"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 cla.s.sed it in his mind, grand comedy. He did not know just how the fellow intended to work his game; he believed the method would be a novel one, but he was ready--yes, permitting himself to be led on to the grand climax.

The wizard tramp was an expert gambler and he had taught Desmond a great many tricks in order to put the youth on his guard, and also for amus.e.m.e.nt during their lonely hours together. All there was to learn about the trick Desmond already knew, but he pretended ignorance, and let the sharp go ahead. He proved an apt scholar, however, for the senator's son said:

"Jiminy! I don't know but I am doing wrong."

"Doing wrong?"

"Yes."

"You learn so quick you appear to be a natural gambler."

"I am pretty quick at learning points, I will admit."

"You are great."

Our hero had just about mastered the intricacies of the game when, lo, three men entered the car, and the sharp whispered to the lad:

"Great Scott! here are a lot of 'gambs' as sure as you are alive. I wonder if they will give me a chance at them; if they do I'll show you some fun, if they don't you are up to the trick, you are my pupil, and you can show me the fun."

"That's so."

"Lay low, my friend, don't go too fast or these fellows will become suspicious. I want to catch them good, and we will if you play it right."

Desmond was on to the trick; he saw how the game was to be played, and he appreciated that it was indeed a neat little trick. They were working to fleece him differently from any little game he had ever seen or had read about.

The "gambs," as the sharp had called the newcomers in the car, did not betray their game at once. They took a seat a little distance off and commenced playing among themselves "only for fun," as they said loud enough to be overheard.

"We'll catch them," whispered the sharp.

"I don't know; they do not appear disposed to let us into their game; maybe they are acquainted with you."

"Never mind, they will go for you. Let me see, I'll go out of the car, see! and then they will make your acquaintance. I'll be at hand in case there is a row."

"Yes, I see."

"We must catch these fellows and teach them a lesson."

"We will."

"We will have to blind them. Let me see; have you any money to make a bluff on?"

"Yes, plenty."

"Make believe you are making a bet with me and show a roll, then we will bait them and they will go for you; and, oh, won't we give 'em a lesson?

You bet we will; we'll just clean them out and give the money to some needy person--that is, you can--and you'll meet many a poor cuss before you get to New York."

"You can meet them anywhere."

"Have you got a roll?"

"Yes."

"A good sized one? for we want to give them a good bait."

Desmond was playing his part of the game well--very well--his whole manner was right up to the mark--indeed, he did a fine piece of acting.

He pulled out a roll of bills, pretended to dispute with the sharp, and suddenly exclaimed:

"I'll bet you a hundred."

"No, no, young fellow, I don't bet," said the sharp. "I know I am right, I'd only be robbing you."

"I won't let you rob me; I am up to what I say."

The youth put an emphasis on his words which the sharp did not notice; he thought he had such a sure thing, he was not looking for a false "steer." Desmond saw the glitter, however, in the sharp's eyes at the sight of the roll, for it looked like a big pile of money, and the sharp appeared to feel, as indicated in his face, that the pile was already his own.

"By ginger!" he said, "you are a dandy; you can play this game right up, but don't be too anxious or you will scare those fellows off; just take it easy, let them lead you on."

"Oh, I know how to work; don't you forget I am a Yorker."

"Yes, I see you Yorkers are smart fellows. You know a heap, I can see that; but I did learn you some?"

"Yes, and when we get through here, I'll teach you a trick."

The sharp shot a keen glance at Desmond, and the lad saw that he had been a little premature, but it was only a fuse that flashed, and the sharp said, speaking in a very low tone:

"I'll go in the next car, but I'll be on hand at the right moment. I want to enjoy the laugh when you catch these fellows. You are sure you are on to the trick?"

"I am."

"You must keep your eyes well open."

"You bet I will."

The sharp left the car, and after a moment one of the confederates came over and took a seat alongside of Desmond, and in a jolly, familiar tone, he said:

"You bucked the senator's son down, didn't you?"

"Well, yes."

"It takes a good man to buck him down; He's got lots of stuff and sand too, but you bucked him."

"Yes, I did."

"We're having a little game here to pa.s.s the time--it's awful dreary these long rides. You see, we are salesmen and we've had some of these fellows out here trying to rope us in, and we are trying to learn the game."