4. THE WATCH AND NEST OF BOXES
This trick, as generally presented, requires an assistant, but the following method can be worked singlehanded under almost any conditions. It will be found very effective.
Preparation. Three cardboard boxes, with removable lids and graded in size to fit one into the other, are required. The smallest box must be large enough to take a fair-sized bouquet of flowers.
To prepare for the trick, attach a length of ribbon to the bouquet and put this in the smallest box. Let the ribbon fall over the side to the rear and place the lid on the box. Tie this round with broad tape, making a bow knot on top so that you can untie it quickly.
Place this box inside the next in size, again letting the ribbon fall to the back. Follow exactly the same procedure with the third box; the end of the ribbon will then hang at the rear of the largest box. Cut this off about an inch below the edge of the lid and attach a small hook of soft wire to it. Thus prepared, place the nest of boxes on a table to one side of the stage or platform.
Method. To begin the experiment, borrow a watch and wrap it in a silk handkerchief, using the trick fold, already described, which leaves the watch in the palm of your left hand. Place the folded handkerchief on top of an inverted glass on your table and at the same time leave the watch behind some small object there. Show both hands empty as you announce the voyage you are about to cause the watch to make. Give the command with a tap of the wand, pick up the handkerchief and shake it out; the watch has departed.
Bring the nest of boxes forwards to this same table, again letting it be seen that your hands are empty. Finger palm the watch, slip it onto the hook at the back of the box, and proceed to untie the ribbon round the outside box. Remove the lid and lift out the second box. Put the first box on the floor and replace its lid. The watch has been lifted away with the second box and now hangs at its rear. Open this one in the same way and lift out the innermost box. Set the second box on top of the first and replace its lid.
Finally untie and open the third box. Bring out the bouquet and show the watch dangling from it at the end of the ribbon. Put the lid on this box and place it on top of the others. This procedure enhances the marvel of the three boxes having been nested, and all parts of the boxes should be shown as you put them down. It only remains to take the bouquet down to the owner of the watch and have it identified. If natural flowers are used, and you have borrowed the watch from a lady, you should present the bouquet to her after detaching the watch and the ribbon.
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