"How?"
"I'll tell you, I am a regular juggler; I know all the tricks of gamblers and I'd fool a fellow."
"Do you know all the tricks of gamblers?"
"Yes, and sometimes I beat the game just for fun. You see I am down on gamblers, I just like to beat them. Generally there are one or two of those rascals on this train, but they know me; I don't get a chance at them any more, so I sometimes amuse myself by astonishing greenhorns. By ginger! but it's funny I've never been in New York; I am half a mind to go right on to the great city with you."
"Yes, come along," said Desmond, a merry twinkle in his eyes.
CHAPTER VIII.
PLAYING TO CATCH A WEASEL—A SHARP'S SCHOLAR—OPENING UP OF THE GAME—TWO BIG HANDS—A CRISIS.
"I can't go, but I'd like to; but you give me your address, and some day you will see me in York. I feel like the man who said, 'See Venice and die;' I want to see New 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."