The Rifles: An Excerpt

[umberto rossi]

In data 18 Jun 2004, verso le 8:16, jbor si trovò a scrivere su Re: 
The Rifles: An Excerpt:

> "Had we seen this Rifle first...?" Dixon, to appearance
>       forthrightly,
>     "we might be off with it instead,-- that is of course unless our Host,
>     the Sharper, be a particular Friend of thine...?"
>       Mason, his eyes protruding in alarm, tugs upon Dixon's Sleeve,
>     hissing, "Don't you see, there's a Curse upon it, for Heaven's Sake,
>     Dixon,-- ?" (430)

The rifle is in Lepton Castle mainly because it's one of the devices 
that may be built with the steel Lepton produces. Lepton is a steel 
industrialist, and it's no wonder that Mr LeSpark is in his mansion. 
Being a weapon merchant, he must be one of his best customers.

But what I keep asking myself is why should a rich and successful fop 
leave the comfort of his house, which is half casinò, half brothel, 
and go west. Actually there's something said about people who might 
hunt for the thieves of the Tub: 

"Then again," chuckles Wade LeSpark, "Lepton *is* an important 
Customer.... Maybe I should run right to him, with word of this Tub's 
Alienation. Maybe he'll send Dasp out with some Riders after you. 
Maybe this Rifle here'll belong to one of 'em." (430)

Ehhh... obviously P. never tells us straight away, LeSpark tells us 
that maybe the Rifle belongs to one of Dasp's Riders (White Horsemen, 
like those at the Cape, like the Ku Kluxers?). Mightn't that be the 
Evil Man killed by Catfish? Much more likely than Lepton leaving 
gambling and bodices and going west!

umberto rossi
___________________

		"A mulatto
		An albino
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