"I've retired for the last time," he explained. He nodded in the 
direction of China. "Been doing a bit of consulting work for a gentleman 
there. Complicated fellow. Dead now. Had many facets, but now he'll go down in 
history as just another damn Chinese warlord who didn't make the grade. It is 
remarkable, love," he said, looking at Nell for the first time, "how much 
money you can make shovelling back the tide. In the end you need to get out 
while the getting is good. Not very honourable, I suppose, but then, there is 
no honour among consultants."