3. THE FIST VANISH
Clench the left fist, thumb upwards, and place a ball on top of it (Fig. 4). With the right fist and second fingers apparently push the ball right into the fist; in reality, close the left second finger tightly and compress the ball into the smallest possible compass against it, hold the ball thus compressed by bending the left forefinger around it, and move the thumb over the top. To all appearances the ball has been pushed into the fist; but, if the pressure of the forefinger is relaxed and the thumb moved aside, the ball will instantly spring up to its original position on the top of the fist.
The sleight is used thus: Place a ball, A, on top of the left fist and push it down as explained in the preceding paragraph. Pick up a second ball, B, show it, and apparently place it on the top of the left fist; but at the moment that the right hand arrives over the fist, palm B in the right hand and, at the same instant, allow A to spring up. Properly timed the illusion is perfect, and when A is pushed down the spectators think there are two balls in the fist. The procedure can be continued until four balls have been pushed in apparently, when in reality the hand contains one ball only.
Skillful performers apply this sleight to solid balls. In such case, instead of the ball retaking its place on top of the fist automatically by reason of its elasticity, it is squeezed up by the pressure of the left second and first fingers—a much more difficult operation.
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