The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-15

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ground, but if you should at any time
think of disposing of the SPECIMEN
should much esteem an opportunity of
possessing so great a prize. If l am in
discreet IN suggesting this I trust you
will pardon the natural eagerness of an
ardent collector.
Your conjecture that there may not be
another specimen of Mokkei's work in
Europe is near to being correct, but not
quite There is one picture in a private
collection III this country, but l have new
er had an an opportunity of seeing it, though
How long do you stay in Southampton
am prevented from seeing you early to-
morrow, but if you can conveniently call
here at haf-past 6 l shall be delight
ed TO welcome you. AS you suppose, [
should greatly desire to compare the
Mokkei with my. copies. and this is my
ing on You myself. as 1 should have been
so glad to do Perhaps you will let me
have note in course of tomorrow, tell
ing me III l may expect you.
Renewing my thanks for your kindness
Basil Clifton.
Harvey Crook slept with the con-
sclousness that he had done all that
prudence would allow to bring him to
the third magnum of Tokay and its
possibly priceless contents. The chan
ces of course, were increasing with
chance against the Eye of Goona being
in the bottle opened on the Rajapur
had been decided in favor of the
odds, and the one chance in eleven
ten to one against-in the case Of
Mr.. Norie's magnum had also failed to
come off. The chances now, in regard
to Mr.. Clifton's magnum, were nine to
one against, which was no such des-
perate chance after all. But the thing
would have to be done with great
deal of care. Mr.. Clifton would prob
ably be in a far calmer mood than
were the two wild young artists,
Knowles and Sewell, the night before
More, he would be punctilious host,
which would make a vast difference.
Harvey Crook dispatched his note
accepting Mr.. Clifton's invitation early
the next morning. Mr.. Clifton had
said nothing about dinner, but doubt
less there would be dinner, and for a
moment Crook wondered whether or
not the old collector would expect him
to dress. Perhaps not, since the time
fixed was so early and in any case
the matter settled ITSELF for Crook had
brought no dress clothes.
He kept within walls for the best
part of the day, since Hahn must be
somewhere in the neighborhood, and
he saw no reason for giving that spec
ulator notice that his erstwhile tool
was a rival in the hunt He heard of
Hahn, nevertheless, for in the lunch
hour Symons came to the hotel to re-
port that he had called at the office
again
He looked a bit used up. Syrnons
observed; "a bit pale and wild, and
he seemed to walk stifly. He wanted
to see the marked catalogue again.. so
put on the slightly offended. I
thought l showed it to you yester-
day l said. But you can see it
again, of course, if you like Hadn't
you better take a copy this timer
He said he would, and he did.
Then he began to poster me for
addresses again. told you the only
one l knew yesterday 4 said. That
was Mr.. Norie's.. Do you want that
again. But no, he didn't want that
the mention of it seemed to give him
sort of jump; | don't know why. So
1 said: Well the only other names
are Smith. Allen and Curtice, and L
don't know their addresses. You can
find Smiths all over the town if you
want 'em, and there's. an Allen 1 can
give you the address of, though wheth-
er it's the right one or not can't say
So | gave him the address of the only
Allen l know-not the buyer, of course
and he rushed off there. 1 expect
he'll have warm reception. Aliens
generally mad drunk, and always
thinks stranger is bailiffl"
AS the time neared for starting, Har-
vey Crook took from his kit bag the
carefully tied roll which he had
brought from London with him, and
spread it out on the table before him.
1t was an ancient and much damaged
piece of silk, so carefully mended and
reinforced between itself and it's tough
paper backing that it presented a per-
feet network of innumerable patches
when held to the light. The silk was
brown with age, but on it, in Chinese
ink, appeared perfectly startling rep
resentation of wild goose, flying, with
outstretched neck, over a bed of rushes
wherein its mate stood. The whole
thing was done in a few bold sweeps
of the brush, but, Notwithstanding its
faded condition and the many mend
ings of the nine -hundred-year- r-old silk.
the picture gave a most amazing i'm
preston of life, vigor and movement,
and affected the mind like some lfv
ing presence.
Crook busted it carefully and reroll-
ed it, folding into its outer turn, where
the bordering brocade came, the ancient
paper certificate of authenticity. Hav
ing done which, he sent for a cab.
The cab took the same way that
Crook had taken on his walk to Norie's
studio, two nights before, as far as
the fork in the road. There it turned
off to the left, and ran some little way
among groups of small houses, sep
arated by gardens and an occasional
field. before it took another turn and
pulled up.
(To Be Continued Next Sunday.)