"What're you two space bums
talking about?"
"I'll tell you what! He's going to try--"
Loring suddenly stood up and slapped the shorter spaceman across the
mouth. Mason sat down, a dazed look on his face.
"You space-crawling rat!" hissed Loring. "You'll do what I tell you to
do, see?"
"Yeah--yeah, sure," bleated Mason. "O.K. Anything you say. Anything."
"What is this?" demanded Shinny.
"You shut up!" growled Loring.
"I won't!" said Shinny, as he also rose from the table. "You may be
tough, Billy Loring, but not as tough as me!"
The two men stared at each other for a moment. Finally Loring smiled and
patted Mason's shoulder. "Sorry, Al. I guess I got a little hot for a
moment."
"Quit talking riddles," pleaded Shinny. "What's this all about?"
"Sit down," said Loring.
They sank back into their chairs.
"It's simple," said Mason fearfully. "Loring wants to steal a
spaceship."
"A pirate job!" said Shinny. He drew in his breath sharply. "You must be
outta your mind!"
"You've called yourself in on this," Loring reminded him. "And you're
staying in."
"Oh, no!" Shinny's voice dropped to a husky, frightened whisper.
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