Marc put up his hand again. "No," he said, "you don't understand; it's not that kind of a shocking story."
"A true confession, huh?" a voice said sullenly from behind the wine bins. "Don't sign it, Busby. Get a good shyster before you put your name to it."
"Please!" Marc said. "Let me tell you...."
"Not if it makes us accessories to the fact!" the voice came back. "I don't want to hear it. I'm putting my fingers in my ears!"
"Let's all put our fingers in our ears!" a blonde-sounding voice tittered. "It tickles!"
"Now, just a minute!" Marc yelled. "Listen! Someone here has stolen the silver and my wife's jewels, and I've got to have them back. The only thing I can do is appeal to you as a friend."
"You'd appeal to me even as an enemy," Floss giggled tipsily. "Advance, friend and be recognized."
"If he does," Toffee snarled, "he'll also be cauterized. Stay back, you two-bit lollypop!"
But Marc was not to be distracted from the matter at hand. "Now, which one of you did it?" he asked. "There won't be any arrest if you will just return the things."