Part 25 (1/2)

”As you haven't been here since you got better, I imagine there's some particular reason for this call,” he said, with a smile.

”That is so,” d.i.c.k agreed. ”I've come on Fuller's behalf. He gave you a check the other night. Have you cashed it yet?”

”No. I imagined he might want to redeem it.”

”He does; but, to begin with, I'd like to know how much he lost before he staked the check. I understand he increased the original stakes during the game.”

”I dare say I could tell you, but I don't see your object.”

”I'll explain it soon. We can't get on until I know the sum.”

Kenwardine took a small, card-scoring book from a drawer, and after a few moments stated the amount Jake had lost.

”Thank you,” said d.i.c.k. ”I'll pay you the money now in exchange for the check.”

”But he lost the check as well.”

d.i.c.k hesitated. He had a repugnant part to play, since he must accuse the man who had taken him into his house when he was wounded of conspiring to rob a drunken lad. For all that, his benefactor's son should not be ruined, and he meant to separate him from Kenwardine.

”I think not,” he answered coolly. ”But suppose we let that go? The check is worthless, because payment can be stopped, but I'm willing to give you what Fuller had already lost.”

Kenwardine raised his eyebrows in ironical surprise. ”This is a somewhat extraordinary course. Is Mr. Fuller in the habit of disowning his debts?

You know the rule about a loss at cards.”

”Fuller has left the thing in my hands, and you must hold me responsible.

I mean to stick to the line I've taken.”

”Then perhaps you won't mind explaining on what grounds you take it.”

”Since you insist! Fuller was drunk when he made the bet. As you were his host, it was your duty to stop the game.”

”The exact point when an excited young man ceases to be sober is remarkably hard to fix,” Kenwardine answered dryly. ”It would be awkward for the host if he fixed it too soon, and insulting to the guest.”

”That's a risk you should have taken. For another thing, Fuller states that a trump was played by a man who ought not to have had it.”

Kenwardine smiled. ”Doesn't it strike you that you're urging conflicting reasons? First you declare that Fuller was drunk, and then that he was able to detect clever players at cheating. Your argument contradicts itself and is plainly absurd.”

”Anyhow, I mean to urge it,” d.i.c.k said doggedly.

”Well,” said Kenwardine with a steady look, ”I've no doubt you see what this implies. You charge me with a plot to intoxicate your friend and take a mean advantage of his condition.”

”No; I don't go so far. I think you should have stopped the game, but Fuller accuses a man called Black of playing the wrong card. In fact, I admit that you don't mean to harm him, by taking it for granted that you'll let me have the check, because if you kept it, you'd have some hold on him.”

”A firm hold,” Kenwardine remarked.

d.i.c.k had partly expected this, and had his answer ready. ”Not so firm as you think. If there was no other way, it would force me to stop payment and inform my employer. It would be much better that Jake should have to deal with his father than with your friends.”

”You seem to have thought over the matter carefully,” Kenwardine rejoined. ”Well, personally, I'm willing to accept your offer and give up the check; but I must consult the others, since their loss is as much as mine. Will you wait while I go to the telephone?”