"
It was probably worth about thirty-five. Rand was intrigued by this
second instance of an un-Rivers-like willingness to spare no expense to
get possession of a .36-caliber percussion revolver.
"Did he have it in his hands?" he asked.
"Oh, yes; he looked it over carefully. I suppose he thought he could get
a lot of money for it, because of the accident, and Mr. Fleming being
such a prominent man," Kirchner suggested.
Rand allowed himself to be struck by an idea.
"Say, you know, that _would_ make it worth more, at that!" he exclaimed.
"What do you know! I never thought of that.... Look, Mr. Kirchner; I'm
supposed to get as much money for these pistols, for the heirs, as I can.
How would you like to give me a letter, vouching for this as the pistol
Mr. Fleming killed himself with? Put in how you found it in his hand, and
mention the serial numbers, so that whoever buys it will know it's the
same revolver." He picked up the Colt and showed Kirchner the serials, on
the butt, and in front of the trigger-guard. "See, here it is: 2444."
Kirchner would be more than willing to oblige Mr. Goode's agent; he typed
out the letter himself, looked twice at the revolver to make sure of the
number, took Rand's word for the make, model, and caliber, signed it, and
even slammed his seal down on it.
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