legs     
d\bl$ up4 ,! ,jadoo-wallah presses =w>d 
! little boy's head & ?is leaves only 8 
%\ld]s & back visible4 ,a l>ge clo? (   
?ick texture is !n ?r[n ov] ! little boy
 :o is half 9 & half out ( ! basket1 & !
 lid is balanc$ on top ( all4 ,a little 
m alt]cation ensues :5 ! ,mae/ro takes a
 big /ick & aims a mighty bl[ at !      
basket4 ,z ! bl[ falls ! lid s9ks d[n on
 to ! top ( ! basket1 & a t]rible sil5ce
 is ! result4  ,! ,jadoo-wallah realises
 t he has kill$ 8 assi/ant1 &1 if a good
 %[man1 bewails 8 lot suitably4 ,he !n  
decides to get rid ( ! body &1 9 "s     
cases1 to re/ore x to life aga94 ,9 ord]

 to %[ t a tune on ! bean has ! requir$ 
effect ( mak+ ! body disappe>1 he lifts 
! lid ( ! basket & fir/ ) "o foot & !n !
 o!r /eps on to ! clo? cov]+ ! basket & 
presses x d[n to ! bottom4 ,!re is no?+ 
9 ! basket6  ,to fur!r prove ! empt9ess 
( ! basket he replaces ! lid1 ?r\gh !   
middle ( :i* !re is a hole1 & ?r\gh ?is 
hole ?ru/s d[n 9 all directions a sword4
 ,occasionally he ?ru/s x ?r\gh ! sides4
 ,!re is no?+ 9 ! basket4 ,! body has   
disappe>$4  ,?is ends ! trick1 ?\gh on  
occasions ! p]=m] ord]s ! lad to        
re-appe> f ! end ( ! g>d51 or else:]e4  
,! collection is made1 ! basket is hit*$
 up on ! %\ld] pole & ) 8 bag ( tricks !
 ,jadoo-wallah moves on to ! next       
bungal[4 ,h[ c x be done8  ,illu/ration 
,fir/ let u note c>efully ! %ape ( !    
basket4 ,x is oblong1 ab\t two feet high
 ) a bulge 9 all its sides1 s t ! bottom
 ( ! basket is l>g] ?an ! top4  ,:5 !   
boy gets into ! basket he places bo?    
feet into x & sits d[n1 fill+ ! basket  
?us3--  ,illu/ration  ,:5 ! p]=m] pu%es 

8 head =w>d ! boy gets into ?is         
position3--  ,illu/ration  ,! clo? is !n
 ?r[n ov] all1 ! boy & ! basket1 & :ile 
! lid is be+ plac$ on top1 & !          
alt]cation cont9ues1 ! boy gets into ?is
 position1 hold+ ! basket lid up ) "o   
h&4  ,illu/ration  ,! lid ( ! basket be+
 held up l ?is causes ! audi5ce to ?9k t
 8 =m] position is unalt]$4  ,if "o 7 to
 take away ! clo? & look inside ! basket
 "o w\ld see ! boy ly+ some?+ l ?is4    
,illu/ration  ,! p]=m] takes away ! lid 
:i* ! boy has all[$ to s9k into its     
prop] place aft] ! t]rible bl[ ) ! big  
/ick1 & to %[ ! empt9ess ( ! basket1    
puts 8 feet into ! basket1 betwe5 ! body
 & b5t up legs ( ! boy1 & sits d[n on   
top ( ! assi/ant4 ,by do+ s he pu%es !  
clo? d[n close on to ! boy4  ,he !n gets
 out aga91 replaces ! lid & ?ru/s !     
sword ?r\gh ! hole 9 ! lid twi/+ x 9 all
 directions4 ,7 x n = ! ?ickness ( !    
clo?1 :i* is by n[ close to ! body ( !  
boy by reason ( ! p]=m] hav+ press$ x   
d[n by sitt+ 9 ! basket1 ! sword w\ld   

c]ta9ly hurt ! little *ap4 ,incid5tally 
! sword is none too %>p4  ,! sword is   
)drawn & pu%$ ?r\gh ! sides1 above !    
body ( ! boy4  ,! basket is prov$       
und5iably empty4  ,if my read]s d\bt ?is
 explanation1 let !m (f] !              
,jadoo-wallah1 at ?is /age ( ! game1 two
 ?\s& rupees to be all[$ to fire a ,no4 
#h c>tridge f a #ab bore gun f a range (
 ?irty y>ds at ! empty basket4 ,! p]=m] 
w n accept ! (f] unless he values ! boy 
at less ?an two ?\s& rupees & has a good
 *ance ( escap+ arre/ = murd]4 ,i h (f]$
 x twice ) impunity4  ,! trick divides  
into two end+s4 ,"o c always tell :i*   
end+ x w h by a glance at ! basket4 ,if 
x has two ropes :i* pass und]nea? x1    
p]man5tly atta*$1 ! bett+ is t ! boy w  
appe> f ! end ( ! g>d54 ,! reason ( ?is 
is t aft] ! re-appe>ance ( ! boy--a     
duplicate ( ! "o 9 ! basket--! p]man5t  
ropes on ! basket all[ x to be hit*$ up 
on ! %\ld] pole & c>ri$ away1 ) !       
disappe>$ boy /ill inside x4 ,:5 !      
,jadoo-wallah gets r\nd ! corn]1 !      

little assi/ant gets out :ile 8         
imp]sonator goes a r\nd ab\t way into ! 
next comp\nd ready to re-appe> at ! end 
( ! next p]=mance ( ! trick4  ,if !     
basket has no ropes atta*$ to x1 odds   
are on ! p]=mance end+ by ! magician    
apologis+ pr(usely to 8 ,gods :o re/ore 
! boy f ! dep?s ( ! basket aga94 ,!     
p]=m] 9 ?is case has no duplicate1 & !  
trick if well pres5t$ is almo/ z        
effective z ! o!r1 ) ! m elaborate end+4
     ,,*apt] ,,ix  ,,! ,,indian ,,rope  
,,trick   ,we h n[ gone ?r\gh ! av]age  
p]=mance ( ! ,indian ,jadoo-wallah & h1 
,i tru/1 "s idea at any rate ( h[ 8     
tricks are done4 ,?\gh ?is is z f> z ,i 
"k ! fir/ "t t su* explanations h be5   
publi%$ 9 detail ,i d n want anyone to  
accuse me ( try+ to deprive ! poor fell[
 ( 8 means ( livelihood1 :i* is f> f my 
int5tion4 ,9 fact1 ?\gh p :o h read ^!  
pages h a glimm]+ ( h[ he does 8 tricks1
 few ( ^! w be able to imitate !m1 & ^? 
:o are really int]e/$ w probably call 9 
! next ,jadoo-wallah t appe>s1 to get   

him to give 8 %[ ) ! int5tion ( *eck+ my
 explanations :ile ! tricks are be+     
p]=m$4 ,i s9c]ely tru/ t ?is w be ! case
 z ,i %all h done at lea/ "o            
,jadoo-wallah a good turn4  ,x is true t
 conjurors h a code ( hon\r--?is may n  
be believ$ ( su* deceptive p--9 t !y d n
 divulge ea* o!rs tricks :i* are p]=m$  
exclusively4 ,= in/ance1 suppose t ,mr4 
,a inv5t$ a new trick & %[$ x to ,mr4   
,b1 :o is also a f9i%$ arti/4 ,?\gh ,mr4
 ,b c\ld see ! modus op]&i ( ! trick he 
w\ld be q unju/ifi$ 9 giv+ x away or 9  
do+ ! trick himself )\t ! p]mission (   
,mr4 ,a4 ,?is is an inviolate law (     
,memb]s ( ! ,magic ,circle & applies    
equally1 or %\ld d1 to %[m5 :o d n      
belong to ! circle4  ,!re is no h>m1    
h[ev]1 9 "o ( u expla9+ tricks t h be5  
p]=m$ = c5turies & are almo/ common     
prop]ty4 ,^! tricks h lo/1 z x 71 _!    
pat5t rights4 ,p]sonally1 ,i d n m9d    
expla9+ any tricks ( my own t ,i am     
c]ta9 an unskill$ p]son c\ld nev]       
possibly d4  ,hav+ complet$ ! av]age    

programme ( our ,jadoo-wallah1 ,i feel  
sure t p w say to ea* o!r ,yes b :at    
ab\t ! ,rope trick8 ,he _c expla9 t &   
has avoid$ ! be/ kn[n trick ( all       
,indian conjur+ tricks4  ,9 self-def5ce 
!re=e1 we w deal ) ! ,great ,rope trick4
 ,i w describe x z x has be5 describ$ to
 me4  ,! p]=m]1 9 "o's own comp\nd1 ?r[s
 up ! end ( an ord9>y rope into ! air4  
,by "s my/]i\s means ?is end rema9s     
susp5d$ 9 mid-air1 )\t any visible means
 ( support1 s mu* s t ! little boy      
assi/ant climbs up ! rope to its v      
highe/ po9t1 :5ce1 aft] an int]val1 he  
entirely disappe>s4 ,! p]=m] !n takes a 
sword & waves x 9 ! air1 :5 ! legs &    
arms1 disjo9t$1 & f9ally ! trunk & head 
( ! little boy fall ) a pr(usion ( blood
 ^u ! gr\nd at ! foot ( ! rope4 ,by     
means ( an incantation ^! resume _!     
natural positions1 & ! little boy gets  
up & walks (f1 app>5tly none ! worse = 8
 mo/ try+ ordeal4  ,?is trick 0 fir/    
describ$ 9 writ+ by "o ,,ibn ,,batuta1  
an ,arab1 :o made a j\rney r\nd ! _w    

ab\t ! ye> #acfh4 7,i am n q sure ( ?is 
date74 ,z f> z ,i rememb] he saw x 9    
,*9a4 ,he gives ! mo/ blood curdl+      
description ( ! trick1 & ends up ) s mu*
 s t we _h to h ano!r dr9k4 ,please note
 ! expression ano!r dr9k4 ,i am ( op9ion
 t ?is o!r little dr9k did all ! h>m4   
,mission>ies h f "t to "t /at$ t !y h   
se5 ?is trick p]=m$1 ?\gh 9 no in/ance d
 !y give ! place or ! "n ( ! wond]ful   
man :o did x4  ,al?\gh ,i h be5 mo/     
anxi\s to see ! trick = ! la/ tw5ty-?ree
 ye>s1 dur+ :i* p]iod ,i w\ld gladly h  
travell$ f "o end ( ,india to ! o!r to d
 s1 ,i h nev] yet met anyone :o has     
def9itely told me t he ) 8 own eyes _h  
se5 ! trick4 ,!re is "o exception to ?is
 /atem5t1 an ,iri% b&ma/] ( a ,gurkha   
regim5t1 :o 0 ,i ?9k1 try+ to pull my   
leg4  ,i h met innum]able p ^: aunt's   
si/]'s c\s9 saw x done1 b nev] h ,i _h !
 pleasure ( meet+ anyone directly       
deceiv$ by x4  ,a rew>d ( a ye>'s pay   
has be5 op5 to e sepoy 7or ,indian      
soldi]7 ,i h met1 :o has se5 ! trick & c

 give me ! "n & resid5ce ( ! p]=m]4 ,?is
 = #bc ye>s4 ,s f> !re h be5 no         
acceptances4  ,em95t conjurors h        
travell$ ?r\gh\t ,india on purpose to   
get into t\* ) any man :o does ! trick1 
b _! travels h be5 9 va94 ,l>ge rew>ds h
 be5 (f]$ = su* a meet+1 & l>g] /ill = !
 p]=mance ( ! trick4 ,"o s+le p]=mance  
only1 n ! exposition ( x4 ,^! rew>ds h  
nev] be5 claim$4 ,! late ,mr4 ,*>les    
,b]tram 0 "o ( ^! em95t m51 & ?\gh he   
travell$ twice ?r\gh\t ,india1 he       
return$ to ,engl& )\t hav+ be5 %ewn !   
trick4  ,9 #aiah1 ,capta9 ,holmes1      
,v4,c41 gave a lecture on ?is illusion  
be=e ! memb]s ( ! ,magic ,circle at     
,&]ton's ,hotel1 ,fleet ,/reet1 ,london1
 at :i* all ! press correspond5ts ( !   
lead+ news-pap]s 7 pres5t4 ,he produc$ a
 snap%ot ( a man purport+ to be %[+ !   
,rope ,trick 9 ,poona1 or ,kirkee1 "o ( 
its suburbs4 ,capta9 ,holmes expla9$ t  
?\gh ! boy did climb up :at he 7,holmes7
 ?\ght 0 a rope1 he did n disappe> at ! 
top1 nor did ! disgu/+ exhibition (     

blood & disjo9t$ limbs take place4 ,?is 
snap%ot 0 c>efully exam9$ ?r\gh a p[]ful
 magnify+ glass1 & ! suppos$ rope _h    
di/9ct jo9ts 9 x simil> to any bamboo   
pole1 :i* ,japanese juggl]s use :5 %[+ !
 feat ( balanc+ a pole on _! *9s & all[+
 a boy to climb to its top4 ,a trick t  
mo/ ( u h se5 _m times 9 ! music halls (
 ,london4 ,at 8 lecture1 ,capta9 ,holmes
 /at$ t he did n see ! man ?r[ ! rope up
 into ! air1 z he arriv$ late j 9 "t to 
take a photo ( ! boy :ile 9 ! air4  ,_m 
explanations h be5 giv5 f "t to "t z to 
h[ ?is my?ical trick has be5 done4 ,!   
mo/ amus+ is t :i* 0 quot$ at ! ,mass   
,meet+ ref]r$ to above1 & z f> z my     
memory goes ,i w quote x "h4  ,! trick  
is p]=m$ dur+ ! heat ( ! day1 :5 ! sun  
is at its z5i?4 ,! p]=m] gets 8 audi5ce 
to sit 9 a v]&ah fac+ ! mo/ p[]ful gl>e 
( ! sun4 ,! rope is ?r[n up & ! boy     
climbs to its topmo/ end4 ,on !         
explosion ( a gun ! boy completely      
disappe>s only to re-appe> f ! o!r side 
( ! h\se or g>d54  ,! explanation is    

simple1 on ! s\nd ( ! gun1 :5 ! audi5ce 
are some:at />tl$1 ! boy jumps f ! rope 
on to ! top ( ! v]&ah up :i* he climbs1 
com+ d[n ! o!r side ( ! h\se &          
re-appe>s4  ,i make no comm5t on ?is    
explanation4 ,x is n wor?y ( "o4  ,x is 
done by mesm]ism4 ,h[ _m times h ,i he>d
 ?is futile rem>k :5 discuss+ ! ,rope   
trick4 ,:at always defeats me is ?is4   
,suppos+ x c\ld be done by mesm]ism1 :y 
does ?is wond]ful mesm]i/1 hypnoti/1 or 
sugge/ioni/ limit 8 p[]s1 m>vell\s z !y 
are1 to mak+ p believe t !y see a boy   
climb up a rope4  ,:y does he n make p  
believe t he is ,mahatma ,gh&i & ! ,ali 
bro!rs roll$ into "o8 ,z ! trick is done
 = a means ( livelihood1 :y does he n   
make p see him z ,dr4 ,b>n>do ask+ =    
funds = *>ities4 ,8 limitations are     
unb\nd$1 yet he /icks to ?is absurd rope
 & ! boy climb+ up x4  ,tum tua res     
agito p>ies cum proximus ardet4 ,i d n  
"k :at ?is ,lat9 quotation means1 b ,i  
w\ld l x to convey don't y ?9k x rot    
y\rself8  ,ask any m$ical man ab\t !    

explanation ( hypnotism & k9dr$ o!r isms
 be+ acc\ntable = ! p]=mance ( ?is      
trick4 ,i und]/& t a hypnoti/ c p]suade 
a pati5t to believe t 8 f+] is mom5t>ily
 /iff1 & t :5 releas$ f ?is sugge/ion1 !
 pati5t c rememb] t x _h be5 made to    
him4 ,b 9 ord] to p]suade a p]son t he  
sees su* a ?+ z a rope be+ ?r[n 9 ! air 
& s =?1 t p]son mu/ be s mu* "u !       
influ5ce t :5 he is releas$ f x he is   
totally unable to rememb] :at he saw :5 
"u ! trance4 ,h[ !n1 c he describe :at  
he saw :5 he comes to8  ,"s p say t     
photos h be5 tak5 ( ! trick & t :5 !    
plate 0 develop$ x 0 f\nd to be blank4  
,z ,i say1 a p]son to be suffici5tly    
mesm]is$ to imag9e t he sees ! trick be+
 done1 mu/ p]=ce be s mu* "u ! influ5ce 
t he _c rememb] :at he saw or any?+ t he
 did :5 "u t influ5ce4 ,h[ does he "k t 
he took a photo8 ,or t anyone else took 
"o8 ,or rememb] any?+ at all ab\t x8  ,i
 hope t ! above argum5ts w d away ) !   
plea ( mesm]ic p[] be+ acc\ntable = ?is 
my?4 ,! plea is to my m9d too absurd =  

words1 yet x is wond]ful t _m p put x   
=w>d 9 all good fai?4  ,:ile on !       
subject ( photography1 let me n[ po9t   
out t al?\gh ! magicians ( ,europe &    
,am]ica h = ages be5 try+ to get 9 t\* )
 ! trick1 & al?\gh ! ubiquit\s ,kodak   
has be5 9 vogue = at lea/ ?irty ye>s1 n 
"o s+le photo or snap%ot is available t 
depicts any "p or portion ( ?is trick4  
,if !re is su* a snap%ot1 & its own]    
c>es to communicate ) me ?r\gh my       
publi%]s1 ,i c get him a good price = ! 
plate or film1 ev5 = a copy ( ! picture4
 ,a really h&some price = x4  ,to sum up
 ,i ma9ta9 t ! trick has nev] be5 p]=m$ 
out ( doors4 ,t is to say t a rope ?r[n 
up into ! air has n rema9$ susp5d$ 9    
mid-air1 nor has any boy ev] climb$ up  
x4 ,t :5 at ! top he has n disappe>$ & t
 aft] 8 disappe>ance he did n come d[n 9
 bits1 cov]$ ) blood or o!rwise4  ,i    
fur!r ma9ta9 t no "o has se5 ?is trick1 
z describ$ above1 or 9 any way simil> to
 ! above description1 :o c come =w>d to 
give ! approximate date1 ( su* a        

p]=mance1 ! place1 & ! names ( ! p]=m]1 
8 assi/ants1 or ( any two o!r p]sons :o 
saw ! trick done at t "t & place4  ,i   
only wi% !re might be su* a p]son4 ,we  
might !n get 9 t\* ) ! ,indian ,rope    
trick & ,ibn ,batuta's "* might be      
v9dicat$4  ,i (f] ,rs4 #ejjj4 7,l#cjj7  
to anyone :o w %[ me ! ,rope ,trick 9 ! 
op54 ,?is am\nt w be payable to anyone  
:o w arrange t ! trick is p]=m$ = my    
b5efit1 9 my pres5ce4  ,! trick mu/ be  
simil> to ! description giv5 by ,ibn    
,batuta1 & mu/ be br\ght to a successful
 conclusion be=e ! rew>d c be claim$4 ,x
 is to be p]=m$ at a place select$ by   
me1 ei!r 9 ,india or ,engl&4  ,?is (f]  
holds good = five ye>s f ! #a/ ,janu>y1 
#aibb4  ,my address is3--  ,major ,l4   
,h4 ,branson1 ,m4,i4,m4,c41  ,! ,magic  
,circle1  ,&]ton's ,hotel1 ,fleet       
,/reet1  ,london1 ,engl&4     ,,*apt] ,x
  ,,snakes ,,& ,,crocodiles   ,! be/    
trick ,i h ev] se5 9 ,india dur+ my #bc 
ye>s 9 t c\ntry1 0 "o t 0 p]=m$         
especially = my b5efit twice be=e ,i    

tumbl$ to ! way 9 :i* x 0 done4  ,we 7 9
 our own comp\nd or g>d5 9 a milit>y    
/ation n f> f ,bombay1 hav+ tea on a    
small lawn--gre5 grass--( :i* we 7      
inord9ately pr\d4 ,sudd5ly we he>d !    
*ant] ( ! it9]ant ,jadoo-wallah1 & z    
usual ,i call$ him 9 to ask him if he _h
 any?+ new4 ,i want$ a really wond]ful  
trick4  ,yes ,saheb he repli$ ,i h      
some?+ really good1 t few sahebs h se5  
be=e4  ,:at is x said ,i1 ?or\ghly ar\s$
 by 8 e>ne/ mann]1 & hop+ t at la/ ,i   
%\ld h an opportunity ( see+ an ori5tal 
miracle wor?y ( ! spuri\s reputation    
held by ,ea/]n ,magicians4  ,x is a     
trick ) "s snakes & a crocodile said our
 fri5d & if ! saheb w sit d[n ) !       
memsaheb1 & w call ! ord]ly1 ,i w %[ x  
n[4 ,no soon] said ?an done4 ,we sat d[n
 & call$ ,aba ,nalaode1 our ,mabratta   
ord]ly4  ,illu/ration3 ,fill+ !         
,assi/ant's h&s ) e>?4  ,:ile he came f 
8 qu>t]s1 ! ,jadoo-wallah proce$$ to    
dive/ himself ( all 8 clo?+1 ) !        
exception ( 8 dhotie or lo9 clo?4 ,on ! 

arrival ( our ord]ly1 he too 0 made to  
take (f 8 %irt1 leav+ him dress$ 9 a    
simil>ly neglige mann] to our ent]ta9]4 
,! ,jadoo-wallah !n took "s e>? & made  
our ord]ly hold x 9 8 two h&s held      
toge!r 9 front ( 8 body4 ,he !n pranc$  
r\nd ! ord]ly two or ?ree times1 mak+1 z
 he did s an imag9>y circle r\nd 8      
assi/ant4 ,he next call$ our att5tion to
 ! fact t he _h no?+ conceal$ ab\t 8    
p]son4  ,illu/ration3 ,! ,p]=m] %[+ t he
 has no?+ conceal$ ab\t him4            
,illu/ration3 ,! actual mom5t ( !       
appe>ance ( ! ,snakes & ,crocodiles4    
,we c\ld see t ?is 0 s z reg>ds 8 b>e   
*e/1 arms & wai/1 & to conv9ce u t he _h
 no?+ hidd5 9 8 dhotie he %[$ u "o b>e  
leg at a "t1 avoid+ b>ely any immode/y4 
,conceal+ our blu%es1 we felt satisfi$ t
 8 dhotie 0 ! only worldly possession t 
he _h ) him at ! mom5t4 ,he pick$ up 8  
*ant] & cont9u$ to circle r\nd & r\nd   
our ord]ly1 gradually clos+ into him4   
,sudd5ly he ran t[>ds ! out/ret*$ h&s ) 
a cr\*+ movem5t & /ruck !m a sm>t bl[1  

caus+ ! ord]ly to pull 8 p>t$ h&s away &
 a small cl\d ( du/ to appe> f ! fall+  
e>?4 ,! cl\d fad$ 9 a mom5t & !re1 to   
our int5se a/oni%m5t1 on ! gr\nd at our 
reta9]s feet 7 ?ree snakes1 two ( :i* 7 
cobras1 & a baby crocodile6 ,ne$less to 
say t z soon z our ord]ly saw ^!        
unpleasant creatures wri?+ at 8 feet he 
cle>$ (f to a safe di/ance4 ,!          
,jadoo-wallah caught ! reptiles & plac$ 
!m 9 8 snake basket4 ,i took him aside &
 ask$ him to divulge ! secret ( ! trick4
  ,ha6 ,ha6 saheb said he at la/ ,i h   
%ewn y some?+ t y d n "k4 ,i w n tell y 
h[ x is done1 b w come aga9 9 a week's  
"t & w p]=m x once m = y\r b5efit4  ,i  
agre$1 & aft] ! usual remun]ation or    
buck%ee%1 ) a little extra1 _h pass$    
h&s1 away w5t our fri5d d[n ! road to ! 
baza>4  ,! foll[+ week he s5t ^w t he 0 
com+ on a p>ticul> day1 & t if ,i got "s
 fri5ds to come he w\ld repeat ! trick4 
,! m fri5ds1 ! m buck%ee%6  ,i ga!r$ a  
few p 9 to h tea1 & 9 due c\rse !       
magician arriv$1 & ) our head s]vant    

aga9 p]=m$ ! trick ) ! same wond]ful    
result4  ,?is "t ,i solv$ ! my/]y4 ,i   
told ! p]=m] my impressions ( x & 0 glad
 to get 8 corroboration4  ,!re 0 ( c\rse
 no collusion ) ! volunte] assi/ants4   
,! secret ( ! trick lies 9 a bag susp5d$
 m\? d[nw>ds f a /r+ r\nd ! magician's  
wai/ s t x lies betwe5 8 legs4 ,?is bag 
conta9$ ! ?ree snakes & ! small         
crocodile4 ,! m\? ( ! bag 0 ?read$ ) a  
/r+1 & naturally rema9$ clos$ until !   
/r+ 0 pull$ "r away :5 ! weight ( !     
wriggl+ cont5ts caus$ ! m\? to op5 & !  
reptiles to fall ^u ! gr\nd b5ea?4 ,!   
cr\*+ position ( ! magician enabl$ him  
to get 8 legs spann+ ! gr\nd imm$iately 
b5ea? ! ord]ly's h&s1 & ! e>? fall+ 9 a 
du/ prev5t$ ! possibility ( our see+ !  
snakes dur+ ! brief int]val ( _! fall+ f
 "u ! dhotie to ! gr\nd4 ,ne$less to say
 t ! cobras _h _h _! fangs extract$1 t !
 ?ird snake 0 h>mless1 & t ! baby       
crocodile 0 too small to inflict any    
damage1 ?\gh all f\r p>ticipants c\ld   
hiss l a "y /eam eng9e4  ,x 01 z ,i say1

 ! be/ trick ,i h ev] se5 9 ,india1 & f 
a magician's arti/ic po9t ( view1 !     
beauty ( x lies 9 ! fact t ! bag is     
conceal$ ?r\gh ! mode/y ( ! p]=m]1 & t 9
 consequ5ce ! trick is n likely to be   
f\nd out except by reason+ & ! c>eful   
wat*+ ( all 8 movem5ts4     ,,*apt] ,,xi
  ,,g5]alities1 ,,& ,,o!r ,,my?s4   ,?is
 little book is writt5 on ,indian       
,conjur+1 & ) ! exception ( a           
diss]tation ^u ! great ,indian ,rope    
,imag9ation1 we h conf9$ ourselves to   
tricks t we ourselves h se51 & :i* are  
common to ! ,indian conjuror4 ,x w\ld   
h[ev]1 be incomplete )\t t\*+ on "o or  
two o!r broadca/ my?s t are frequ5tly   
talk$ ab\t4  ,messrs4 ,maskelyn  ,devant
 us$ to %[ a v clev] illusion call$ !   
,new ,page1 9 :i* a page boy 0 ti$ up 9 
an upright position 9 a cab9et j l>ge   
en\gh to conta9 him4 ,! %[man !n took a 
doll--a small model ( ! page boy--&     
illu/rat$ t :atev] happ5$ to ! doll w\ld
 happ5 to ! boy 9 ! box4 ,z a conv9c+   
example he turn$ ! doll upside d[n4     

,miracul\s to relate1 :5 ! cab9et 0 op5$
 ! page boy 0 f\nd to be upside d[n ) ! 
orig9al knots & seals intact6 ,?is      
exp]im5t accord+ to ! excell5t patt] ( !
 %[man1 0 bas$ ^u ! preval5t idea t 9   
,india c]ta9 magicians make a small     
effigy ( a p]son on :om "s dire calamity
 is int5d$1 & t :atev] is done to ?is   
doll1 happ5s to ! un=tunate p]son at any
 di/ance1 b at t id5tical mom5t4 ,i am  
glad to say t ,i h nev] se5 or he>d (   
?is my? be+ v]ifi$4  ,on "o occasion a  
m$ical (fic] kn[+ t ,i 0 int]e/$ 9      
,magic1 told me t he 0 att5d+ an idiot  
girl :o 0 cov]$ ) sores & t ! common    
idea 9 ! baza> 0 t "s p]son 0 work+     
,jadoo ^u h]1 us+ ?is doll me?od ( do+  
s4 ,he k9dly all[$ me to visit ! girl ) 
him1 &1 be+ an ord9>y mortal & unus$ to 
horrible sights1 ,i 0 %ock$ at h]       
appe>ance4 ,%e _h na/y op5 sores on h]  
*eeks1 arms & =ehead4 ,%e 0 c]ta9ly an  
imbecile4 ,h] fa!r 0 adamant 9 8 belief 
t ,jadoo & no?+ else acc\nt$ = h] /ate4 
,h] imbecility 0 due1 we f\nd1 to h]    

hav+ _h a fall z a baby4 ,9 ord] to     
asc]ta9 ! cause ( ! sores ! m$ical (fic]
 remov$ h] to ! cantonm5t 7,gov]nm5t7   
hospital1 :]e aft] a p]iod !y yield$ to 
treatm5t & 7 ev5tually cur$4 ,evid5tly !
 ,jadoo _h ceas$4 ,on h] return to h]   
ance/ral hut1 ^! sores aga9 appe>$4 ,) !
 p]mission ( ! m$ical (fic] & ! p>5ts1  
,i employ$ a reliable att5dant to wat* !
 girl4 ,9 ?ree days ,i receiv$ ! foll[+ 
report4 ,! previ\s ev5+1 :5 ! girl ?\ght
 t %e 0 n be+ wat*$1 ! att5dant saw h]  
take some?+ f a hid+ place & rub h] face
 ) x two or ?ree times4 ,he wat*$ h]    
replace :atev] x 01 & lat] f\nd x4 ,he  
gave x to u ) 8 report4 ,x prov$ to be a
 piece ( nut us$ by ,dhobies or ,indian 
,wa%]m5 to m>k ! clo?+ committ$ to _!   
de/ruction-c>e1 ,i %\ld say4 ,on e      
article ( clo?+ return$ by ! ,dhobie !re
 is 9 "o corn] a small br[n m>k1        
correspond+ to ! /it*$ m>k us$ by       
,laundries 9 ,engl&1 by :i* ! own] ( !  
article wa%$ is id5tifi$4 ,?is nut is   
call$1 ,i believe1 ,areca nut4 ,:5      

appli$ to ! human sk9 x causes a sore4  
,! illness f :i* ! poor girl 0 suff]+ 0 
an incl9ation to maim or disfigure      
oneself1 commonly f\nd ) imbeciles4 7,i 
h t\*$ wood1 y m$ical p1 s please don't 
abuse me if ,i am wrong67  ,z ! p>5ts 7 
n fully conv9c$ t ,jadoo 0 n be+ work$1 
we aga9 took ! girl to hospital & aga9 0
 %e cur$ ( ! gha/ly sores4  ,?is is !   
only case ( su* ,jadoo t has come to my 
p]sonal k4  ,!re is ano!r =m ( ,jadoo t 
is believ$ 9 by ! inhabitants ( ! baza>4
 ,a malici\sly incl9$ p]son has a spite 
aga9/ ano!r4 ,he makes a small b\quet ( 
tomato leaves1 or cabbage or "s su* h]b1
 spr9kles x ) salt1 gre5 p[d]1 & s =? & 
s on1 & lays ?is d[n z close z possible 
to ! door ( ! p]son to :om he wants to  
br+ bad luck = #ab mon?s6 ,x is true t  
we _h ?is delightful b\quet ?r[n into   
our comp\nd on "o occasion1 & t %ortly  
aft]w>ds--       7#a7 our g>d5]'s wife  
di$ 9 *ildbir?4       7#b7 my wife got  
hay fev]4       7#c7 my ag5ts decl9$ to 
meet any m ( my *eques until      !y _h 

receiv$ a sub/antial in/alm5t4          
7#d7 we 7 aga9 ord]$ to move to ano!r   
,/ation4  ,i regret to say t ( ! above1 
#b1 #c & #d 7 ( su* frequ5t occurr5ce t 
we did n assign !m to ! receipt ( !     
b\quet4 ,! g>d5] h[ev]1 0 conv9c$ t x   
caus$ 8 wife to die 9 *ildbir? z %e _h  
nev] done s be=e4 ,i h no explanation = 
! d5\em5t & give ! /ory z x happ5$1     
all[+ my read]s to judge = !mselves :e!r
 or no any cr$5ce %\ld be giv5 to !     
fable aft] su* conv9c+ pro(4         99 
99       99       99       99