The Outcry

nder’s reply to it. You would have imputed to him on the spot the lively possession of a new idea, the sustaining sense of a message important enough to justify his irruption. He looked from o

, if you’ll allow me, in regard to what you appear to have been discussing, that it depends a good deal on just that question — of what your Mor

as through a shade of coolness for the slightly heated familiarity of so plain, or at least so free, a young man in eye-

unt of no breath of a chill. “I think possible, my lord, that you’ve a gr

sure that his lordship didn’t pronounce

about the world; so that if by an extraordinary chance yo

dy broken in. “Why, the

e acquaintance,” Hugh returned, “wa

up —“isn’t, after all, a Moretto at all.” And he continued amusedl

heign asked of the startling young man,

le that from far back — for reasons! — there has been a wrong attribution; that the work has been, in other words, traditionally, obstinately miscalled. It has p

he raised them to Mr. Crimble’s almost palpitating presence for the

me of the best — as yet. They made me wonder

tion. “Reflected, you mean, from ot

said Hugh; “and I mean from fine

ears, these centuries, have so

f thing the very sense of, the value and meaning of,

least quite understood. “Oh, we know a lot more about

Mr. Bender contributed, “that your

cried Hugh, “unless we ourse

ord Theign’s view of the speaker. “Were you

— collectors? Oh, I’m afraid I haven’t any — to speak of. Only it has seemed to

then he put them in their place a little curtly. “It’s one thing to keep o

me, as that I sha’n’t be glad of a higher and wiser opinion — I mean than my own. It would be awful

le, one of the great men?” his

dially struck in; “and this remarkable exhibition of int

r elated nor snubbed. “I’ve too much still to learn, but I’m lear

ord Theign laughed, “if you demolish a

ung critic answered; “but my whole point is that,

said Lord John, “is s

oment “Are you talkin

es are not

from the question. “Well, some things have in a higher degree that one, and

hest degree. But what you mean,” he went on, “is that a Ma

y, as I’ve just stated, to ‘come.’ I account — or I

ider that you acc

hall if you’ll

y to invite their companions to join in this estimate. They listened to him, however, they watched him, for the moment, but in si

eman. “Does Mr. Bender m

r than he had done yet at his other invader. “I don’t

higher to me than to any one! But how muc

h higher

at. How much highe

man was gaining time; he had the instinct

any

oretto?” Hug

’s nerves. “That’s what we

s practically presented, he were covertly studying signs. “Well,” he presently said, “in view of the very

ut a fine Moretto has a very great

the whole the same

!”— Mr. Bender judiciously echoed it. “But how,

d Theign,” Hugh brightly ask

a visible, a natural anxiety. “What would i

ies of the short list — in a private collection in that place. The conviction grows in me that the two portraits must be of the same original. In fact I’ll bet my head,”

h interest. “Mayn’t he be th

h was quite positive. “It’s the

u prove it’

evidence, I admit — and evidence t

Theign asked, “is

master, and who is generally to be found at Brussels? I happen to know he knows your picture — he once spoke to me of it; and he’ll go and lo

ed to wonder. “If

eve, if I ask it of

’ll be very obliging,

ged him!” Hugh r

be to we”— Lord Theig

dick has seen he intensely, ineffaceably keeps in mind, to every detail; so t

nder, “we’ve got to beli

ith emphasis, “would have to b

thing to do with it, I hope; but I think you’ll feel

a bigger thing we won’t complain. Only, how long will i

re he’ll be deep

took it straight up —

een them were snatching the case from that possessor’s hands. “The day I hear from Pappendick you shall

the moral. “You’ll have ca

s freedom had decidedly a note of their own. “But my conviction, after those moments with your pictur

ent to the inquiry I pay for the inquiry.” Hugh demurred. “Even if I turn out mistaken?” “You make me in any event

which he looked at his watch. “But I guess I’ve got to go, Lord Theign, though your

asis, but with his eyes for the time on Lord Theign; “and if you

ord Theign added to this; “you’ll reach it f

his pair of motor lamps. “Well, if you’re ready to

e his fellow-guest returned to the saloon, broke into the fa

d surprise at all the irrepressible young outsider thus projected upon them took for grante

quickened, could but rejoice. “Lady Gra

t way”— Lord Theign

ugh elatedly, an

lief in a quick comment. “Very sharp,

the young expert did bring certain things home. “The people my

” Lord John further remarked, “to have jumped at once to my idea that Bender is heaven-sent — and at what they call the psychologic moment, don’t they? — to p

again, threw up his hands. “Ah, with

utely thrusts his dirty d

Theign returned —“I’m talking of ease to

o great a convenience

f you want me to sel

its chill. “I don’t make a point of that — God forbid! But t

et-to — for him. A mere Moretto,” said Lord Thei

antovano wo

e proved that it

Lord John,

would suit me. I mean”— the explanation came after a brief i

guess there’s no limit to the

. But his air changed and a lighter question came up to him as he saw his daughter reap

counting for them. “They’ve marc

ness! And o

o are sitting it out.” To which she added, as

e’s in the library, to which you a

” she smiled, “to

glory.” Lord John clearly val

idly is?” And then as the girl, in her surprise, but wondered:

race echoed. “Why, ho

o you know the artist — o

d as her knowledge came to her. “He’s a tremendous swell, bec

” Lord John broke in

?” Lord Theign put it as if so many

vague body. “Why, I suppose in order that yo

ces not sought — they rather bore one!” Lord T

led at their guest. “Is he bored at having the

ause if he isn’t,” Lord Jo

ue. And fancy,” she exclaimed further, though as more particularly

imble!” said her father

d in Lord John a rise of spirits and a flus

g himself, checked him. “Go

ves. But I shall find you here, shan’t I?”

ter a look at her father she

d to seek Mr. Bender in presence of the object that most excited that gentleman’s a