Mirwin gibbers in seeming terror, clutching the squealing basket to his chest, "I kkkknow nnnothing, mmmmm'lord! I wuz just catchin' these rats for m'dinner under thisshere dock. I heard 'em hollerin' about that fire." He pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful. "Ya know, m'lord, methinks I heard someone run off the dock and up High street toward the market at Bellflower. Mebbe that'd be yer 'abomination'?"
