been sold by some Austrian nobleman, an anti-Nazi refugee, in whose
family they had been since the reign of Maximilian II. They are, of
course, fabrications. I looked up the family in the _Almanach de Gotha_;
it simply never existed. At first, Mr. Fleming had been inclined to take
the view that Rivers had been equally victimized with himself. However,
when Rivers refused to take back the pistols and refund the purchase
price, he altered his opinion. He placed them in my hands, instructing me
to bring suit and also start criminal action; he was in a fearful rage
about it, and swore that he'd drive Rivers out of business. However,
before I could start action, Mr. Fleming was killed in that accident, and
as he was the sole witness to the fact of the sale, and as none of the
heirs was interested, I did nothing about it. In fact, I advised them
that action against Rivers would cost the estate more than they could
hope to recover in damages." He picked up one of the pistols and examined
it. "Now, I don't know what to do about these."

"Take them home and hang them over the mantel," Rand advised. "If I'm
going to have anything to do with selling the collection, I don't want
anything to do with them."

Goode was peering at the ivory inlay on the underbelly of the stock.

"They are beautiful, and I don't care when they were made," he said. "I
think, if nobody else wants them, I'll do just that.... Now, Mr. Rand,
what had you intended doing about the collection?"

"Well, that's what I came to see you about, Mr. Goode. As I understand
it, it is you who are officially responsible for selling the collection,
and the proceeds would be turned over to you for distribution to Mrs.
Fleming, Mrs. Dunmore and Mrs. Varcek. Is that correct?"