“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.”