thim bookmakers, they tell me. I wouldn't bet much if Oi was ye," he said,
with an affable smile. "If ye go bettin' ye will be took in
wid thim bookmakers."

The boys listened with a bored air and reckoned that by the time
they parted the priest would have learnt that they were well able
to look after themselves. They went steadily on with the game,
and the priest and the young squatter won slightly; this was part
of the plan to lead them on to plunge. They neared the station
where the priest was to get out. He had won rather more than they liked,
so the signal was passed round to "put the cross on". Poker is a game
at which a man need not risk much unless he feels inclined,
and on this deal the priest stood out. Consequently,
when they drew up at his station he was still a few pounds in.

"Bedad," he said, "Oi don't loike goin' away wid yer money.
Oi'll go on to the next station so as ye can have revinge."
Then he sat down again, and play went on in earnest.

The man of religion seemed to have the Devil's own luck. When he was dealt
a good hand he invariably backed it well, and if he had a bad one
he would not risk anything. The sports grew painfully anxious
as they saw him getting further and further ahead of them,
prattling away all the time like a big schoolboy. The squatter was
the biggest loser so far, but the priest was the only winner.
All the others were out of pocket. His reverence played with great dash,
and seemed to know a lot about the game, so that on arrival
at the second station he was a good round sum in pocket.

He rose to leave them with many expressions of regret, and laughingly