Evening star., 1935-03-17
March II, 1885

know"
"Yes, I'm going" BesserIey acquiesced.
II can't help feeling though, that you ought
to keep your eye on Dring"
"He will probably be drunk before the
evening is half way through, and then we II get
rid of him."
IF can be of any assistance, Besserley
suggested
You are just the man who might be-"
Copperas answered eagerly.
"I'll put you on Rosa's right, two or three
places down, because the Grand Duke may
be coming, and you'll be right on the spot
there. in case need hand with Dring have
never known him really to turn ugly, still
there's nothing like being prepared"
I'm going to take him away from here now
II can" Besserley confded He went over to
Dring.
Can you come and have luncheon with
me, Dring1"
Much obliged, General was the dubious
reply. Il want to get over to Nice some time
this afternoon, though"
'I'm going to Nice myself after luncheon,
as it happens. We can 60 to the Reserve at
Beaulieu, call at Nice afterwards Come along,
let's get out of this mob"
Dring, little stupid with the cocktails he
had drunk and the smoky atmosphere, suf-
fered himself to be led outside. Over luncheon
he became talkative. On the way to Nice,
however, he became gloomy again.
II want to go to the gun makers" he an
nounced. "Boulestin's.''
Good place." Besserley remarked. II 60
there myself"
do any shooting around here?"
mot much. always carry revolver,
though"
The devil you do! thought was the
only man who had sense enough to do that"
Arrived at their destination, Dring pur-
chased Belgian revolver of ordinary type
and few clips Of cartridges. Besserley. too,
made some purchases at the further end of the
shop. Half way back on the Moyenne Corn
iche. Besserley pulled up
Let's have look at your weapon" he
said
Dring handed it over Besserley sighted it
and shook his head.
ugly thing" he declared II don't think
could hit a haystack with it. Look here. do
you really want gun. Dring?"
What do you suppose bought one for'"
was the somewhat surly reply.
"Ill make you a present" Besserley
promised Il have been bit of collector and
| have one or two half that size that would
fit in your waistcoat pocket and would do just
as much mischief with less fuss
Very good Of you," Dring said slowly.
Il don't suppose shall ever want to use it.
You can't tell, though" he went on. Monte
Carlo is queer place"
Just so,' Besserley agreed. Anyway,
come down to my rooms and Ill show you
what have"
Dring lost all confidence in his own inferior
weapon when he had inspected Besserley's
armory. The latter selected one particular Six
shooter small and fiat in shape but of
sinister appearance.
This is one of the latest models that
Wilkinsons are turning out" he conflded.
There's no one much in this part of the
hotel Well take chance"
He opened the door of the bathroom and
placed half sheet of notepaper in secure
place The first three bullets were within half
an inch of each other through the middle of
the sheet. Dring enraptMed refused to dis
play his own lack of skill but accepted the gift.
That's a little present" Besserley told
him. because Ihave enjoyed your shows very
much and because should hate to see man
carrying blunderbuss like yours. Ill charge
it up for you,' he added, extracting the
remaining cartridges and filling it up from
fresh box. There you are. There's the safety
catch. Just close up the breech. Put your
thumb on there when you want to go into
action, and you're killer. What's more,
there's no one can see that in your pocket"
Dring wrung the others hand.