A series of five burglaries would carry less danger than usual because only the Kelworthy syndicate knew of their connection. But from the moment that he had discovered the ruthlessness of Granette, even to impersonation, he had faced complications – but none so alarming as Anita de Castilla playing with a mad notion like this, actually in Paris with a fool who had promised to help her break into Panneraude’s place should the Frenchman refuse to sell the Crown! For a few seconds Mannering could only stand and stare at Juan, who was waiting as though for the oracle to speak. De Castilla had always looked on Mannering as a man who could work miracles. Mannering’s tension lessened, more for the other’s sake than because he felt easier in his mind. “My God, Juan, this is the most spirited thing I’ve heard.” “Spirited!” choked Juan. “Spirited, when she will probably be in a French prison before the night is out; she has some idiot infatuated with her, men are always so ready to die for Anita.
