Page 101 - Walter B. Gibson "Knots And How To Tie Them"

100
Boldly. but smoothly, you aTe actu-
ally reversing the direction of the
ropes, so that they double back on
themselves. Nobody sees this, because
your wrists hide the knots. People
suppose that the ropes run the proper
way, so you seem to be securely tied.
All you have to do is spread your
arms wide apart and )'OU can reach
and handle the objects on the table.
Afterward, you damp your arms
together as though they were firmly
bound as everyone thinks. In this
case, have the ropes rut at the back
when the trick is over, so you can
spread your arms and let the ropes
dangle before asking anyone to release
your wrists (fig.2). This kills any clue
to the reversal of the ropes.

fig. 2