s discovered in an art dealer's window on Fourth Avenue
near Twenty-ninth Street," explained the chief of the detective bureau.
"And now kindly listen to these despatches. The first from the chief of
police of New Orleans:

"'Lely portrait discovered in pawn-shop. Officer Smith goes North
to-night to return property and claim reward. J. H. BOWEN."

The other from Pittsburg, in substantially the same language, reports
the finding of the portrait of the 'Red Duchess' in a private gallery.
This fourth picture is also on its way to New York for identification."

We all looked at one another, Blake the picture of puzzled anger and
disappointment. "Which is the true picture?" asked the chief. "Mr.
Indiman, I should be glad of your opinion."

Indiman, who had been examining the canvas held by Stone, answered
quickly: "Neither of these, and it is more than probable that the other
two are also copies by the same hand. Wonderfully well done, too, but
the study of portraiture is a hobby of mine; I have even contemplated a
monograph on the subject, or, more particularly, a hand-book to the
smaller galleries and private collections. But I doubt if I ever do it
now," he concluded, meditatively.

"The 'Red Duchess'?" persisted the chief.

"Of course, I know it perfectly. I won't bore you with technical
explanations, but on the back of the stretcher is the address of the
American art dealer from whom the original canvas was purchased. That
should be enough."

It was as Indiman said; each of the canvas stretchers carried a small
gummed label, the address of a Fulton Street art-supply shop.

"That settles the question," remarked the chief of detectives. "I may
say finally that I have this cable from the Minister of Police at St.
Petersburg, communicated to me through the Russian Consul-General:

"'Lely portrait recovered and replaced in the gallery at the Hermitage.
Withdraw published reward.

"'(Signed) SOBRIESKA.'

"A queer piece of business; but this appears to be the end of it,"
commented the chief. "Needless to say, gentlemen, that you are at
liberty to depart. My apologies for the annoyance to which you have
been subjected."

We all bowed and withdrew to the anteroom. Blake, blushing redly, came
up to Indiman; he began to apologize, stuttering pitiably, but Indiman
cut him short.

"Call up the coach and offer the driver extra fare for the best time
his horses can make to this address." He scribbled the name of t