Dunmore, has been insisting that we let him handle the sale of the
pistols, on the grounds that he is something he calls a businessman.
Nelda supports him in this. It was Fred who got this ten-thousand-dollar
offer from Rivers. Personally, I think Rivers is playing him for a
sucker. Outside his own line, Fred is an awful innocent, and I've never
trusted this man Rivers. Lane had some trouble with him, just before ..."

"Arnold Rivers," Rand said, when it was evident that she was not going
to continue, "has the reputation, among collectors, of being the biggest
crook in the old-gun racket, a reputation he seems determined to live
up--or down--to. But here; if your stepdaughters are co-owners, what's
my status? What authority, if any, have I to do any negotiating?"

Gladys Fleming laughed musically. "That, my dear Colonel, is where you
earn your fee," she told him. "Actually, it won't be as hard as it looks.
If Nelda gives you any argument, you can count on Geraldine to take your
side as a matter of principle; if Geraldine objects first, Nelda will
help you steam-roll her into line. Fred Dunmore is accustomed to dealing
with a lot of yes-men at the plant; you shouldn't have any trouble
shouting him down. Anton Varcek won't be interested, one way or another;
he has what amounts to a pathological phobia about firearms of any sort.
And Humphrey Goode, our attorney, who's executor of the estate, will
welcome you with open arms, once he finds out what you want to do. That
collection has him talking to himself, already. Look; if you come out
to our happy home in the early afternoon, before Fred and Anton get back
from the plant, we ought to ram through some sort of agreement with
Geraldine and Nelda."

"You and whoever else sides with me will be a majority," Rand considered.
"Of course, the other one may pull a Gromyko on us, but ... I think I'll