IF POSSIBLE borrow both the cards and the envelope for use in this trick. First have the pack shuffled freely and sight the top card. Next borrow an envelope and paper, write down the name of the card just sighted, fold the paper and enclose it in the envelope. Casually lay the envelope on the pack as you return the pencil to your pocket. Take the envelope in your right hand again and secretly carry away the top card with it. Hand the pack to be shuffled and cut. Receive the pack back in your left hand, the envelope plus the sighted card on it as you reach for your pencil again with your right hand. Give the pencil to the spectator who cut the pack and ask him to write his initials on the envelope. Let him take envelope and cards in his own hands to do this, then put the envelope in his pocket. Have him take off the top card and note it 'as the card at which he cut after he had shuffled the cards'. If you then recapitulate what has been done, ignoring the fact that you handled the cards at all, the effect left on the minds of the spectators is that the card was taken immediately after the person shuffled and cut the pack himself, and their reaction to the fact that your prediction names that very card will be quite satisfactory. (Editor's Note--After spectator has placed the envelope in his pocket, you hold the pack while he stabs a knife into the pack to locate a card. In breaking the pack at the cut slip the sighted card from the top of the pack to the top of the lower packet in the accredited fashion. Let him note this card and then read your prediction.)