'It's no good jawing,' said Nidderdale. 'let's get the money.' Then Montague offered to undertake the debt himself, saying that there were money transactions between him and his partner. But this could not be allowed. He had only lately come among them, had as yet had no dealing in I.O.U.'s, and was the last man in the company who ought to be made responsible for the impecuniosity of Miles Grendall. He, the impecunious one,--the one whose impecuniosity extended to the absolute want of credit,--sat silent, stroking his heavy moustache.
There was a second conference between Herr Vossner and the two lords, in another room, which ended in the preparation of a document by which Miles Grendall undertook to pay to Herr Vossner £450 at the end of three months, and this was endorsed by the two lords, by Sir Felix, and by Paul Montague; and in return for this the German produced £322 10s. in notes and gold. This had taken some considerable time. Then a cup of tea was prepared and swallowed; after which Nidderdale, with Montague, started off to meet Fisker at the railway station. 'It'll only be a trifle over £100 each,' said Nidderdale, in the cab.
'Won't Mr Grendall pay it?'
'Oh, dear no. How the devil should he?'
'Then he shouldn't play.'
'That'd be hard, on him, poor fellow. If you went to his uncle the duke, I suppose you could get it. Or Buntingford might put it right for you. Perhaps he might win, you know, some day, and then he'd make it square. He'd be fair enough if he had it. Poor Miles!'
They found Fisker wonderfully brilliant with bright rugs, and greatcoats with silk linings. 'We've brought you the tin,' said Nidderdale, accosting him on the platform.
'Upon my word, my lord, I'm sorry you have taken so much trouble about such a trifle.'
'A man should always have his money when he wins.'
'We don't think anything about such little matters at Frisco, my lord.'
'You're fine fellows at Frisco, I dare say. Here we pay up when we can. Sometimes we can't, and then it is not pleasant.' Fresh adieus were made between the two partners, and between the American and the lord,--and then Fisker was taken off on his way towards Frisco.
'He's not half a bad fellow, but he's not a bit like an Englishman,' said Lord Nidderdale, as he walked out of the station.