game?’
‘Yes, thank you, Mathew, BUT just a wee one. I don’t want to impair my judgment tonight.’
‘Do you know who’s playing?’
‘No. I suppose Doctor James and Robert Kelly will be present they’re the regulars. I don’t know why as they rarely win.’
Mathew warned, ‘There’s a new player joining the game. Harmsworth is his name apparently, and he has quite a reputation.’
‘Charles Harmsworth? He was on our ship and he cleaned up poor George many times.’
‘Well, you’d better make sure he doesn’t clean you up.’
‘Oh, I can handle Charles Harmsworth. He’s good but not that good.’
‘It’s time you made your way up. I wish you well and I’ll drop in, later, to see how you’re going.’
‘Thank you, Mathew, I’ll see you in a little while.’
John climbed the red cedar stairway to the top floor and entered the suite where Dr James and Robert Kelly were already seated at the table, keen to begin the game. John greeted them both and took his place. A young waitress who had been assigned to care for them through the night asked whether he would like a drink. He declined.
Five minutes after John’s entrance, another player arrived. He was unknown to the others at the table and he introduced himself as Victor Worthington. The last player arrived soon after. This was Charles Harmsworth, the professional gambler John remembered from the S S Great Britain.
As the first dealer, John dealt five cards to each player. His cards included a king of spades and an ace of spades. He kept those two cards and threw out the remaining three. His next three included a king. It wasn’t a strong hand, but a pair of kings could win the hand.
Dr James, Harmsworth, and Worthington folded, leaving Robert Kelly and John to play out the hand. John bet £5, Kelly raised him £5 and John saw him. Kelly had a pair of queens; first blood to John.
The following ten hands were evenly matched, and all players were about even for the night.
Charles Harmsworth was the next player to deal a hand. John looked at his cards and saw he had Q♥ J♥ 10♥ 5♠ 4♠. He threw out the spades and called for two more cards. Harmsworth dealt the cards without taking his eyes off John, hoping to see a reaction. John looked at his cards and found 9♥ 8♥. He had a queen high straight flush, which was almost unbeatable. John knew he didn’t have enough money in front of him to make the appropriate bet. Mathew had entered the suite a few minutes before the hand was dealt to see how the game was progressing. John called him over and requested a £5000 guarantee. Mathew knew his friend had sufficient funds in the bank to honour the debt.
John bet £1000, Harmsworth saw him and raised John £1000. John saw him and raised Harmsworth £1000 until eventually the stake was £5000; a small fortune. Harmsworth finally said, ‘I’ll see you.’
John laid out his cards for all to see, a straight flush. He was preparing to scoop the cash in the middle of the table. Harmsworth just stared at the cards, not saying a word. Eventually, he looked at John and said, ‘That’s a great hand John.’ He laid out his own cards. A♦ K♦ Q♦ J♦ 10♦ and added, ‘However, it’s not good enough to beat a royal flush.’
John was stunned. He had just lost £5,000 in one fell swoop.
The game was over, and the players dispersed, leaving only John and Mathew.
‘I can’t believe the odds of a straight flush and a royal flush in one hand. It’s almost impossible,’ lamented John.
‘Maybe it is impossible without cheating.’
‘What do you mean, Mathew? Do you think he cheated?’
‘I’m pretty sure he did. I believe he had cards up his sleeve. I also think that Worthington fellow was part of the ploy.’
‘Why didn’t you say something at the time?’
‘If you make those types of accusations without solid proof you’re likely to get shot. Come with me, John. I’ve got an idea.’
The two men entered Mathew’s apartment and sat in the lounge room.
‘Can I get you a whisky, mate?’
‘Yes, please I think I need a double.’
Mathew poured two generous glasses and sat next to his good friend. ‘I think I know how you can get your money back.’
‘How? Steal it back?’
‘That’s right, we steal it back.’
John stared at him. ‘Are you serious? If we get caught we’ll both end up in gaol.’
‘If we’re smart we won’t.’
‘So, what are you proposing?’
‘Come with me. I’ve got some things to show you.’
Mathew entered his bedroom and gestured to the foot of the bed where there was a large captain’s trunk. He opened it and John couldn’t believe what was in it. There were several long wigs, women’s underwear and various items of outer clothing.
Mathew hastened to explain. ‘When I purchased the hotel, it was what they call WIWO which effectively means everything in the hotel at the date of settlement stays. This trunk was one of the things included.’
‘So, how does this help us get my money back without being caught by the police?’
‘If we’re about to become bushrangers we need to have a bloody good disguise, and if we dress up as women, they will never suspect us.’
‘So, you’re suggesting we dress up as girls and bail up the Cobb & Co coach that Harmsworth will be travelling on to Melbourne.’
‘Yes, that’s exactly what I’m proposing. Once we rob the coach, we change back, and no one will be the wiser.
‘So why would you put yourself at risk for me?’
‘Because I lack adventure in my life and I hate seeing you, my friend, being cheated out of your life’s savings.’
‘Thank you, Mathew, I appreciate it.’
‘Well, I don’t think we have much time to get organised. You need to find out what coach he will be on and his time and day of departure.’
John nodded. ‘I’m sure I can discover his travel details.’
‘I’ll sort out our disguises and have two of my best horses at the ready in the stable.’
John said farewell to his friend and headed back to his cottage in Bradshaw Street to reflect on the incredible events of the evening. If he and Mathew could steal back his money his life would get back to normal; or so he thought.
John knew a fellow who worked for Cobb & Co in Sturt
