Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/976

 30 double cotton-covered copper wire, the ends being directly connected to the receivers. All wiring is of course concealed by the mind reader's cloak, his turban, and perhaps a high collar of some sort around his neck. Wired up in this way, the mind reader is ready for action.

But the mind reader must have an accomplice. The idea is that some member of the audience before which exhibitions are given be requested to show some- thing to this "friend" (the accomplice), whereupon the mind reader will tell what it is. For instance, the "friend" may be shown a watch, and the mind reader requested to tell what time it is. Or perhaps the object exhibited happens to be a newspaper and the person with occult powers is asked to tell what headline the exhibitor has his finger upon. Many such tests can be devised.

Around the accomplice's body just beneath the arms, in the same way as in the case of the mind reader, are wound about fifteen turns of No. 16 double-cotton-covered wire. This serves as a sending "aerial," while the turns on the mind reader serve as a receiving "aerial." As shown in the diagram, the turns of wire on the accomplice are in series with several cells of flashlight battery concealed in some manner on his person.

��of course reads it, or otherwise notes what is necessary, and telegraphs the information to the mind reader over the miniature, short-range wireless just described. The accomplice may have his key in a coat or trouser's pocket and manipulate it by a hand "carelessly" placed there- in, or he may have the key in a shoe and operate it by pressing with a toe. In this last case con-

���the

��5er\d I r\g aerial.

����Receivers

��Receiving aeridl

��Key in pocket

Diagram showing the arrangement of parts on the body for mind reading sending and receiving

Also in the circuit are a key and a small, almost -noiseless buzzer, likewise con- cealed.

When the person who sets out to test the mind reader's powers holds something up before the accomplice, the accomplice

��The audience being entertained by a seem- ingly miraculous way of mind reading

siderable skill is necessary, but by diligent practice professional accomplices some- times attain great proficiency.

The accomplice may wander anywhere about the room, wherever he may be called, in fact, by those who desire to test the mind reader's powers. Still wireless works regardless of the changes in position. By pretending that peculiar psychopathic influ- ences exist between accomplice and mind reader, the illusion may be heightened. The audience will won- der how any two persons can carry on thought transference to any such great extent. Yet the initiated wireless man knows!

While the amateur is now barred from using his wireless instru- ments, this idea presents a new and interesting way of making use of parts of his apparatus and of keep- ing in practice in sending and re- ceiving. It also provides entertain- ment for his friends. The apparatus is not difficult to construct and it may be used many times in school work or for private theatricals as a paramount feature for the evening en- tertainment. Amateurs who have put the idea into execution are enthusiastic regarding it.

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