“Well, sir,” answered the man rather haltingly, “it was a little sort of cup made of steel or gun-metal fitting closely over the barrel ...”
“And you don’t know what it was for?”
“No, sir!”
“Was it a sight, do you think?”
“I can’t say, I’m sure, sir!”
“You know what a sight looks like, I suppose. Was there a bead on it or anything like it?”
“I can’t say, I’m sure, sir. I never gave any particular heed to it. I used to see the automatic lying in the drawer of the wardrobe in Mr. Parrish’s room in a wash-leather case. I noticed this steel appliance, sir, because the case wouldn’t shut over the pistol with it on and the butt used to stick out.”
“When did you last notice Mr. Parrish’s automatic?”
“It would be Thursday or Friday, sir. I went to that drawer to get Mr. Parrish an old stock to go riding in as some new ones he had bought were stiff and hurt him.”
“And this steel cup was on the pistol then?”