"Is this true?" she demanded of me.
I felt as if the worst were over now. A sudden calmness descended on me. It was a sort of relief to be able to be myself. "Quite true," I said.
"What's your game?" she demanded scowling.
"Do you need to ask?"
There was a commotion among the men. I heard different exclamations and demands. Some were for despatching me on the spot; one suggested I be held for a million dollars' ransom.
Lorina turned on the last speaker. "You fool!" she cried. "Ten millions wouldn't save him! He gets a perpetual lodging in my cellar!"
Cries of approval, more laughter greeted this.
From her dress Lorina drew the gun I had given her a little while before. "Hands up!" she commanded.
Now I knew it was not loaded, and I had a loaded gun in my pocket. But so had every other man there, and all had more practice in drawing their weapons than I. So I thought it best to obey. Up went my hands.
"Foxy, Jim, frisk him!" said Lorina.