"All right," she said. We went on past other windows and turned down a side street.
"I've never been this way."
"This is the way I go to the hospital," I said. It was a narrow street and we kept on the right-hand side. There were many people passing in the fog. There were shops and all the windows were lighted. We looked in a window at a pile of cheeses. I stopped in front of an armorer's shop.
"Come in a minute. I have to buy a gun."
"What sort of gun?"
"A pistol." We went in and I unbuttoned my belt and laid it with the empty holster on the counter. Two women were behind the counter. The women brought out several pistols.
"It must fit this," I said, opening the holster. It was a gray leather holster and I had bought it second-hand to wear in the town.
"Have they good pistols?" Catherine asked.
"They're all about the same. Can I try this one?"
I asked the woman.
"I have no place now to shoot," she said. "But it is very good. You will not make a mistake with it."
I snapped it and pulled back the action. The spring was rather strong but it worked smoothly. I sighted it and snapped it again.
"It is used," the woman said. "It belonged to an officer who was an excellent shot."
"Did you sell it to him?"
"Yes."
"How did you get it back?"
"From his orderly."
"Maybe you have mine," I said. "How much is this?"
