Dick went along the balcony, thinking hard. It was obvious that Clare had found the interview painful, though he had tried to make it easier for her. She had been alarmed, but he wondered whether she had given him the warning out of tenderness for Jake. It was probable that she really thought Kenwardine was not to blame, but it must have been hard to acknowledge that his house was a dangerous place for an extravagant lad. Still, a girl might venture much when fighting for her lover. Dick frowned as he admitted this. Jake was a good fellow in spite of certain faults, but it was disturbing to think that Clare might be in love with him. It was something of a relief when Kenwardine met him at the door of his room and took him in. Dick felt that tact was not so needful now, because the hospitality shown him was counterbalanced by the theft of the plans, and he held Kenwardine, not Clare, accountable for this. Kenwardine indicated a chair, and then sat down. "As you haven't been here since you got better, I imagine there's some particular reason for this call," he said, with a smile. "That is so," Dick agreed. "I've come on Fuller's behalf. He gave you a check the other night. Have you cashed it yet?" "No. I imagined he might want to redeem it." "He does; but, to begin with, I'd like to know how much he lost before he staked the check. I understand he increased the original stakes during the game." "I dare say I could tell you, but I don't see your object." "I'll explain it soon. We can't get on until I know the sum." Kenwardine took a small, card-scoring book from a drawer, and after a few moments stated the amount Jake had lost. "Thank you," said Dick. "I'll pay you the money now in exchange for the check." "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."