3. GRANDMOTHER’S NECKLACE
Effect. The origin of this trick is lost in the mists of antiquity, but the fact that it has survived to the present day proves that the principle upon which it is based is a sound one. The plot, as with all the best tricks, is a simple one. Briefly, various articles are tied to the middle of two cords; the ends of the cords are held by two spectators; and the magician removes the articles, leaving the cords still held by the spectators and entirely free from knots.
Method. In the original trick the cords are secretly tied together at the middle with a thread (Fig. 7) and then secretly doubled as in Fig. 8. It follows that any articles threaded on the cords and then tied on will be freed as soon as the thread is broken. In order to disguise this simple solution it is necessary, after the articles have been tied on, to transfer one cord from each side to the other. This is done by tying a single knot with one cord, under the pretense of making the tying still more secure (Fig. 9). Then, when the cords are pulled taut, they come out straight as before.
In this form the trick has become so well known that one could hardly present it, even before a small audience, without being asked to show the cords separately. Various ingenious methods of overcoming this difficulty have been devised.
(1) The two parts of a snap button are sewn on the middles of the cords. Simple pressure of the fingers then suffices to make the connection, but the method creates another difficulty—the cords cannot be subjected to close examination.
(2) A small rubber band, held on the tips of two fingers, can be slipped over the cords to the middle after they have been tested separately. The final pull on the cords breaks the band and it falls to the floor unnoticed.
(3) In place of the rubber band, a small piece of flexible copper or lead wire is pressed round the nail of the left middle finger and clipped on the middles of the cords at the proper moment. It will be pulled apart and fall imperceptibly at the finish.
(4) A small handkerchief tied round the middle of the cords provides a convincing method of working the trick. The knot is converted into a slipknot in tightening it, the cords are doubled (as in Fig. 8) under cover of the handkerchief, and a single knot is then tied with both cords. To remove the various articles that are threaded and tied on the cords you have simply to pull the knot in the handkerchief apart; the loops of the cords are thus freed and the rest follows.
(5) By using strong black tapes and a black pin the junction can be made by thrusting the pin through the middle of both tapes. The pin can be carried at the lower edge of the vest until it is required.
(6) The best and simplest method of all is to pass the doubled middle of one cord through the other and bend it over as shown in Fig. 10. The junction is then hidden and kept secure by tying a handkerchief around it tightly.
The final improvement in the trick is in the method of tying the various articles on the cords. Instead of threading them all on at once, a single knot is tied on each one and finally the cords on one side are pushed through one sleeve of a borrowed coat and the cords on the other side through the other sleeve; then the usual single knot is made with one cord. Under cover of the coat the operator first removes the handkerchief, the work of a moment thanks to the doubling of the cord; then the articles are removed, one by one, by simply untying the knots between them. When the last one has been taken off, the two spectators holding the ends of the cords pull them taut and they come away free and separate, leaving the coat in the operator’s hands.
Variations. Two novel presentations of the trick follow purely as examples;
each performer should work out his own variation of the theme.
Cords and watch. Two pieces of white sash cord about three-eighths of an inch thick and about five feet in length are required. Invite two spectators to assist you; have them stand one on each side of you and hand each of them a cord to examine.
When they are satisfied, take the cords and lay them over the forefinger of your left hand, the ends hanging down evenly on each side. Ask for the loan of a watch, dispatch one of your helpers to get it, and profit by the diversion to double the middles of the cords (Fig. 10). Do this by taking the middle of the outside cord with the right thumb and forefinger; push it through the bend of the other cord and press the left thumb on the junction, hiding it completely.
This done, take a small red silk handkerchief from your pocket; wind it round the junction of the two loops, tightly enough to hold them in position, and surreptitiously pass one end of the silk between the two cords to the right of the junction; then tie it tightly. Take the borrowed watch, pass two ends of the cord through the ring, and slide it up to the silk. Have a single knot tied on this with both cords; then place the middle of the cords, the watch, and the silk behind your neck and have another single knot tied coming under your chin.
Instruct each assistant, in turn, to pass the ends he holds under your vest and out at the armholes on each side; be careful that they are not passed under the suspenders. Finally, as a further complication, have a single knot tied with one cord, thus effecting the necessary crossing of one cord.
Place both hands at the back of your neck, release the doubled cords, slip the watch off and palm it in the right hand. Give the signal to the assistants to pull hard; the ropes come free in front of you with the red silk still tied on the middle, conclusive proof that the cords have passed through your neck. In reality it is on one cord only, so you seize the cords on each side of the silk as you call attention to it, then slide it off with the left hand and hold the ropes in the right hand.
Now pretend to notice that the watch is missing, thrust your hands in the outside coat pockets of the man on the left, drop the watch in one, tap his vest and trousers pockets quickly, then turn and pretend to search the other man. Finally the watch is found by the assistant on the left in his own pocket and all ends well.
Cords and glass tube. A glass tube is required—a large gas chimney serves very well. The working of the trick is the same as in the preceding variation up to the time you have doubled the cords and hold the junction under the left thumb. Hold the cords as shown in Fig. 11 and invite the man on your right to wrap his handkerchief several times round the cord and tie it on tightly. Turn to the man on your left, at the same time sliding your left hand along the cords and covering the junction with your right thumb. Have him tie his handkerchief on the cords on that side so that the hidden join is between the two handkerchiefs. Slide this last over the junction and have a third handkerchief tied on by the same man; then push the two outside ones against the middle one.
Pass the two ends of the cords on one side through the glass tube and move it to the middle over the handkerchiefs. Finally have a single knot tied with one cord as usual. At the word of command the cords are pulled free, the glass tube with the handkerchiefs inside it remaining in your hands.
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