I felt
she was playing a r??le. I used outside sources, but everything bore
out the French origin. Still I wasn't satisfied. Subsequently my
_quasi_ suspicions proved to be correct.
One night Mlle. Valon gave a supper party in her apartments in the
Hotel de Paris. After the supper there was gambling among the guests.
Here in the privacy of her rooms was an opportunity to discover some
little thing that would either confirm her French claims or confirm my
suspicions. I kept my eyes open, but they could find nothing that
would show any connection with Russia. That is, they found nothing
until Mlle. Valon got up from the table, went to her boudoir and
returned nibbling on a piece of candy. It was the candy that gave her
away.
I saw at once it was a particular brand of Russian candy quite
distinct from similar confections in France and Turkey. In reality
they are natural flowers such as roses and violets with their
fragrance and natural taste in a champagne-colored, crystal substance,
the nature of which is a secret. Made solely by Demitrof and Sons of
Moscow, they are usually appreciated only by a born Moscovite. The
taste for them must be acquired. Only a Russian or one who had for
years lived in Russia would have it.
Although Mlle. Valon was personally unknown to me, five out of every
ten of these women were invariably known to the Secret Service branch
of the Continental police.
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