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 pass 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." "Don't you know the game?" "No; do you?" "Well, I know a little about it." "Come along and show us what you know." The party got together; Desmond appeared hale-fellow-well-met with the rogues, and the game was played amid a great deal of laughter, until one of the party said: "By Jove! boys, I am on to this thing." "You are?" "Yes, I am." "You daren't bet for fair." "Yes, I dare." "Oh, come off." "I'll bet for fair; I'll give every one of you a chance." "You will?" "Yes, I will." "Come off." "I am in earnest; who'll go first and bet me?" "I will," said one man. "All right." The cards were thrown and a bet made, and the dealer was beat and lost apparently a ten-dollar bill. "All right; I was beat that time. Who'll take a second hack at it? I've got it all right, and I'll catch some of you fellows." "Will you?"