lly superintends his own shop, which is the first
gun-shop on the Continent of Europe. Emperors visit him in person and he
receives them as an equal, though far superior to them in the science of
sport. An old man now, with a long white beard, he remembers the
fowling-pieces and rifles which he supplied to the Emperor Maximilian
before that unfortunate gentleman started on his fatal expedition in
search of a throne. He is a mathematician as well as a maker of guns; his
telescopic sights and wind gauges are second to none in the world, and his
shop front in the Rue de la Paix exposes no wares--it has just a wire
blind, on which are blazoned the arms of Russia, England, and Spain.

But, inside, the place is a joy to a rightly constituted man. Behind glass
cases the long processions of guns and rifles, smooth, sleek, nut-brown
and deadly, are a sight for the eyes of a sportsman.

The duelling pistol is still a factor in Continental life, and the cases
containing them at Schaunard's are worth lingering over, for the modern
duelling pistol is a thing of beauty, very different from the murderous
hair-trigger machines of Count Considine--though just as deadly.

To Schaunard, pottering amongst his wares, appeared Adams.

The swing-door closed, shutting out the sound of the Rue de la Paix, and
the old gun-merchant came forward through the silence of his shop to meet
his visitor.

Adams explained his business. He had come to buy some rifles for a
big-game expedition. Captain Berselius had recommended him.

"Ah! Captain Berselius?" said Schaunard, and an interested look came into
his face. "True, he is a customer of mine. As a matter of fact, his guns
for his new expedition are already boxed and directed for Marseilles. Ah,
yes--you require a complete outfit, I suppose?"

"Yes," said Adams. "I am going with him."

"Going with Captain Berselius as a friend?"

"No, as a doctor."

"True, he generally takes a doctor with him," said Schaunard, running his
fingers through his beard. "Have you had much experience amidst big game,
and can you make out your own list of requirements, or shall I help you
with my advice?"

"I should be very glad of your advice. No, I have not had much experience
in big-game shooting. I have shot bears, that's all----"

"Armand!" cried Schaunard, and a pale-faced young man came forward from
the back part of the shop.

"Open me this case."

Armand opened a case, and the deft hand of the old man