1. Through the thumb

A length of string visibly penetrates the performer's thumb. 

Loop a length of string over the left thumb as in fig. 8A.

Note how the position of the right thumb keeps the string separated. Reach down with the middle finger of the left hand and pull up the lower strand (also fig. 8A). Bring the right hand up and over to the left hand and put the opening above the right thumb over the left thumb (fig. 8B). Now slip the middle finger out of the loop which has formed around it, and then place the left forefinger on the thumb as in fig. 8C.

Give the string a quick tug and it will come free, having apparently passed through the thumb.

figure 8


2. the miraculous match folder

A hole is made in the flap of a match folder with a pencil.

A string is threaded through the hole and its ends are held by a spectator, or by two spectators. The performer throws a handkerchief over the match folder, reaches beneath it, and mysteriously removes the folder from the string.

You use two identical match folders. Prepare one in advance by poking a hole in its flap with a pencil. Then conceal it under the band of your wristwatch.

Begin the trick by displaying the duplicate folder, put a hole in its flap and thread it on a string. Don't call attention to the fact verbally, but make sure your audience sees that your hands are empty. Reach under the handkerchief and remove the threaded folder by tearing it. If you make the tear slowly you can do it silently. Push the torn folder down into the left sleeve. Get the duplicate folder from under the watch band and hang it on the string by its flap.

Bring your left hand out and lift the handkerchief up off the string. As soon as the match folder comes into view, your right hand jerks it sharply downward, free of the string. Some spectators will believe that they saw the folder visibly penetrate the string.

Toss the folder to the spectators and, while they are examining it, lower your left arm, let the hidden folder fall into your left hand, and then put it in your pocket together with the handkerchief.

3. Match folder repeat

Spectators will often ask you to repeat the same trick a second time. It is usually not wise to do this and with a trick like the one above, which requires some preparation, you arent ready to repeat, in any case. But if you can do what seems to be the same trick and use an entirely different method, you can accede to the request and leave your audience twice as mystified as before. Here's a completely different and quite impromptu method of magically removing the match folder from the string.

"This time," you say, "we'll make it twice as hard. We will double the string." Actually, as you will see, this makes it twice as easy, but it looks harder. 

figure 9

Grasp the string at the center and push the center through the hole in the folder. Then pass both ends of the string through the loop (fig. 9A). Spectators hold the ends of the string and a handkerchief is thrown over the folder.

This time all you need to do is pull the loop out until it is large enough to push the match folder through (fig. 9B).

The folder immediately comes free, and has apparently once again penetrated the string. A borrowed key or bracelet can also be removed from the string by this method.

4. The Life Saver mystery 1

A Life Saver, threaded on a string, is magically removed although both ends of the string are held by spectators.

Cut a Life Saver in half with a razor blade, apply rubber cement to the broken ends, and let it dry. Stick the two halves together again. The join will not be noticeable. Put a duplicate unprepared Life Saver and a handkerchief in your pocket.

Thread the prepared Life Saver on a length of string and have the ends held by spectators. Bring the handkerchief from your pocket, obtaining the second Life Saver at the same time and holding it concealed in the finger-palm position (fig. 3A).

"In the light, with people watching, solid objects can't pass through each other like ghosts. This Life Saver couldn't possibly fall off the string." Cover the Life Saver with the handkerchief. "But in the dark when no one can see it happen — anything is possible!"

Place both hands beneath the handkerchief, push a loop of the string through the unprepared Life Saver and over one side, as shown in fig. 10. Separate the two halves of the prepared Life Saver, and conceal them in the finger-palm position in the right hand. Bring both hands into view, lift the

figure 10

handkerchief with the right hand and put it back in your pocket, leaving the prepared Life Saver there at the same time.

"That's odd. The Life Saver went through in the wrong direction and now the string goes through it twice. You can never tell about magic; sometimes it just makes things worse. But a good magician never gives up. Let's try again."

Cover the candy with your fingers, lift the loop over the side of the Life Saver, and then suddenly pull the Life Saver straight down. It comes free. Both it and the string may be examined, because the sole clue to the mystery is safely hidden in your pocket.

5. the Life Saver mystery 2

If you are asked to perform this trick on some later occasion when you are unprepared, don't let that stop you. Use the following impromptu method.

Open a package of Life Savers, remove several, ask someone to select one and thread it on a string. Put the other Life Savers aside, but steal one and finger-palm it.

This time, under cover of the handkerchief, take the second Life Saver in your left fingers, and encircle the threaded Life Saver and string with your right hand.

Pretend for a moment that you are having trouble, then slide the right hand and the threaded Life Saver out along the string toward its right end. At the same time say, "Let me hold this end of the string and you hold the Life Saver from the outside through the cloth."

The Life Saver the spectator holds, is, of course, the unthreaded one. Bring your left hand (palm up) down into view below the handkerchief and tell him to drop the Life Saver at the count of three. It will fall into your hand. Toss it out, lift the handkerchief, and show that there is nothing on the string. Then take the handkerchief in your right hand and pocket it, leaving the other Life Saver there at the same time.