Let x express my equipment and myself, let y equal skill and patience; x we shall say also equals the number 7, while y equals the number 5.

Now the fish are represented by z which is equal to 12.

It is obvious even to slow minds like yours and Pennington's that neither x nor y alone can equal z, the fish, otherwise 12, but when combined they represent that value exactly, that is x plus y equals 12.

So, if I and my equipment coordinate perfectly with my skill and patience, which most certainly will happen, the fish are as good as caught by me already.

The rest is a mere matter of counting." "Best give in, Dick," said Pennington.