"I thank Your Excellency. Permit us to bid you good morning."
With a courteous bow, Father Murray took his leave, followed by Mark and Saunders. The last they saw of His Excellency was the top of his head as he bowed them out.
Father Murray chuckled all the way back to the hotel—and kept his counsel. When they arrived at his bedroom door, Mark stopped him.
"Great Heavens, Father! You're not going to leave us in the dark like this?"
"'In the dark' is very good United States, Mark."
"But what does it mean? What card did you play?"
Father Murray's hand was on the doorknob, his eyes dancing with merriment.
"They say, Mark, that a royal flush beats everything. Well, I played that."
Mark tried to catch him but, with a low chuckle, he slipped into the room and closed the door.