“Picture robbery.”
“Picture robbery! I was sure of it! You’ve made a mistake, Captain. I know this man!”
The sentences came out like a succession of pistol shots, while his eyes never left the face of the thief.
“I know you,” he attacked the smile again. It was a bullet-proof smile and never wavered.
“Well, who is he?” interrupted the real Travers Gladwin, eagerly.
“He’s the greatest picture expert in––the world!”
“You flatter me,” said the thief with a bow, and a side glance at Helen Burton, who was gazing at him as if both fascinated and repelled.
“You admit it then,” said Kearney roughly, unable to disguise the triumph he felt at this identification of a man he had never seen before.
“I am not so egotistical,” the other bowed, “but I will go along with you with pleasure and see what you are able to prove.”