``Yes,'' said Jane.

``The Kellys and the Houses give general orders to their
lieutenants. The lieutenants pass the orders along --and down.
And so on, until all sorts of men are engaged in doing all sorts
of work. Dirty, clean, criminal--all sorts. Some of these men,
baffled in what they are trying to do to earn their pay--baffled
by Victor Dorn--plot against him.'' Again that sad, bitter
laugh. ``My dear Miss Hastings, to kill a cat there are a
thousand ways besides skinning it alive.''

``You are prejudiced,'' said Jane, in the manner of one who could
not be convinced.

Selma made an impatient gesture. ``Again I say, no matter.
Victor laughs at our fears----''

``I knew it,'' said Jane triumphantly. ``He is less foolish than
his followers.''

``He simply does not think about himself,'' replied Selma. ``And
he is right. But it is our business to think about him, because
we need him. Where could we find another like him?''

"Yes, I suppose your movement WOULD die out, if he were not
behind it.''

Selma smiled peculiarly. ``I think you don't quite understand
what we are about,'' said she. ``You've accepted the ignorant
notion of your class that we are a lot of silly roosters trying