Sword of Rome: Standard Bearer (9 page)

“Will you not reconsider your position and
revert to the original terms of your agreement with Bunny? His investments will
mature soon and you will have your money.”

“I have the contract with me, but at no point
does it include a clause in which a dandified cricketer can alter the terms of
the agreement.
‘
Tis
not in the bond.
And I’ll have my bond,” the usurer
exclaimed, with glee and animus lacing his tone. “You think I but crave my
money, but what I am merely looking for is justice. Isn’t that right Gough?”

“That’s right,
Mr
Cardinal,” Gough chipped in, cracking his knuckles again and toothily grinning
(to reveal a lack of front teeth).

“Though justice
be
thy plea, consider this: that in the course of justice none of us should see
salvation,” Raffles pronounced, quoting from
The Merchant of Venice
also.

“It seems that you only have fine words to
offer up, rather than actual money,” Cardinal drily posited.

Raffles shook his head, either in pity for the
moneylender - or in disappointment, that he could not save me from financial
ruin.

“You may dress like a gentleman Mr Cardinal,
but the apparel does not always proclaim the man it seems.”

“A.J,
it’s
fine if
you have not been able to raise the capital. I am grateful for your help, but
it was not your problem to solve,” I said disconsolately, trying my best to
console my friend.

“I have drawn up some new terms, which will
extend the deadline for when you can repay your debt. I will grant you some
additional time. But as I mentioned earlier in the evening Mr
Manders
time is money. If you
would just read over and sign the new contract.”

Raffles and I glanced at each other, but there
would be no last minute reprieve. Yet I was heartened by the fact that, though
I would lose my assets, I would not lose my friend. Gough retrieved some papers
from his pocket and handed them to Cardinal, who tickled the air with his
fingers in anticipation of receiving them before placing the contract on the
table by his chair.

“Here, use my pen old chap. Also, if you need
some paper to blot the ink with use this,” Raffles said, whilst removing a five
pound note from his inside pocket and handing it to me.
“Or
this, or this, or this, or this, or this, or this.
Indeed, I do believe
that I have enough blotting paper here Bunny to absorb all of your debts.”

My prayers had been answered.
 

5.

Cardinal was aghast – and banged his tight,
bony first upon the table, causing the contract to fall upon the carpet.

“What is this mockery?” he loudly croaked,
spittle falling upon the carpet too.

“Justice,” Raffles wryly replied whilst still
retrieving money from his pocket, as it were a magical font for the stuff.

“You have made a fool out of me.”

“We both know that you have made a fool out of
yourself Mr Cardinal.”

Gough here grunted, or snorted, and moved
towards Raffles but Cardinal raised his hand again. Justice, or the law, would
not be on his side if he were responsible for assaulting a gentleman in the
Albany. It was not in the bond. Our Shylock merely proceeded to count the
money, twice, before leaving. He did so in silence. Gough however pronounced
the following, as he stood at the door.

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other again
someday Mr Raffles.”

“I look forward to it. Note that you may need
to change your tailor though should you wish to get in and encounter me at one
of my clubs,” Raffles smilingly countered, riling the brute even more.

It was only when my former tormenters exited –
and I locked the door behind them – that I finally sighed with relief. Raffles
and I then laughed, albeit for what exact reason I knew not. I clasped my
friend heartily by the hand and thanked him, tears welling in my eyes – before
finally giving in to my emotions, for once, and embracing him. It was only when
we were sat by the fireplace, whisky and soda-waters in hand, that I finally
asked,

“How did you do it? Where did the money come from?
I promise to pay you back A.J – and with interest, should you desire it.”

“There’s no need to pay me back. As I told you
before old chap, you would be paying off your debt with your own hard earned
money. Well, maybe I was exaggerating about the hard earned bit. Perhaps we
should say, well earned.”

“But I’m stumped. What money have I earned?”

“The money from our job this
evening.
You were right the other night Bunny.
We needed a target that was wealthy – and whose house would be empty. Some
people rob Peter to pay Paul. We robbed an Alexander, in order to pay
Alexander.”

My eyes widened in shock, but then in mirth. Things
fell into place, like a tumbler lock within a safe.

“I had to meet the fence directly afterwards –
and recognising my desperation he robbed us on the price for our boodle – but
your half of the haul more than covered your debts old chap. So cheers.”

“To a cardinal crime,” I added, as we
clinked
glasses.

“Now for that you should be punished Bunny.”

“You do not think that he will suspect foul
play on our part?”

“I am a dandified cricketer Bunny, who is
wealthy enough to turn down a bribe to fix a match. I suspect that I will be
beyond suspicion. No, the list of potential culprits will run as long as his
account books. I dare say, as a result of this night, the old miser will be
even more disinclined to venture outside.”

“Raffles.
You are the man who can turn someone’s fortunes at the turn of a
lock. I feel I will be forever in your debt however. Thank you.”

“You have no need to thank me old chap, it was
my pleasure. Besides, more than you thanking me, I should be apologising to
you.”

“How so?”

“
Mea
culpa.
I ran out of tonic water.”
  

Discover
more at
www.endeavourpress.com