"That's the best reason in the world for keeping away from Cullum, then," laughed Dick.
"But I mean it seriously," protested Anstey.
"So do I," replied Dick
"I'm really a committee of one, sent here by some of tonight's draggers," protested the Virginian.
"Tell them of your non-success, then, do," urged Dick. "For I'm not going to Cullum tonight. Are you, Greg?"
"Ye-es," returned Holmes promptly. Then, suddenly, he paused in his moving about the room.
He now stood looking at his left hand, on which appeared a small smear of black.
"No!" suddenly uttered Greg. "I'm not going. I've changed my mind—-and for the best reasons possible."
"Now, what on earth has made you so excited?" demanded Anstey wonderingly.