Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The crook used to slip sedatives into drinks and this has been termed as something as described by the missing word. Since the missing word is followed by ‘by hand’, it is likely that the missing word could be something related to ‘dexterity’ or ‘cunningness’. D and E are clearly incorrect as they are not related to the context in which the missing word is being used. ‘Trick’ is an appropriate word for the blank and ‘slight’ means the same. Therefore, A and C are the correct answers.