Magnus，however，declined。Hestatedhiserrand，askingAnnixtertocomeovertoLosMuertosthateveningforseveno’clockdinner。OstermanandBrodersonwouldbethere。
AtonceAnnixter，eventoHarran’ssurprise，puthischinintheair，makingexcuses，fearingtocompromisehimselfifheacceptedtooreadily。No，hedidnotthinkhecouldgetaround——wassureofit，infact。Therewerecertainbusinesseshehadonhandthatevening。HehadpracticallymadeanappointmentwithamanatBonneville。then，too，hewasthinkingofgoinguptoSanFranciscoto-morrowandneededhissleep。wouldgotobedearly。
andbesidesallthat，hewasaverysickman。hisstomachwasoutofwhack。ifhemovedaboutitbroughtthegripesback。No，theymustgetalongwithouthim。
Magnus，knowingwithwhomhehadtodeal，didnoturgethepoint，beingconvincedthatAnnixterwouldargueovertheaffairtherestofthemorning。Here-settledhimselfinthebuggyandHarrangatheredupthereins。
Well，heobserved，youknowyourbusinessbest。Comeifyoucan。Wedineatseven。