"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." "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." CHAPTER XVII THE BLACK-FUNNEL BOAT The breeze had fallen and the shining sea was smooth as glass when the launch passed Adexe. Dick, who lounged at the helm, was not going there. Some alterations to a mole along the coast had just been finished, and Stuyvesant had sent him to engage the contractor who had done the concrete work. Jake, who occasionally found his duties irksome, had insisted on coming.