“A Smith & Wesson.”

“What caliber?”

Driscoll hesitated, then said, “A .38 — but that’s not an unusual caliber.”

“Any distinguishing marks on it?” Mason asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean — anything by which that gun can be identified, any marks or scratches?”

“Yes. A little V-shaped piece was broken out of one of the pearl handles right near the butt of the gun.”

“Was it blued-steel or nickel-plated?”

“Blued-steel.”

Mason said in a voice devoid of expression, “Let’s hear your side of this thing, Driscoll — no, wait a minute before you say anything. I’m Rosalind Prescott’s lawyer. Probably I’m representing Rita Swaine too. I don’t know about that. I’ll have to figure it out. I’m not representing you, and I’m not going to represent you.”