“And I’ll go with you.”
“Go with me? You agreed to leave the moment I gave you that money! Aren’t you going to keep that agreement?”
“I meant to keep it when I made it,” said Hanks. “But since then I’ve changed my mind. I’m going back to the house with you, and you’ll introduce me to your friends. I think I shall enjoy myself very much.”
“On my word, I’ll wear stripes before I’ll ever introduce you to any of my friends!” flared Dale, as he whirled and strode away.
“We’ll see about that,” muttered Hanks, following promptly. “I think another twist of the screws will bring you to terms.”
CHAPTER IX.
ARLINGTON TAKES A HAND.
Arlington rose and stepped out from behind the shrubbery, standing where he could watch the two figures passing beneath the glow of the many Japanese lanterns. He saw Sparkfair mount the steps and enter the house without once turning his head toward the chap who kept so close at his heels. Hanks brazenly followed, and likewise disappeared beyond the hospitable door of Meadwold.
“Well,” said Chet, taking his cigar from his lips and tapping it to knock off the ashes, “my friend Spark seems to have gotten himself into a deuce of a mess. Reminds me of myself in the old days. I was always getting into some sort of a scrape like that. I sympathize with him, hanged if I don’t! Spark is a jolly good fellow. He is reckless and regardless of consequences, and that’s the way I used to be. Used to be? Perhaps I haven’t fully gotten over it yet. I’m hoping I have, but one never can tell. If deviltry is in the blood, it’s liable to break out any old time. Evidently this blackmailer has Sparkfair dead to rights. He caught Dale in a position that makes Spark look like a sneak thief. He’s got Spark going, and he’s bound to squeeze him good and hard. I think I’ll have to take a little interest in Mr. Hanks.
“I think I’ll have to see what I can do for my friend. From what I overheard it’s evident that Hanks is something of a card sharp. I should say he has been skinning Sparkfair and other fellows at Harvard. Probably he thinks he’s too clever to make a slip and be exposed in his crookedness, although Sparkfair claims to have caught him. It’s likely Spark couldn’t prove his claim that Hanks was cheating. I’ve been up against card sharps all over the country, and I think I know their tricks. Although I should prefer to forget it, I’ve practiced a few tricks myself. Really, I’d enjoy a nice, sociable little game with Mr. Hanks. I’d enjoy having him try some of his slick tricks on me. Yes, I have decided that I’ll cultivate the acquaintance of Hanks.”
Flinging away his partly smoked cigar, Chester returned to the house. The music of a two-step and the rhythmical sound of gliding feet came from the ballroom. Arlington slowly sauntered in that direction, keeping his eyes open for Hanks. He found the fellow just inside the door, watching the dancers. Without hesitation, Chester spoke to him.