frowning in puzzled displeasure.

"And you think he's actually willing to pay that much?"

"Yes, I do. If he handles them right, he can double his money on the
pistols inside of five years. I doubt if you realize how valuable those
pistols are. You probably defined Mr. Fleming's collection as a 'hobby'
and therefore something not to be taken seriously. And, aside from the
actual profit, the prestige of handling this collection would be worth
a good deal to Rivers, as advertising. I haven't the least doubt that he
can raise the money, or that he's willing to pay it."

Dunmore was still frowning. Maybe he hated being proved wrong in front of
the women of the family.

"And you think Gresham and his friends will offer enough to force him to
pay the full amount?"

Rand laughed and told him to stop being naïve. "He's done that, himself,
and what's more, he knows it. When he told me he was willing to go as
high as twenty-five thousand, he fixed the price. Unless somebody offers
more, which isn't impossible."

"But maybe he's just bluffing." Dunmore seemed to be following Gwinnett's
line of thought. "After he's bluffed Gresham's crowd out, maybe he'll go
back to his original ten thousand offer."

"Fred, please stop talking about that ten thousand dollars!" Geraldine
interrupted. "How much did Rivers actually tell you he'd pay? Twenty-five
thousand, like he did Colonel Rand?"