Leroy," she said. "You can settle a
knotty question for us. This is my latest acquisition. Now have I been
deceived, or have I not? Is it a Rubens?"
Adrien smiled at the two artists, who were slight acquaintances of his.
"You ask me while such judges are near? Cannot you decide, Alford--nor
you, Colman?"
"Well, I say it is," said the first.
"While I think it is forgery," laughed the second; and thereupon ensued
a lengthy and detailed criticism.
Adrien bent nearer to the picture under examination; then he said
quietly:
"Where two such lights cannot discover the truth, who may? I agree with
you, Alford, and so I do with you, Colman. Both your arguments are so
convincing that if Rubens had painted it, and were present, to hear you,
Colman, he'd be persuaded he hadn't; and if he had not painted it, you,
Alford, could almost convince him that he had."
There was a general smile at the artists' expense; and Adrien continued:
"Rubens' touch"--examining the face--"but--what is this?" He pointed to
a small weapon thrust into the girdle of the figure.
"That is a dagger," said Alford. "Here, where are the glasses?"
"Thanks," said Adrien, "but I don't require them.
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