Verral."

He hung up and turned to his hireling, fairly licking his chops.

"Cecil, Mr. Verral, in Milwaukee, whose address we have, has just ordered
6288, the F. Zorger flintlock Kentuck. Will you please attend to it?"

"Right away, Mr. Rivers." Gillis went to one of the racks under the
windows and selected a long flintlock rifle, carrying it out the door at
the rear.

"I issued a list, a few days ago," Rivers told Rand. "When Cecil comes
back, I'll have him get you a copy. I've been receiving calls ever since;
this is the twelfth long-distance call since Tuesday."

"Business must be good," Rand commented. "I understand you've offered to
buy the Lane Fleming collection. For ten thousand dollars."

"Where did you hear that?" Rivers demanded, looking up from the drawer in
which he was filing the card on the Leech & Rigdon.

"From Mrs. Fleming." Rand released a puff of pipe smoke and watched it
draw downward into the fireplace. "I've been retained to handle the sale
of that collection; naturally, I'd know who was offering how much."

Rivers's eyes narrowed. He came around the desk, loading another
cigarette into his holder.

"And just why, might I ask, did Mrs. Fleming think it in order to employ
a detective in a matter like that?" he wanted to know.