Brandon of the Engineers

"Anyhow, I mean to urge it," Dick 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.

Dick 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?"

Dick waited for some time, after which Kenwardine came back and gave him

the check. As soon as he got it Dick left the house, satisfied because he

had done what he had meant to do, and yet feeling doubtful. Kenwardine

had given way too easily. It looked as if he was not convinced that he

must leave Fuller alone.

On reaching the dam Dick gave Jake the check and told him how he had got

it. The lad flushed angrily, but was silent for a moment, and then gave

Dick a curious look.

"I can't deny your generosity, and I'll pay you back; but you see the

kind of fellow you make me out."

"I told Kenwardine you left me to deal with the matter, and the plan was

mine," said Dick.

Jake signified by a gesture that the subject must be dropped. "As I did

agree to leave it to you, I can't object. After all, I expect you meant

well."