Old Fashioned Mediums' Switch

This has been used by mediums for years and among "believers" was never questioned.

Spectators write their questions on small cards, about 1" x 2-1/2". They are not sealed but are placed by the spectators, writing side downwards, on a tray held in performer's left hand. Concealed by left fingers, is a bunch of fake questions held against under side of tray.

On his return to the platform, the performer palms off the genuine questions with his right hand and slips the fake questions in their place. These are poured onto a separate stand or tabourette. The regular table has a crystal on stand with handkerchief nearby. At back of table is a secret shelf.

Performer sits down behind table, wipes off crystal, gazes into it, and pretends to get impressions from it. He simply manipulates the genuine questions on the shelf with one hand so he can secretly read them, and thus he proceeds through the whole bunch. Of course, no questions are returned. Sometimes the questions (fakes) are burned before the readings start. This looks more mysterious, and at the same time destroys that part of the evidence.