Peter Brixton’s voice grew more conciliatory.

“What do you fellows know, anyway? You might let me in on it. We’ve done lots of business together.”

“We don’t know a thing, Peter; just surmise. And everyone knows it, for we haven’t hidden anything.”

“That there’s going to be a tightening up for a while?”

“Yes!”

“That it is coming soon?”

“No!”

“What then?”

“That it has come.”

Peter laughed a little hilariously, then his laugh ended with a touch of nervousness.