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      • Envelope one, with the left-hand flap edge straightened.

      • Envelope two, with the right-hand flap edge straightened.

      • Envelope three, untouched.

      Ask if they have a small personal object on them, but make sure they don’t show you before you leave the room. Hand out the three envelopes, making sure you remember who gets which one.

      Upon your return, ask for each envelope, determine which is which by virtue of the doctored flaps. The tricky work is now complete: all you need do is play-act. Avoid handling the envelopes too much, as it may seem as though you’re trying to feel the contents.

      When you have acted for a while, hand over the first envelope to the appropriate person, explaining why you think it’s theirs. Next hold out the second envelope and pause. The suspense can be built by addressing the wrong person, as we did with Matthew in the story. You must decide from what you know of your helpers how to play this part.

      Finally, you have to hand the third envelope back. This could be seen as an anti-climax, so again you have to use your wiles to work out something interesting or poignant to say to your third person. You might want to open their envelope and use the enclosed item to help with this. For example, if it contained some money, you might say, ‘I could have guessed you would have been motivated by money without being a mind-reader.’ Then give a wry smile, creating some uncertainty as to whether you are joking or not.

       FINAL THOUGHTS

      This trick teaches valuable lessons about timing and influencing your audience’s attention. You should attempt to convey the impression that you are a caring and sensitive person. Your comments to the helpers, such as those made to Matthew, can easily be taken the wrong way. So be warm and your audience will warm to you.