"And even the chief, it seems!"
"So it seems."
Amazement overcame him afresh. "You—you little thing!" he cried. "I cannot believe it!"
Corinna affected to look bored.
"So this was the real work of the brotherhood!" Evan went on. "Blackmail. This was why you couldn't fire them when they threatened you. A new way to raise money for philanthropic purposes, I swear! To hold up a usurer with one hand, and feed poor children with the other!"
"A usurer, yes," said Corinna contemptuously. "Your master!"
"That doesn't get under my skin," retorted Evan coolly. "No man is my master a day longer than I choose." He dissolved in amazement again. "But you! To think up such a scheme! To carry it out!"
"Oh, spare me your bleating!" said Corinna impatiently. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Turn you over to the police," he said promptly.
"Three of my friends are sleeping across the hall," she said.