The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

his ever behold. He is said to have the finest collection of pictures in the south of England. though nobody ever sees them to judge; pictures, fiddles and furniture are his hobby, and he's undoubtedly very eccentric. Nor can one deny that there has been consider able eccentricity in his treatment of his son. For years Sir Bernard paid his debts, and the other day. without the slightest warning, not only re- fused to do so any more, but absolute ly stopped the lads allowance. We'll, I'll tell you what has happened; but first of all you must know, or you may remember. that I appeared for young Debenham in a little scrape he got into year or two ago. l got him off all right. and Sir Bernard paid me handsomely on the nail. And no more did 1 hear or see of them until ono day last week..
 The lawyer drew his chair nearer ours and leaned forward with a hand on either knee.
 "On Tuesday of last week I had a telegram from Sir Bernard; I was to go to him at once. found him wait ing for me in the drive: without a word he led me to the picture gallery, which was locked and darkened, drew up a blind, and stood simply pointing to an empty picture frame. It was long time before I could get a word out of him. Then at last he told me that that frame had contained one of the rarest and most valuable pie lures in England--in the world-an original Velasquez I have checked this" said the yawyer, "and it seems literally true; the picture was a DOT trait of the Infanta Maria Teresa, said to be one of the artists greatest works, second only to another portrait of one of the Popes in Rome-so they told me at the National Gallery where they had it's history by heart. They say there that the picture is practi- cally priceless. And young Debenham has sold it for five thousand pounds"
 ''The deuce he has," said Rallies
 l inquired who had bought it.
 "A Queensland legislator by the name of Craggs-the Hon. John Mon tagu Craggs, M. l.. C., to give him his full title. Not that we knew anything about him on Tuesday last we didn't even know for certain that young De- benham had stolen the picture. But he had gone down for money oh the Monday evening, had been refused, and itwas plain enough that he had helped himself in this way; he had threatened revenge. and this was 1t.
 
 on the Tuesday night he confessed as much in the most brazen manner imaginable. But he wouldn't tell me who was the purchaser, and finding out took the rest of the week: but l did find out. and a nice time l had of it ever sincel Backward and forward between Fisher and the Matropole, where the Queenslander is staying. sometimes twice a day; threats, offers. prayers, entreaties, not one of them bit of goodi''
 But" said Rallies, "surely it's a clear case? The sale was illegal you can pay him back his money and force him to give the picture up.'
 Exactly; but not without an action and a public scandal, and that my client declines to face. He would rather lose even his picture than have the whole thing get into the papers; he has disowned his son, but he will not disgrace him; yet his picture he must have by hook or crook, and there's the rub, 1 am to get it back by fair means or foul. He gives me carte blanche in the matter, and I veryily believe would throw in bank check if asked. He offered one 10 the Queenslander, but Craggs simply tore it in two; the one old boy is as much character as the other. and between the two of them I'm at my wits endi'
 So you put that advertisement in the paper?'' said Rallies in the dry tones he had adopted throughout the interview.
 ''As last resort. I did,"
 And you wish us to steal this pie ture?'
 It was magnificently said; the law yer flushed from his hair to his collar
 T knew you were not the men!" he groaned T never thought of men of