A Page of Mystery.
By Herbert Milton M I.M.C.

The following problem will, 1 think, appeal to those magicians who have a liking for novelties slightly different from the usual run of standard effects. The problem itself is fairly simple to work, and is equally effective in the drawing-room as on the concert stage.

Effect--
A book consisting of upwards of 250 pages is handed out for examination. A spectator chooses a page at random by the simile expedient of thrusting a paper knife in between the leaves as the latter are riffled by the conjurer. The book is opened at this place and the spectator is requested to call aloud the number of the page selected (left hand side). A note is made of this. The book is then closed in full view of everyone, and an elastic band placed around it, and without any exchange whatsoever, handed to a second spectator for safe keeping. A picture frame is now shown to be empty, wrapped in a handkerchief and placed in some conspicuous place. The spectator holding the book is requested to remove the elastic band and to turn to the selected page. Upon examination however, he finds the greater part of the page missing, only a torn and jagged edge remaining. Upon unwrapping the frame a torn page is found inside. This is removed from frame and found to be the missing page. As a final proof the page is fitted back into the book and the two torn edges found to coincide exactly.

Requirements--
A fair sized book containing about 250--800 pages. When selecting the book, choose one with rather thick leaves and with the edges of the leaves as even as possible, for a reason which will be apparent later. Select a leaf roughly about a third of the way through the book. With a sharp pair of scissors carefully trim off a thin narrow strip from the side edge of this leaf, making the latter a trifle 'narrower than the remainder. It will now be found
by experiment, that upon riffling the leaves of the book, the narrow leaf can always be located and a "break" held, in just the same manner as with a "short" in a pack of cards.

Next, presuming the number of this narrow page (left hand side)is 92, with a very fine pen and a little printer's ink, carefully fake this number to read 192. Page 93 must be similarly treated to read 193, being the right hand page when book is opened at this place. The genuine page 192, is now torn right out from the book, leaving just a jagged edge behind for the purpose of identification at the end of the problem. The page is removed and then concealed in a large sand frame, which is, of course, familiar to every magician.

A large handkerchief, paper knife, and an elastic band large enough to encircle the book, complete the list of requirements.

Working--

The book is handed out for examination. This may be done with absolute safety, as at this stage of the proceedings the audience are not aware of what is going to happen. The paper knife is then, given to a spectator, preferably a lady, to hold. Performer then takes book, turns cover right back, and riffles the leaves of the book with his right hand, at the same time requesting the lady to insert the. knife anywhere she pleases. The narrow page is thus forced in much the same way as forcing the "short" in a pack of cards. The book is opened at this place and the lady requested to call aloud the number of the page selected, the performer casually pointing to the left-hand page so that no mistake is made. The book is then closed in full view, the elastic band placed around it for the sake of effect, and it is handed to a gentleman seated a little distance away for safe keeping.

The frame is now shown empty, wrapped in the handkerchief in the usual way, and placed in. some conspicuous place.

Little further explanation is necessary; upon the gentleman opening the book, the selected page has naturally vanished. The frame is now unwrapped and the torn page is discovered. This is removed and found to fit the book exactly.

There is just one little risk which it is as well to guard against, and that is the risk of the gentleman accidentally finding the two faked pages when searching for the selected page. There is very little chance of this happening of course, as he is not likely to turn to that part of the book, but as a precaution against this the following ruse will be found quite satisfactory: lightly cover the blade of the paper-knife with a little soap. After page has been forced and noted, close the book, leaving the knife still between the pages. Then remove knife with right hand, at the same time pressing on the covers of the book with the left hand; this will naturally cause the two faked pages to stick together slightly, and so completely hide all traces.

The reproduction of the missing page/may, of course, be varied to suit the reader's own ideas; the sand frame is only given here as a simple example.

Points for Patter--

"The other day I happened to call at a booksellers to buy a book. The bookseller approached me, and after saying what I wanted, suggested that I should step inside as he had a very good line. I told him I didn't want a line but I wanted a book. Eventually I chose this one. It's a mystery story. (The reader is advised to obtain a book with a title which will give a scope for humour.)

"Upon taking the book home however, I found that as well as being a mystery story, the book itself was a bit of a mystery--exactly how much, I propose to show you now. Perhaps, madam, you would be so good as to look at the book, and see that it is quite an ordinary book without any preparation whatsoever. Thank you."

When about to pronounce the "magic word," patter somewhat as follows: "It is only natural, if you want goods to travel from one place to another, you must have a carrier; well the magic words in this case are "Carter Paterson!" Tell me sir, did you notice the book getting a little lighter just then? Well Mr. George Washington, perhaps you will kindly open the book and turn to the selected page. Oh! it has gone, leaving only a small portion behind. So far, so good. Now we will try our luck over here. Ah! this looks like the missing page. Would you mind just seeing if the page fits the book, yes, it fits exactly"

A friendly printer will be able to match the figures and stamp the extra figure in by hand in a very few minutes.