Brandon of the Engineers

"It's some time since you have been to see us," the latter remarked.

"It is," said Jake. "Perhaps you can understand that I felt rather shy

about coming after the way my partner arranged the matter of the check."

"He arranged it to your advantage, and you ought to be satisfied. Mr.

Brandon is obviously a business man."

Jack resented the polished sneer. "He's a very good sort and I'm grateful

to him; but it doesn't follow that I adopt his point of view."

"You mean his views about the payment of one's debts?"

"Yes," said Jake. "I don't consider the debt wiped out; in fact, that's

why I came. I want to make good, but it will take time. If you will ask

your friends to wait----"

Kenwardine looked at him with an ironical smile. "Isn't this a change of

attitude? I understood you claimed that you were under a disadvantage

through being drunk and suspected that the game was not quite straight."

"I was drunk and still suspect Black of crooked play."

"It's rather a grave statement."

"I quite see that," said Jake. "However, I deserved to lose for being

drunk when I was betting high, and don't hold you accountable for Black.

You'd take steep chances if you guaranteed all guests."

Kenwardine laughed. "You're remarkably frank; but there's some truth in

what you say, although the convention is that I do guarantee them and

their honor's mine."

"We'll keep to business," Jake replied. "Will you tell your friends I'll

pay them out in full as soon as I can?"

"Certainly. Since they thought the matter closed, it will be a pleasant

surprise, but we'll let that go. Mr. Brandon obviously didn't consult

your wishes, but have you any idea what his object was in taking his very

unusual line?"

"Yes," said Jake; "if you press me, I have."

"He thought he would make it awkward for you to come here, in fact?"

"Something like that."

"Then you mean to run the risk?"

"I'm coming, if you'll allow it," Jake answered with a twinkle. "The risk

isn't very great, because if I lose any more money in the next few

months, the winners will not get paid. The old man certainly won't stand

for it if I get into debt."

Kenwardine pushed a box of cigarettes across. "I congratulate you on your

way of making things clear, and now we understand each other you can come

when you like. Have a smoke."

Jake took a cigarette, but left soon afterwards to do an errand of

Bethune's that had given him an excuse for visiting the town. Then he

went back to the dam, and after dinner sat outside Dick's shack,

pondering what Clare had said. She had, of course, had some ground for

warning him, but he did not believe yet that Kenwardine meant to exploit

his recklessness. It would not be worth while, for one thing, since he

had never had much money to lose and now had none. Besides, Kenwardine

was not the man to take a mean advantage of his guest, though Jake could

not say as much for some of his friends. Anyhow, he meant to go to the

house because he felt that Clare might need his help. He did not see how

that might be, but he had a half-formed suspicion that she might have to

suffer on her father's account, and if anything of the kind happened, he

meant to be about.