Читать книгу Grand Deceptions - G. S. Willmott - Страница 15

Ballarat March 7, 1857

Mathew was in his office counting the day’s takings. He had been the proud owner of the Golden Nugget for five months and in that short time had increased the hotel’s revenue by 25%. One of the innovations he had introduced was a high-stakes poker game. The house, i.e. Mathew, charged a 10% commission on all winnings which over the past few months had generated a significant amount. The game was held in a private apartment on the rooftop dome every Friday night. He was expecting a good result this particular night as several professional gamblers, including his good friend John, would be participating.

Friday 8 pm Golden Nugget

John Davies arrived at the Golden Nugget at 7 pm and made his way to Mathew’s office to say hello to his friend.

‘Hello, Mathew counting your money again I see.’

‘Hello John. Yes, just about to place the day’s takings in the safe.’

‘I take it you’re pleased with your purchase?’

‘Oh yes, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Would you care to join me for a wee dram before you head up for your 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 Street, so he walked down to the staging post the next morning and approached his friend.

‘Hello Frank, are you keeping busy?’

‘Always busy John. People coming and going every day.’

‘That’s good, mate. I have a favour to ask of you.’

‘Oh yes, and what’s that?’

‘I am trying to contact a good friend of mine. He told me he intended to return to Melbourne, but I’m not sure if it was tonight or tomorrow.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Charles Harmsworth.’

‘Hold on. I’ll look up the passenger list.’

Frank scanned the names on the passenger list. ‘Here we are, John, he’s booked to leave for Melbourne at 3 pm today.’

‘Thank you, Frank, much appreciated; I should be able to catch him before he leaves.’

‘My pleasure, and by the way, let’s have a game soon. I’d like the opportunity to win back some of the money you won from me last time we played.’

‘Yes, let’s organise something soon.’

John walked briskly to The Golden Nugget. ‘Mathew, may I have some of your time please?’

Mathew was at the front desk checking the hotel register.

‘Hello John, yes, certainly; come into my office.’

‘I’ve discovered that Harmsworth is due to depart Ballarat by Cobb & Co coach at 3 pm.’

‘Good work! We need to move quickly. Come up to my apartment. I have our disguises ready.’

The two novice bushrangers climbed the stairs to Mathew’s suite. The wigs and clothes were laid out on a Chesterfield lounge.

‘Try this wig, John. It needs to fit your head tightly. We don’t want it falling off while we are in the middle of our dastardly deed.’

John placed the long brown wig made from human hair on his head and shook it furiously; it stayed on.

‘You look rather pretty mate. Now, I’ve created a pair of breasts for each of us to wear.’

Mathew had two tin bowls which he had drilled holes on either side so that a thin rope could pass through and tied at the back. When a shirt was worn over them, they looked like a fine pair of breasts.

Mathew opened his safe and withdrew the wooden box with the two Hollis & Sheath pistols his father had given him. He ensured both were loaded and had sufficient ammunition for the mission.

The two men placed their disguises and weapons in a bag and headed for the stables where their steeds were waiting.

2 pm

Mathew and John had decided on a secluded part of the Melbourne Road about ten miles out of Ballarat. It was heavily wooded, which would allow them to remain out of sight until the last minute.

They arrived at the site at 4 pm estimating the coach would arrive at 5 pm. This gave them plenty of time to get into their disguises, including tin breasts and long wigs. They intended to wear hats and a bandanna as a mask. By the time they dressed, they did look like a couple of female bushrangers.

Mathew decided John had the more convincing female voice. Therefore, it would be John who would do the talking.

They sat on the old log they intended to block the coach with and waited nervously. They knew if things didn’t go to plan they could be arrested or worse still, shot and killed.

‘John, I think I can hear the coach. Quick, mount up and draw your pistol.’

‘This is it, Mathew, good luck mate.’

‘You too John.’

The Cobb & Co coach came into view and the two bushrangers rode into the middle of the road, pistols drawn.

‘Stop, nobody move, or you’ll be shot!’ yelled John.

The coach driver pulled his horses to an abrupt halt and put his hands in the air as did the co-driver.

‘Everybody out of the coach.’

Eight passengers got out including Charles Harmsworth who stood there glaring at the two female outlaws.

‘You in the fancy vest, come here.’

Harmsworth slowly walked forward standing in front of the two women.

‘Give me your wallet please.’

Harmsworth was surprised by the politeness of the demand. He handed the bushranger his wallet.

John handed it to Mathew, who counted the notes, £200.

‘Which suitcase is yours?’

‘You work it out,’ he said defiantly.

Mathew fired his pistol, narrowly missing the gambler’s right foot.

‘Cooperate, or she’ll shoot you where it hurts.’

‘All right, it’s the red one.’

‘I should have guessed.’

Mathew grabbed the suitcase and opened it on the road, while John kept his pistol aimed at the group.

‘Well, look at this, a suitcase full of £20 notes. That’s an awful lot of money to be carrying around in your luggage.’

‘I don’t think we need any more loot than this, Betsy. Let’s get out of here.’

The two bushrangers mounted their horses but before they rode off, John addressed the victims. ‘You can tell everybody you were bailed up by the Banshees.’

They then rode at full gallop away from Ballarat to confuse the onlookers.

A couple of miles down the road, they stopped and hid in the bush until they saw the coach pass. They then returned to Ballarat, taking off their wigs and female attire before returning to the hotel.

Once safely in Mathew’s suite, they opened the case and began the pleasant task of counting the money. The total amount was £7,467 a significant haul for their first heist. Mathew counted out £6233 and handed the bundle to John.

‘So, John, you have your £5,000 Harmsworth stole plus an additional £1233 which is your share of the booty. What are you going to do with all that money?’

‘My big loss last night would be known by everyone in the town by now. If I turn up to the next game with plenty of dosh, it could arouse suspicion.’

‘I think you’re right. John, may I make a suggestion?’

‘Of course, what is it?’

‘The hotel turns over a significant amount of money each week. If I hold your cash and bank it then feed it to you each week, it will alleviate any suspicions.’

‘If it were anyone else I’d decline the offer, but seeing it’s you, I graciously accept. Thank you, Mathew.’

‘I think we’ve earned a whisky. What do you say, John? Or should I call you Betsy?’

‘Yes, where did you get that name from?’

‘I just thought the name suited you. While we’re discussing names where did you get The Banshees?”

‘Don’t you like it? I just thought Banshee encapsulated a couple of female bushrangers instilling terror along the Melbourne Road.’

‘Don’t get me wrong… I like it. If we ever do another bail up, I think we should use it.’

John bade his fellow bushranger goodnight and returned to his cottage feeling very pleased with himself.