Presently she reentered and laid the red leather case on the table before Bob West.

The hardware man at once opened it, displaying a pair of old-fashioned dueling pistols, with long barrels and pearl handles.

There was a small can of powder, some bullets and wadding in the case, and as West took up one of the pistols and proceeded to load it he said in an unconcerned voice: "I once got these from an officer in Vienna, and they have been used in more than a score of duels, I was told.

One of the pistols--I can't tell which it is--has killed a dozen men, so you are going to fight with famous weapons." Both Arthur and Bill Sizer, as well as the groups at the window, watched the loading of the pistols with fascinated gaze.
"Bob's a queer ol' feller," whispered Peggy McNutt to the blacksmith, who stood beside him.

"This dool is just one o' his odd fancies.