u will lie down for an hour, Lawrence, eh?" said the professor; "it
is very hot." But the lad looked so dismayed that his friend smiled and
said, "Come along, then."

A few minutes later they were in a store, whose owner seemed to sell
everything, from tinned meat to telescopes; and, upon hearing their
wants, the shrewd, clever-looking Greek soon placed a case of revolvers
before them of English and American make, exhibiting the differences of
construction with clever fingers, with the result that the professor
selected a Colt, and Lawrence a Tranter of a lighter make.

"He's a keen one," said Mr Burne. "What a price he is asking for these
goods!"

"But they seem genuine," said the professor; for the Greek had gone to
the back of his store to make some inquiry about ammunition.

"Genuine fleecing," grumbled Mr Burne; and just then the dealer
returned.

"You select those two, then, gentlemen," he said in excellent English.
"But if you will allow me, sir," he continued to Lawrence, "this is a
more expensive and more highly finished pistol than the other, and it is
lighter in the hand; but if I were you, as my arm would grow stronger, I
should have one exactly like my friend's."

"Why?" said Lawrence; "I like this one."

"It is a good choice, sir, but it requires different cartridges to your
friend's, and as you are going right away, would it not be better to
have to depend on one size only? I have both, but I offer the
suggestion."

"Yes, that's quite right," said the old lawyer sharply; "quite right. I
should have both the same; and, do you know, I think perhaps I might as
well have one, in case either of you should lose yours."

Mr Preston felt ready to smile, but the speaker was looking full at
him, as if in expectation thereof, and he remained perfectly serious.

The pistols having been purchased, with a good supply of ammunition,
guns were brought out, and the professor invested in a couple of good
useful double-barrelled fowling-pieces for himself and Lawrence; Mr
Burne watching intently the whole transaction, and ending by asking the
dealer to show him one.

"You see," he explained, "I should look odd to the people if I were not
carrying the same weapons as you two, and besides I have often thought
that I should like to go shooting. I don't see why I shouldn't; do you,
Lawrence?"

"No, sir, certainly not," was the reply: and Mr Burne went on examining
the gun before him, pulling the lever, throw