# Prologue explained — A Bid for Fortune

> Chapter companion for A Bid for Fortune by Guy Boothby.

## What happens

The manager of the Imperial Restaurant, Mr. McPherson, is perplexed by a mysterious letter from Dr. Nikola, written three months earlier from Cuyaba, Brazil, ordering a dinner for four on a specific date. Despite his doubts, the preparations are made. At ten minutes to eight, three men arrive separately, each presenting a card with a red dot: a clergyman, a well-dressed American named Eastover, and a tall, pockmarked man. They are shown to room No. 22. Later, Dr. Nikola meets with his agents—Eastover, Prendergast, and Baxter—assigning them tasks to execute his scheme against a man named Wetherell, whom he vows to ruin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

The entire prologue revolves around Dr. Nikola's secretive plans, the mysterious letter, and the agents' covert roles, highlighting themes of hidden identities and manipulation.

### Fate and Coincidence

The precisely timed dinner and the orchestrated meeting of strangers suggest a predetermined scheme, emphasizing fate and coincidence.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Nikola

The orchestrator of the mysterious dinner and the plot against Wetherell; he gives orders to his agents from the Imperial Restaurant.

### Richard Hatteras

Not directly present in this chapter; no appearance.

### Prendergast

One of Dr. Nikola's agents, instructed to deliver a letter in Paris and report back.

### Eastover

An agent of Dr. Nikola, ordered to book passage to Sydney and receive final instructions.

### McMurtough

Not present; no appearance.

### Mr. Matchem

Not present; no appearance.

### Lord Beckenham

Referenced as the young Marquis of Beckenham, whose tutor is Baxter; not directly appearing.

### Mr. Thompson

Not present; no appearance.

## Key lines

> It’s really the most extraordinary affair I ever had to do with.

Mr. McPherson finds the situation highly unusual.

_Expresses the manager's bewilderment over the letter._

> I am maturing a plan which will make him a poor and a very miserable man at one and the same time.

Dr. Nikola is developing a scheme to ruin Wetherell financially and emotionally.

_Reveals Nikola's vengeful intent._

> While you are serving me you are mine body and soul.

Nikola demands total loyalty and obedience from his agents.

_Highlights the control Nikola exerts over his subordinates._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/prologue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters