AUTOMATON CHESS-PLAYER. 277 



the observer. The door B is now locked and the 

 screen I closed, and as this is done at the time 

 that the light is withdrawn, it will wholly escape 

 observation. 



The door B is so constructed as to close by its 

 own weight, but as the head of the chess-player 

 will soon be placed very near it, the secret would 

 be disclosed if, in turning round, the chest door 

 should by any accident fly open. This accident 

 is prevented by turning the key, and, lest this 

 little circumstance should excite notice, it would 

 probably be regarded as accidental, as the keys 

 were immediately wanted for the other locks. 



As soon as the door B is locked, and the screen 

 I closed, the secret is no longer exposed to hazard, 

 and the exhibitor proceeds to lead the minds of 

 the spectators still farther from the real state of 

 things. The door A is left open to confirm the 

 opinion that no person is concealed within, and 

 that nothing can take place in the interior without 

 being observed. 



The drawer GG is now opened, apparently for 

 the purpose of looking at the chess-men, cushion, 

 and counters, which it contains ; but the real ob- 

 Fig. 70. 



