The Madman's Room

There followed much friendly banter, wherein Johnny and David chided Francis for his timid betting habits. ‘How can you win anything if you risk nothing?’ asked David, at which Johnny shot Francis an amused look.

‘Actually, our student made a big bet yesterday, but the sly fellow didn’t think to tell us about it. Isn’t that so, Francis? Don’t deny it, I saw you at the window. What did you win?’

‘To tell you the truth, I haven’t dared to look. Patrick, can I borrow your newspaper?’

He thumbed rapidly through the paper to reach the sporting pages. In the silence which followed, his companions saw him go pale. He plunged his hand into his inside pocket and brought out a ticket, which he examined at length before placing it on the table. Johnny and David looked at each other and leant over to inspect it. They recoiled in astonishment and stared at Francis.

‘Little Joe,’ murmured David. ‘He put twenty pounds on Little Joe.’

‘Which was at thirty to one,’ added Johnny, almost falling off his chair.

The happy event was duly celebrated and the four of them left the pub at closing time. After saying goodbye to the two punters, Patrick and Francis stopped by the tote office to collect the latter’s winnings. Because Francis’s train didn’t leave until six o’clock, the pair decided to take a stroll in St. James’s Park first.

‘I can’t believe it,’ said Patrick, sitting down on a bench. ‘Winning such a huge sum in so short a time… I’d love to see Paula’s face when you tell her.’

Francis sat down beside him without a word. He took off his jacket, loosened his tie and looked thoughtfully into the distance.

‘What’s up, old boy? You don’t look like someone who’s just won six hundred pounds.’

‘If you only knew how I won it….’

‘By betting on a horse, and as far as I know, that’s not illegal. Anyone would think you’ve got something else on your conscience.’

‘It’s not that,’ replied Francis, shaking his head. ‘Just now I told you about Harris’s brother. He calls himself a clairvoyant. I don’t really believe in that stuff, but since my brother-in-law’s death, which he predicted, I can’t dismiss it completely.’

‘Pure luck.’

Francis smiled sceptically and took his time lighting a cigarette.

‘Pure luck,’ he repeated. ‘I’m not so sure. It wasn’t the first time he announced an event which came to pass. Besides, he had a great-uncle with the same gift.’

As they walked to the station, Patrick listened to Francis’s account of the life of great-uncle Harvey, which he knew already. The end of the recital took place on the departure platform because Francis had added all the strange events which had occurred since their arrival in Hatton Manor.

‘And it’s the same Brian,’ he concluded, ‘who as recently as last week told me I would soon collect a large sum as the result of a bet.’

‘It’s scarcely believable,’ said Patrick, lost in thought and seemingly unaware of the voyagers rushing past.

Francis appeared troubled.

‘That’s not all. He also predicted an incident, a sort of accident, I’m not sure precisely what. That’s why I’m not exactly jumping for joy about…’ He tapped his inside pocket. ‘What does the great detective think?’

‘To be honest, there’s nothing to say, except to be careful… You never know.’

The sharp blow of a whistle made them jump.

Francis, smiling again, extended his hand to his companion:

‘Don’t worry, Patrick. There’s a lucky star looking after me and you know her.’

‘Ah! Paula,’ replied Patrick, looking downcast.

‘Promise you’ll come and see us.’

‘Of course.’

‘I hope I’ll still be there to greet you!’ exclaimed Francis with a roar of laughter, before turning on his heel and climbing into the compartment.

Patrick stayed to watch the train leave and Francis make a last wave from the window, then retraced his steps. His mind was full of questions. He ordered a cup of coffee at the station buffet and sat down to reconsider the plan he’d been hatching for weeks, if not months.

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