He had been looking rather confusedly at his cards while the others talked, not paying attention to what they said. But Titherton interposed. “Hold on a minute,” he exclaimed, laying his hand down in front of him and putting some chips on the five cards. He moved and spoke very deliberately. “Will you gentlemen be good enough to explain what you are talking about?” he demanded. “We will,” said Stumpy. “We was discussin’ a new rule in dhraw-poker.” “Ut were called to moind,” said Gallagher, “by a slight pecooliarity av yer digital manœuvres.” They said that Gallagher had once been a schoolmaster. “You’re a liar,” said Titherton, that being the next regular move in the game, and, as custom required, he pulled his gun at the same instant and covered Gallagher. Three other revolvers appeared at the same instant, and if Long Mike had not been a person of almost preternatural promptness, there would have been gun-play if not bloodshed in the room. He moved like a cat, however, and Titherton’s gun went spinning across the room before he could pull the trigger. Long Mike had seized his wrist and shaken it, and the bones came near snapping. “Ye’ll cease yer palaver, an’ play the hand,” said the big man, as angry as the others. “Av there’s foightin’ to do, ye’ll do it afther. An’ if ye’re afther takin’ a card from the bottom o’ the deck, ye’ll kape it an’ Oi’ll play ye annyhow. But that omadhaun there, he’s no liar. Oi’ll say that for him. But he’ll settle wi’ me later for breakin’ up this play.” But this amazing proposition met with no favour from any one. Titherton struggled like a wild beast in his rage, but was unable to free himself, though he began to bite at Long Mike’s fingers, and the others sprang to their feet. “Don’t shoot,” said Stumpy, putting away his gun. “Let’s run the spalpeen into the river.” And the other two started to help him. But Long Mike was aroused by the pain of a sharp bite, and his temper gave way. His strength was as the strength of seven men, and he, too, arose, knocking the table over as he lunged forward. Seizing Titherton with both hands he lifted him high in the air and threw him violently against the wall, whence he fell unconscious to the floor. Then the big man made a rush for Gallagher. “Oi’ll kill yez this time!” he exclaimed, and Gallagher knew that he would. It was, therefore, small wonder that he dodged under Long Mike’s arm and made a flying leap through the window, carrying sash and all with him. There was a frantic pursuit, but Gallagher had gained a few seconds of a start and was nowhere to be found. After a good part of the night had been spent in fruitless search, they bethought them of Titherton, and went back to look for him, but he had recovered consciousness and had made his escape also. “Sure it’s a pity we didn’t throw him in the river whin he were stunned, an’ he’d niver ha’ knowed th’ difference,” said Stumpy, discontentedly.