lt that a crisis was at hand and settled down to play in a dead
silence. But the priest kept on winning steadily, and the "old man" of
the Mulligan push saw that something decisive must be done, and decided
on a big plunge to get all the money back on one hand. By a dexterous
manipulation of the cards he dealt himself four kings, almost the best
hand at poker. Then he began with assumed hesitation to bet on his hand,
raising the stake little by little.

"Sure ye're trying to bluff, so ye are!" said the priest, and
immediately raised it.

The others had dropped out of the game and watched with painful interest
the stake grow and grow. The Mulligan fraternity felt a cheerful
certainty that the "old man" had made things safe, and regarded
themselves as mercifully delivered from an unpleasant situation.
The priest went on doggedly raising the stake in response to his
antagonist's challenges until it had attained huge dimensions.

"Sure that's high enough," said he, putting into the pool sufficient to
entitle him to see his opponent's hand.

The "old man" with great gravity laid down his four kings, whereat the
Mulligan boys let a big sigh of relief escape them.

Then the priest laid down four aces and scooped the pool.

The sportsmen of Mulligan's never quite knew how they got out to
Randwick. They borrowed a bit of money in Sydney, and found themselves
in the saddling-paddock in a half-dazed condition, trying to realize
what had happened to them. During the afternoon they were up at the end
of the lawn near the Leger stand and could hear the babel of tongues,
small bookmakers, thimble riggers, confidence men, and so on, plying
their trades outside. In the tumult of voices they heard one that
sounded familiar. Soon suspicion grew into certainty, and they knew that
it was the voice of "Father" Ryan. They walked to the fence and looked
over. This is what he was saying:--

"Pop it down, gents! Pop it down! If you don't put down a brick you
can't pick up a castle! I'll bet no one here can pick the knave of
hearts out of these three cards. I'll bet half-a-sovereign no one here
can find the knave!"

Then the crowd parted a little, and through the opening they could see
him distinctly, doing a great business and showing wonderful dexterity
with the pasteboard.

There is still enough money in Sydney to make it worth while for another
detachment to come down from Mulligan's; but the next lot will hesitate
about playing po