"Do you expect me to abandon my rights?" he asked.
"I'm here to look after Mowbray's. You charged him what you call expenses, which you didn't incur. Guess you'll have to prove them if you take the case to court."
"One has to make inquiries about the security when lending money."
"As a matter of fact, you knew the security was bad. Mowbray told you that his land was held in trust until he was twenty-one. What you traded on was his fear of the deal coming to his people's knowledge. I guess his brother gave you all the information you required."
Davies' start indicated that the shot, made at a venture, had reached its mark. He grew angry, but he quickly saw that this was no time to lose his temper.
"It's a pretty cool proposition you make," he said.
"It's fair, and I don't press you to agree. Stick to your full claim, if you like, and you'll get your interest on what you actually lent, but on nothing more until payment of the principal is due. Then we'll give you all the trouble we can. But your hold on the boy is gone now that you know the money's ready."
Davies was forced to recognize that his debtor had escaped him; and, as it happened, he was pressed for money.
"Well," he conceded, "it's a small matter, after all. I'll give you a receipt if you'll put down the amount."
"I'd rather my bank paid this; it keeps a record. Then I want Mowbray's note as well as the receipt."