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 bought things to the value of twenty pounds one and ninepence."

In a voice which was a nice mingling of humour and pathos the old man interposed. "This picture, which I admit was bought for a song as the saying is, was among them."

"No, sir," said William, "I bought this picture with my own money from an old woman in a shop at Crowdham Market."

So much for the issue, which now was quite clearly defined. Sir Arthur, however, could only regret that the supremely difficult task of keeping the scales of justice true had developed upon him.

"What did you pay for the picture, may I ask?"

"Five shillings," said William, unhesitatingly.

"Five shillings!"

"It was as black as night when I bought it, sir, with a still life, which must have been at least two hundred years old daubed over it."

"Black enough, I allow," said the old man, "but it can't alter the fact that the picture's mine."

"Let me be quite clear on one point," said Sir Arthur. "You maintain, Mr. Gedge, that the picture was bought at a sale with your money, and this young man declares it was bought at a shop with his."

"That is so," said the old man.

"Do you happen to have kept a list of the things that were bought at the sale?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't one."

Here, however, the old man's memory was at fault, and this material fact William went on to prove. Under the counter was a file containing a mass of receipted bills, and from among these the young man was able