It was something of a relief when Kenwardine met him at the door of his
room and took him in. Dick felt that tact was not so needful now, because
the hospitality shown him was counterbalanced by the theft of the plans,
and he held Kenwardine, not Clare, accountable for this. Kenwardine
indicated a chair, and then sat down.
"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," Dick 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 Dick. "I'll pay you the money now in exchange for the
check."
"But he lost the check as well."
Dick 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."