A Fool and his money

Part 2
By Ray

The following morning I removed the business card and rang the old gent on his mobile. At the back of my mind I was sure he was a forthright guy and would offer some re-numeration for the return of his wallet.' Hello.' I said. " I think I may have found a wallet belonging to a gentleman by the name of Burrows."

"Wonderful." He replied. "Who am I speaking to?"

I told him my name and where I found his wallet. I was trying to be as pleasant as possible but my mind was racing. "I'll meet you somewhere." He said. "You deserve a reward young man for your honesty.

We met in a restaurant in town near his place of work. He chatted for a while but I wasn't listening. I couldn't stop thinking about the reward and so I asked him about the betting slip.

Oh yes, He said, Its worth about a thousand pounds."

"But why did you go to Frank Bradley?" I asked.

"Oh Frank. Yes. I used to teach him Latin when he was a boy and we have kept in touch. Even so, Frank said he wouldn't pay up without the original slip."

I wasn't surprised. A grand is a lot of money for an independent.

It was time to bite the bullet. "Sir," I said, "I am a gambler by profession and so my financial situation can fluctuate. It so happens that at the moment I am on a low. Now ordinarily I would have returned your wallet and expected nothing in return. But since my finances are a little low at the moment...well you did mention a reward."

"Of course, Sam. Without your kindness I would be down a thousand pounds. It's only right that you should receive half my winnings."

I had to stop my jaw hitting the floor. I was only expecting fifty at the most. The waiter then came over with the bill. I thought it only proper that I should pay for the drinks so I threw the stolen twenty on the plate.

He then said, "The only trouble is that it will be a week or more before I can cash the bet. My daughter is getting married in Scotland tomorrow and I have to catch the five o'clock train. If you give me your number I could contact you upon my return."

It was obvious that if the old gent had a week to reflect on this matter that he would have second thoughts. I suppressed my anxiety and said, "Let me call a taxi and race uptown to Frank Bradley. Your offer is really generous and I hate to push but I did find your wallet. I could have just thrown it."