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 "He'd receive compensation, wouldn't he?"

"Substantial compensation one would think—if he was able to prove his title."

If he was able to prove his title! Those blunt little words had a sinister sound for S. Gedge Antiques, but he did not turn a hair. "No difficulty about that, sir," he said, robustly.

"Quite!" Evidently Sir Arthur had no doubt upon the point. "But as the question might arise it may be well to have it settled before disposing of the picture."

S. Gedge agreed.

"And in any case, before parting with it," said Sir Arthur, "it will be wise, I think, to take advice."

Again S. Gedge agreed. "You mean, sir, it may be very valuable indeed?"

"Yes, I quite think it may be. At a cursory glance it has the look of a fine example of a great master. I remember at the time that 'L'Automne' disappeared from the Louvre, it was said to be worth at least two hundred and fifty thousand francs, and since then Van Roons have more than doubled in price.

"In that case, sir"—there was a tremor of real emotion in the voice of the old dealer—"this be-yew-ti-ful thing ought not to be allowed to leave the country."

"Unfortunately the French authorities may compel it to do so." And the connoisseur sighed as he fingered the canvas lovingly.

Affirmed S. Gedge Antiques: "I don't believe, sir, for a moment that it is 'L'Automne.'"

"One wouldn't like to say it is," said the cautious Sir Arthur. "And one wouldn't like to say it isn't."

"It'll be up to the Loov to prove it, anyhow."

"Quite. In the meantime, before you let it go, I