Scratch, scratch, scratch.
With a fountain pen, Sifa quickly wrote a string of numbers on the promissory note, followed by an elegant signature.
He then tore off the check and handed it to James beside him. "Please exchange this for chips."
James took one look at it and sucked in a breath. "Ten thousand pounds!"
Beside him, the round-bellied Paul's eyes lit up. A faint smile played on his lips as he said, "Looks like we're in for a fierce battle tonight."
A little later, James returned with a smile. "The chips have been exchanged. The club staff will deliver them to the card room."
"Shall we go, gentlemen?"
They reached the card room and pushed open the door.
Sifa saw a hall covered in thick, soft carpeting, furnished with tables and chairs and a bar.
Behind the counter, a waiter was polishing glasses.
Oil paintings hung on the walls. Marble statues stood in the corners, while books and newspapers lay on a coffee table off to one side.
Several men sat in chairs near the coffee table, discussing something.
Sifa glanced over, taking note of their distinguishing features.
They were all Intis men, dressed in flashy, ostentatious clothes.
One had a grayish-white pupil in one eye, which was probably blind.
Another had black hair neatly slicked back and gleaming brown eyes that resembled those of some feline.
A third looked staid and wore a gold ring on his little finger, which he turned from time to time as he spoke.
The others were comparatively ordinary, without any particularly striking features.
At the sound of the door opening, all the men looked over.
After enthusiastically introducing Sifa to everyone, James introduced the others to him.
The "One-Eyed Dragon" was Lambert, a retired military officer.
As he sized Sifa up, he