“At college, yes; you induced him to do that. That’s why I came for you now. I might have waded into the whole crowd and taken him out by force. Was tempted to do it, but my reason told me it was not a good plan.”
“It is strange to me that he should play poker with strangers. It’s not like Jack.”
“Well, I suppose he thought he might as well have some sport while he was away down here, and I don’t believe he is looking for sharpers in this part of the country. It’s more likely he thinks himself as sharp as these people. Besides that, they are playing a very small game.”
“How small?”
“Five-cent ante, twenty-five limit.”
“Well, I have seen a man lose ten or fifteen dollars at that. He can lose more if he is playing against crooks. But what made you think Diamond is in a gang of sharpers?”
“Mr. Jim Welch is playing with them.”
“And Jack Diamond is playing at the table with Jim Welch? Well, this is a surprise! I can hardly believe it.”
“I’ll show you.”
Hodge was not saying anything now, but he did not miss a word. He was no less astonished than Merriwell to learn that Jack was playing with Welch.