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 He didn't need the signature in the lower corner of the canvas to tell him the artist's name; that "P. Lynde" was quite superfluous. An instant later he was inside, facing a dignified, frock-coated salesman.

"I want to ask the price of that picture in the window, the one by Miss Lynde," he announced.

The salesman refreshed his memory by a glance at the object in question.

"Fifty dollars, sir," he replied. "A charming thing; quite one of the best I have seen by the artist; a typical example of her finest work."

"Fifty dollars?" repeated Miles. "You—er—you don't think she would take more?"

"More?" exclaimed the salesman. "You mean less?"

"No, I mean more," said Miles, firmly.