"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.