Hubbard Christopher's best friend in Berlin between the wars, Rothchild is a Russian émigré, impeccably dressed, with the wiry figure of a fencer. He has perfect teeth and languid eyes. He advises Hubbard to establish an account at Horcher's restaurant as a hedge against hyperinflation. Lori von Buechler, Hubbard's future wife, takes an instant dislike to Rothchild, whom she invariably calls "Hubbard's Russian." She considers him a human rat. Rothchild fights in the Spanish Civil War on the nationalist side. In August of 1939, as the Nazis and Soviets sign a non-aggression pact, Otto is warned by Horst Bülow, a member of the Abwehr, to flee Germany because he is on Stalin's wanted list.