w York. Say, they tell me there are a great many
sharpers in that wonderful city."

"Yes, it's full of them."

"Well, wouldn't I have fun beating those fellows, especially on the race
track, eh? They tell me these sharps are as thick as mosquitoes in
August down on the race tracks."

"Yes, they hover around there."

"I like you, young fellow."

"Thank you."

"Yes, I do."

"So you said."

"You're honest; I like an honest young fellow every time. Are you an
orphan?"

"A half orphan."

"Your mother dead?"

"No, my father."

"Well, I am just the other way--my mother is dead and my dad, he is away
up. They say he is a great man. I reckon he is, but I am no shakes; you
see I care more for fun than lands. Now, see here; I'll teach you some
tricks. Would you like to learn?"

"Yes, I would."

"Good enough, and when you get back to York you can punish some of those
sharps there, for my occupation is gone out here; they won't let me play
against them or I'd beat them every time--yes, I beat their game and
then give the money away to some poor person who needs it; but they
don't know you, and before we get to the end of the route some of those
fellows may get aboard, and as I said, they don't know you, and we'll
have some great fun; you can beat the game."

"I'd like to do that."

"You would?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I was beaten once."

"You were?"

"Yes."

"At what game?"

"Three card monte."

"Well, well! and did they ever come the thimblerig on you?"

"Yes, I had a taste of that also."

"Then you've been through the mill?"

"Yes."

"Well, now, see here; I'll teach you the game, and you are the only one
I ever will teach it to; you are honest. But if I were to teach the game
to some fellows who claim to be honest they would start in as gamblers
right away."

"I never will."

"No, I can see that in your eye; you've got an honest face; I like you
clean through."

"Thank you again."

"Yes, and I am going to learn you a trick or two."

"I'll be glad to learn."

The man produced his cards and said:

"I always carry an outfit with me just for fun."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"That's fine."

We cannot in words describe the peculiar tones of our hero or the
singular expression upon his face, but he was playing for great fun. He
held in reserve a great surprise for the senator's son, a grand climax
and tableau was to close the scene, or rather, as Desmond classed it in
his mind, grand