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32 "Odd that anyone interested in the rehanging of that portrait should not have called on some picture dealer for the service," Odell remarked to the attorney as they left the cab and crossed the sidewalk. "It doesn't seem as though a place of this kind could supply men fitted for the job."

"Not if the one who telephoned was ignorant of such things," Titheredge responded.

Again the detective favored him with a swift side glance, but vouchsafed no further comment.

William Kenny proved to be a tall, gaunt man who gesticulated loose-jointedly as he talked; and he appeared quite willing to talk at any length.

"About that picter-hangin' business." He rubbed one outstanding ear reflectively. "I did think it was funny when my men come back awhile ago an' told me as how the butler over there had tried to tell them there was a mistake; there wasn't, because I got the call myself over the 'phone yesterday."

"At what time?" asked Odell.

"Oh, 'long about three, some'eres. I didn't take partic'ler notice." Kenny rested one long arm upon the counter and regarded his inquisitors shrewdly. "Say, nothin' wrong about that business, was they?"

"Not a thing in the world, except that conflicting orders were given, and we cannot understand it," Odell replied in hasty reassurance. "Just what was the order that was placed with you?"

"To have two men sent over to the Meade house on Madison Avenue at seven-thirty sharp this morning to hang a heavy picture; they was to bring along iron staples and the strongest grade of steel wire. Now, we don't handle