"The women, who are they, and what part do they play in this
enterprise?" he inquired, during a short pause for rest.
"Mrs. Collier is the widow of a spy executed in France at the
beginning of the war. She is an American and was married to a--to a
foreigner. The Van Dykes are very rich Americans,--at least she has a
great deal of money. Her husband was in the diplomatic service some
years ago but was dismissed. There was a huge gambling scandal and he
was involved. His wife is determined to force her way into court
circles in Europe. She has money, she is clever and unprincipled, and
--I am convinced that she is paying in advance for future favours and
position at a certain court. She--"
"In other words, she is financing the game up at Green Fancy."
"I suppose so. She has millions, I am told. Mr. De Soto is a Spaniard,
born and reared in England. All of them are known in my country."
"I can't understand a decent chap like O'Dowd being mixed up in a
rotten--"
"Ah, but you do not understand. He is a soldier of fortune, an
adventurer. His heart is better than his reputation. It is the love of
intrigue, the joy of turmoil that commands him. He has been mixed up,
as you say, in any number of secret enterprises, both good and bad.
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