I've got him!" said Sellers to himself. Then aloud, "This is fortunate.

Could I engage you to restore some of my paintings that need that

attention?"

I shall be very glad. Pray let me see them."

No shuffling, no evasion, no embarrassment, even under this crucial test.

The Colonel was nonplussed. He led Tracy to a chromo which had suffered

damage in a former owner's hands through being used as a lamp mat, and

said, with a flourish of his hand toward the picture--

This del Sarto--"

Is that a del Sarto?"

The colonel bent a look of reproach upon Tracy, allowed it to sink home,

then resumed as if there had been no interruption--

This del Sarto is perhaps the only original of that sublime master in

our country. You see, yourself, that the work is of such exceeding

delicacy that the risk--could--er--would you mind giving me a little

example of what you can do before we--"

"Cheerfully, cheerfully. I will copy one of these marvels."

Water-color materials--relics of Miss Sally's college life--were brought.

The American Claimant