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 he differed strangely from Uncle Si who could only render conviction in terms of vehemence.

Finally, as a clincher, S. Gedge Antiques growled: "Boy, you talk like a fool!" and head in air, marched with the aid of his knobby walking stick out of William's treasure house.

William and June having stood to talk with the old man, now sat down again.

"Thank goodness he's gone!" said June.

William confessed that the master had puzzled him considerably.

"'Tisn't like him to close his eyes to the facts of a case. I can't think what has happened to the master. He hardly ever makes a mistake."

Said June sagaciously: "Uncle Si being so wise about most things, isn't it likely that the mistake is yours?"

"It may be so," William allowed. But at once he added, with a divine simplicity: "I will stake my life, all the same, Miss June, that our picture is a Van Roon."

"Or a clever forgery, perhaps."

"No, no. As sure as you and I sit here, only one hand painted that little thing of ours."

"Then why should Uncle Si declare that it doesn't in the least resemble a Van Roon?"

"Ah, that I don't know. It is very strange that he should be so blind to the truth. As I say, it is the first time I have known it to happen."

"It may be," said June, "that this is the first time there has been so much money in the case."

William dissented gravely. "The master would never let money influence him in a matter of this kind."