“An American purchased my debt yesterday, so I only need to pay him and not the club.”
“But you still owe it?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, you’d better let me buy you a drink.” He led Percival toward the gentlemen’s sitting room.
“I suppose it’s not so terrible. My father won’t find out about my losses as long as I don’t owe the club money, which gives me sufficient time to win it back. I am a rather good player, you see. I’m simply having some rotten luck, that’s all.”
“Of course, you are.” Jack stopped beside Brandt’s chair and put his arm around Percival. “Is this the man who purchased your debt?”
“Howdy, partner.” Brandt smiled brightly. “You’re back at it, I see.”
“Mr. Brandt, I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”
“It seems I have to head back to America earlier than I thought, so I’ll be needing my fifteen hundred pounds by Friday next.”
“What?” Percival rasped.
“It ain’t so bad, fella. This way, you’ll only be paying one week’s interest.”
“Interest?” Percival swayed on his feet. Jack put his hand on the man’s shoulder and guided him into a leather armchair.
“Ten percent, as agreed,” Brandt said.
Percival shrunk in his seat. “I don’t remember—”
Jack sat down next to Percival. “Do you have a loan agreement?”
“Sure do.” Brandt extracted the loan papers from his pocket and handed them over.
Jack pretended to study the papers and whistled softly to himself.
“What is it?” Percival’s face turned a sickly white.
“It’s true; you agreed to pay ten percent interest.”
“I don’t remember signing it.” He looked wildly from Jack to Brandt.
Brandt leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together. “Are you telling me you can’t get my money? Because that ain’t the song you sang last night.”
“I’ll pay you back; I swear it. But I need more time. Please, I cannot go to Debtors’ Prison,” Percival babbled. “I’m the son of a respected solicitor. It will kill my father. He’ll disown me.”
Brandt crossed his legs and eyed the jabbering fool.
Percival licked his thin, cracked lips. “If you advance me a little more tonight, I will double your money.” His face brightened a shade as though warming up to the idea. “Luck is on my side. I can feel it.”
“Advance you money when you already owe me fifteen hundred pounds? Sounds like suicide. Only a chronic gambler would suggest that.” Brandt smirked. “I can feel your desperation, Mr. Jebkin, and I don’t like it. Desperation makes a man dangerous. So, I must insist you pay up immediately. Otherwise, you will beg the money off someone else, lose it, and owe them as well as me. I’ll never see my money in that case.”
“But I don’t have the money to give you at present.”
“You own some valuables, maybe?”
Percival pulled at the skin on his throat. “My father has all the valuables under lock and key. But I earn a salary. Perhaps you will accept payments?”
“What, for the next ten years? Are you mad? You’re a mere law clerk and a hopeless gambler. I’d be a fool to take payments from the likes of you.”
Sweat dotted Percival’s brow. “I need more time.”
