〃I should think you were always a gambler。 The spirit of gambling appeals to you。〃
〃Every day and in every way a gambler？ You are about right。 Don't you find something stimulating in it？ To risk all on one throw … there is nothing like it。〃
Calm and stolid as she believed herself to be； Katherine felt a faint answering thrill。
〃I want to talk to you；〃 went on Derek； 〃and who knows when I may have another opportunity？ There is an idea going about that I murdered my wife … no； please don't interrupt。 It is absurd； of course。〃 He paused for a minute or two； then went on； speaking more deliberately。 〃In dealing with the police and Local Authorities here I have had to pretend to … well … a certain decency。 I prefer not to pretend with you。 I meant to marry money。 I was on the look out for money when I first met Ruth Van Aldin。 She had the look of a slim Madonna about her； and I … well … I made all sorts of good resolutions … and was bitterly disillusioned。 My wife was in love with another man when she married me。 She never cared for me in the least。 Oh； I am not plaining； the thing was a perfectly respectable bargain。 She wanted Leconbury and I wanted money。 The trouble arose simply through Ruth's American blood。 Without caring a pin for me； she would have liked me to be continually dancing attendance。 Time and again she as good as told me that she had bought me and that I belonged to her。 The result was that I behaved abominably to her。 My father…in…l