Effect: This is a little trick that was made famous by the great Houdini. The performer places a coin in the palm of his hand. This is covered with a handkerchief. The spectators feel for the coin under the handkerchief to verify its presence. Yet, when the handkerchief is removed, the coin has vanished.

Presentation: To make this trick more effective, remove your coat and roll up your sleeves. Place a large coin in the palm of your right hand. Keeping the palm up, drape a handkerchief over the hand. Pass among several spectators and ask them to verify the presence of the coin in your palm, by placing their hands under the handkerchief and feeling the coin. After they have all been satisfied, step back and ask one of the spectators to tie the ends of the handkerchief around your wrists. This produces, you say, almost impossible conditions under which the coin may vanish. However, you brazenly announce chat you will make it do so. After a couple of seconds, ask one of the spectators to untie and remove the handkerchief from your hand. The coin has completely vanished.

Explanation: All you need to work this trick is a confederate in the audience. He is the last spectator to feel for the coin under the handkerchief. He actually removes the coin. If this is done without arousing suspicion, the trick becomes extremely effective.