respectable manner. It was situated in Golden Square, and was a
fine old mansion of the days when that locality was fashionable. Her
servants were all neat and demure. Maraquito received a few friends
every evening for a quiet game of cards, so on the surface no one could
object to that. But when the doors were closed, high play went on and
well-known people ventured large sums on the chances of baccarat.
Also, people not quite so respectable came, and it was for that reason
Scotland Yard left the house alone. When any member of the detective
staff wished to see anyone of a shady description, the person could be
found at Maraquito's. Certainly, only the aristocracy of crime came
here, and never a woman. Maraquito did not appear to love her own sex.
She received only gentlemen, and as she was an invalid and attended
constantly by a duenna in the form of a nurse, no one could say
anything. The police knew in an underhand way that the Soho house was
a gambling saloon, but the knowledge had not come officially, therefore
no notice was taken. But Maraquito's servants suspected nothing,
neither did the gossips of the neighborhood. Senora Gredos was simply
looked upon as an invalid fond of entertaining because of her weariness
in being confined to her couch.

Jennings had appointed a meeting with Mallow in this semi-respectable
establishment, and looked round when he entered the room. It was a
large apartment, decorated in the Adams style and furnished as a
luxurious drawing-room. At the side near the window there was a long
table covered with green baize. Round this several gentlemen in
evening dress were standing. Others played games of their own at
separate small tables, but most of them devoted themselves to baccarat.
Maraquito held the bank. Her couch was drawn up against the wall, and
the red silk curtains of the window made a vivid background to her dark
beauty.

She was, indeed, a handsome woman--so much of her as could be seen.
Half-sitting, half-reclining on her couch, the lower part of her frame
was swathed in eastern stuffs sparkling with gold threads. She wore a
yellow silk dress trimmed about the shoulders with black lace and
glittering with valuable jewels. Her neck and arms were finely moulded
and of a dazzling whiteness. Her small head was proudly set on her
shoulders, and her magnificent black hair smoothly coiled in lustrous
tresses above her white forehead. Her lips were full and rich, her