"I'd appreciate your explaining," exclaimed Dowden. "It's kind of coldstanding here."

Peck laughed shrilly. "Then I reckon you better git your hat and coatand come along. Can't do US no harm, and might be an eye-opener fer Y0U.Grist and Gus Schulmeyer and Hank Cullop's waitin' out yonder at thegate. We be'n havin' kind of a consultation at my house over somep'n'Grist seen at Beasley's a little earlier in the evening."