"Burnt powder, exactly, ma'am," they said, and smiled, too. But McGrath had still another card to play.
"Look at this here figure on this here gun, will you, ma'am? Here—there it is. I want you to tell me what it is."
"What is it, Shirley?" asked Miriam, bringing it closer to the light.
Shirley shook her head.
"I'd rather not."
"Please," asked Mrs. Challoner.
Shirley peered at it. Finally she declared:—
"It's '.38,'" touching the gun lightly; "the figures are '.38.'"
Mixley fell back admiringly.
"There now—no one can say we ain't been fair. You saw us take it from him; you examined it; and you told us what you saw. That's fair. You're fair and we're fair—see?"