She shrugged.
"In plain language, I'm either to give you, or have stolen from me, whatever sum of money you think fit to assess as a fine for what you would call my misdeeds."
"Madam, you have a wonderful gift of coming to the point."
"This money will be supposedly collected for charity," she went on, "but you will take your commission for collecting it before you pass it on."
"That was the general idea, Maggie."
She lighted a cigarette.
"I suppose I shouldn't be allowed to ask why it's a crime for me to make a living in exactly the same way as you do?"
"There is a difference. I don't set myself up too seriously as a public benefactor. As a matter of fact, most people would tell you that I was a crook. If you want that point of view, ask a policeman."
Her thin lips puckered with watchful mockery.
"That seems to make me smarter than you are, Mr. Templar. The policeman would arrest you, but he'd tip his hat to me."