La Prueba Pericial .1 Definición

It must be admitted at once that the title is a catch-line. A variation of a favourite rope trick, two ropes (tapes or braids) are tied round the performer’s neck and apparently pulled through. Nothing is required but the rope—and the neck.

In combination with two or three other equally portable tricks, a cumulative effect is produced of something approaching partial dismemberment of the performer’s person.

For the first phase, two long ropes are used. These, as first shewn, are held by the ends, separate and distinct, one in each hand, with arms outstretched. Bringing the right hand up to the left, the two ropes are gripped together in the left, and the right hand runs down the ropes, bringing them alongside until the approximate centre is reached. In this action, the right hand forefinger is secretly introduced between the two ropes and maintains a slight separation. With a rapid motion, the centre of the rope is thrown over the back of the head, and under cover of this movement, the disposition of them is altered so that instead of passing in continuous lengths behind the neck, each cord is doubled on its centre and both ends of one cord take the place of ends of two separate cords. At the bight, the cords are looped one within the other and given a slight twist, or pressed down between the neck and the collar for a temporary hold. The visible ends are now tied close up to the throat, in one or two knots, and the pairs of ends are given to bystanders to hold. The performer now places the fingers of both hands on each side of the knots and at the same time inserts one finger between the two lines of cords on its own side. Running the finger round to the back of the neck, he releases the loops, steps backward to free himself from them and at the same time opens out the two separate loops of single cords into one double loop. The illustration (Fig. 48A) shews the tied cords as they really are, B shows them opened out to confirm the impression of how they were and C the manner of looping the centres one within the other.

In the next demonstration, an endless chain is used, of a circumference of about thirty-six inches. This the performer hangs over his left wrist: then, raising the lower part of the loop, he lifts it over the wrist so that the chain (apparently) passes twice round. At

this point he allows somebody to grasp his hand so that it may be clear that the chain cannot be slipped over it. Then, after giving it a few test pulls, by which it seems to be fairly and securely wound round, he gives a sudden tug and it comes right away.

Here, of course, there is a subterfuge in the way of disposing the chain. To make this clear I have had the explanatory diagrams drawn in simple line, as though with a circle of cord, which makes the direction of the lay easy to follow; but cord is unsuited to exhibition, for precisely the reason I have used it for illustration. The links of the chain, on the other hand, are definitely helpful to the illusion, as they intermingle and disguise the falsity of the looping.

Commencing with the band hanging over the left wrist in a single circlet, as in Fig. 49A, the performer approaches the right hand, palm upwards and catches it with the thumb on the side further away, at X, pulls this to the left and carries it over in front of the nearer dependence (Fig. 49B), gives it a twist upward and forward, to the left (Fig. 49C) and carries the loop over the wrist, so that it hangs as in D. By inserting the right hand fingers in Loop O (49D), the chain will withstand any amount of tugging, but if one of the two loops is released and the strain placed on the other, the chain slides freely over the wrist.

Taking next a single length of rope, long enough to go twice round the waist, with a few feet to spare, the performer holds it in both hands with the central portion outstretched horizontally before him, and the ends hanging down on the floor. Passing both hands behind his back, he carries it round the waist, brings the ends forward and crosses them in

the beginning of a simple knot. Then, after a pause, he pulls tightly upon the ends of the rope, or allows two helpers to do so, and the rope apparently passes through his body and, free of obstruction, the knot closes up and appears fairly in the middle of the rope.

This is the result of a deception in the manner of passing the rope round the waist. As it is carried behind the back, the fingers of one hand form a bight, round which the other hand folds its own part of the rope, so that the ends are not crossed, as the onlookers assume them to be, but the rope is merely looped together, as in Fig. 50. This can be made to hold with moderate security, but will yield to a strain. The knot that is started after the ends of the rope are brought round to the front again is naturally drawn tight when the ends are pulled.

But the finishing touch will give a momentary shock to the spectators. The performer explains that the phenomenon lies in his ability to sever himself at any point at will—but that it must be done quickly, or he might not be able to put the parts back! As he speaks, he illustrates his point by pulling off his second finger at the middle joint, lifts it clear of the hand, shewing plainly the mutilated stump and the separated portion, and quickly replaces it. This absurdity is managed by having a modelled wax finger, or the kind

sometime used to produce the effect of thrusting a finger through the crown of a hat. In place of the needle point provided for the working of that effect, a pin pointed hook is securely rooted into its base, by means of which it can be hooked to the back of the

trousers, at the level of the finger tips as the right hand hangs by the side, and hidden by the coat tail. Just before he is ready, the performer secures and palms this. In approaching the left hand, he brings it into the position of the real finger, which he bends toward the

palm, and holds the artificial member momentarily there, gives a jerk and pulls it away. (Figs. 51 and 52). To those watching, taken by surprise, the half finger visible on the left hand is surprisingly real looking. Bringing the hands together again, the performer straightens out the real finger and palms the artificial piece. As he displays the left hand and exercises the fingers to shew that all is well, the right hand sinks to the side and hooks the dummy to the trousers again.