He stated his errand, asking Annixter to come over to Los Muertos that evening for seven o'clock dinner.

Osterman and Broderson would be there.
At once Annixter, even to Harran's surprise, put his chin in the air, making excuses, fearing to compromise himself if he accepted too readily.

No, he did not think he could get around--was sure of it, in fact.

There were certain businesses he had on hand that evening.

He had practically made an appointment with a man at Bonneville; then, too, he was thinking of going up to San Francisco to-morrow and needed his sleep; would go to bed early; and besides all that, he was a very sick man; his stomach was out of whack; if he moved about it brought the gripes back.