"I see!" said I. "After the steamer goes dull hotel! No one to speak to or play billiards with! Long railway journey without a partner at écarté. Well, all right; I will take pity on you. When does this burlesque eclipse take place?"
"We start by the nine o'clock train to-morrow morning," said Brown.
Having agreed to go, we arrived at the station at the appointed time, and went to Liverpool. There were the gushing Pattie and her invaluable troupe, and a more forward set of young women I never saw. We put them safely on board a Cunard steamer, and returned to the Washington Hotel. The question then arose how we were to dispose of our time, as we did not mean to leave for town till next day. The theatres were no good—all old pieces, which we had seen many times in London. Brown suggested a visit to a waxworks in the neighbourhood, where all the notorious murderers—Rush, Palmer, and Co.—wore evening-costume, and only wanted a flower in their coats to look like stewards of a county ball. I declined to interview the horrors. We eventually made up our minds to try our luck at that ever-fascinating game—billiards.
Notwithstanding that I play a more than an average game, I happened to meet my match that night.
As regards playing cards with strangers, an amusing anecdote is related of the elder Matthews and his partner Mr. Yates. They were on a professional tour and found themselves at a country hotel on a stormy day without any means of killing the time during the bad weather. They would have liked a game of whist immensely, but where were they to find partners, double dummy being dull work? The landlord was consulted, and asked if he knew of any gentleman who would have a game of whist? He replied in the affirmative, a gentleman being then in the hotel whom he thought understood the game pretty well. A polite message was immediately conveyed to the stranger, inviting him to join them in a game. The unknown gentleman soon made his appearance, and they all sat down to play, the new arrival taking dummy.
Luck was dead against the comedians. They could not win a single game. After they had played some time, and no inconsiderable amount of money had passed to the holder of "dummy," the stranger looked at his watch and said he was sorry to have to leave, having to meet an important engagement. The comedians were apparently surprised at this sudden termination of the game, and Matthews asked whether he would be disengaged soon again? The stranger replied that he would be most happy to meet them at any hour next day, when perhaps they would be in better luck, at the same time regretting it was most urgent business that called him away. "Pray," said Matthews, who was rather excited, and when so stammered, "what may your—your business be if—if—it isn't—im—pertinent—to inquire?" "Why," replied the stranger, with a knowing nod, "I am, like yourselves, a professional—a magician—and give a performance to-night at the Town Hall. You will, therefore, excuse my departure. Good evening, gentlemen!" and the stranger bowed and retired. The two comedians considered it prudent next morning not to renew the game with so lucky an opponent, and thought they had had enough of it, although very much dissatisfied with the stranger and his "luck."
Well, I considered I was "done" at billiards at Liverpool, but determined, unlike the comedians, to have satisfaction and revenge before I left. Dinner over at the Washington, we strolled a little through the city, and came across some excellent billiard-rooms in the neighbourhood of the Exchange. Having nothing else on hand at the time I suggested a game to Brown, and just as we had finished our third hundred a well-dressed, young-looking man came into the room. As he appeared rather anxious to play, I obliged him, and it was not long before I found, to my surprise, that he was a much better player than I had anticipated. Thinking I could win easily, I began very carelessly, but my young-looking opponent soon made me stare with astonishment at his good play; and as he kept edging up to the "spot-stroke" without leaving the balls about, I began to anticipate defeat. I, however, pulled myself together, and, after a well-contested and exciting game, I came off the winner. The second game was also exciting, as I was ninety-eight when he ran out the victor. The third game commenced very steadily, but eventually I came off triumphant. The betting, at first in half-sovereigns, increased as we continued to play, and I found myself at the end of the game richer by £4. Brown was also a gainer by the result.
"You are very evenly matched, you two gentlemen," said a man, who, judging from his flash appearance, probably dabbled in horse-racing. "If you will play again, I don't mind backing the loser of the last game for £5 or £10!"