"Nine months, two weeks and three days," said his mother, glibly. "Won't you all come in and see the baby?" she invited.
"No," Spear answered. "We must steal your husband for a' little while. There's business at the City Hall...."
"Adrian's become a prominent citizen, you know," he added at her look of pouting protest.
She brought her husband's hat. "Don't be long," she urged, and smiled a good-bye from the threshold. When he heard the door shut, Adrian turned on Brannan. "What's up?"
"Plenty," said the other meaningly. "The Hounds have broken out. They looted Little Chili about dark tonight and one of them was shot. They threaten to burn the foreign quarter. They're arming. There's trouble afoot."
"And what do you want of me?" Stanley questioned.
"Damn it! Wake up, man!" cried Spear. "A citizens' committee. We're going to enforce the law--if it takes a rope."