"Of course," she answered glibly. "I get six per cent. on most of my securities, and have to pay only four and a half on my mortgage. It would have been foolish to pay it off."
Murgatroyd smiled a cold smile.
"You're quite a business woman, Mrs. Challoner."
"I have to be," she acknowledged with a smile that was intensely pathetic.
"And that's all you have?" he asked a moment later.
"Absolutely."
"Your house," mused Murgatroyd, half to himself, "will take care of Thorne's fee."
"How much will that be?"
Murgatroyd jerked his head nervously.
"Thorne?—Oh, he'll take all he can get!" There was a short silence which Murgatroyd suddenly broke. "Mrs. Challoner, your attempt to bribe is no longer an attempt. You have succeeded. I shall set your husband free!"