Phantom Hand

Effect

A number of white pasteboard cards are shown to be all different and to contain a number on one side, all numbers varying in the hundreds and thousands. The cards are shuffled, and after cutting, a spectator removes five, holding them number side down.

On a slate the performer now chalks, “The total of the numbers selected will be,” explaining that a helpful spirit will write in chalk the total of the addition to be arrived at presently. Another slate is given to a spectator, who copies the numbers selected on the slate and then adds them up. While this is being done, the first slate is given to another person to hold.

The copying and adding being finished, the spectator holds his slate for all to see and note the total. The second spectator shows his slate but no spirit writing is yet to be seen. The performer takes it back, saying some-thing must have detained the spirit control, and starts to erase the words. They are seen to change to numbers and, upon comparison with the first slate, every one of the numbers coincide exactly! And not only is the correct total revealed, but all figures of the addition check, so that both slates look alike!