So perfect was her aplomb that Evan was taken aback. He half turned, uncertainly. But as he did so, out of the tail of his eye he saw Corinna's hand go to her bosom. He whirled back with the gun in his hand again. A woman is at a serious disadvantage in drawing.
"Put your gun on the box," commanded Evan.
"I have no gun!" she cried. "I will not be spoken to so."
Evan took a step nearer her. His eyes glittered. "Put your gun on the box. Don't oblige me to use force. I should enjoy it far too well!"
With a sob of rage, she drew a little pistol from her dress and threw it on the box. Evan possessed himself of it.
"Now we'll see about the three friends across the hall," he said mockingly.
He backed out of the room. Corinna followed to the door. In her eye he read her purpose to make a dash for liberty down the stairs, and he took care to give her no opening. He flung open the door opposite and flashed his light inside the room. It was empty of course. He returned across the hall, and Corinna backed into the lighted room before him.
"They have stepped out, it seems," he said mockingly.
Corinna disdained to reply. Like a child, she was not in the least abashed when her bluff was called, but immediately set her wits to work to think of another.
"How do you purpose taking me to the police?" she asked scornfully.