He examined them very carefully, and guessed wrong.
Le Marchant smiled, well pleased, because he had predicted truly. The proprietor pointed to a bureau of oak, exquisitely carved.
"Is that old or new, monsieur?"
Quinney spent five minutes in examining the specimen, feeling the "patine," scraping it with his nail, staring through his glass at the marks of the chisels.
"It's old," said he at last.
"It's quite new, monsieur."
"I'm fairly done," said Joe. "This beats the world, this does."
"That piece," said the proprietor, "is signed by me here," and he showed Quinney two interlaced initials, cleverly concealed. "The original is in the Cluny, and valued by experts at four thousand pounds. I can sell it for sixteen pounds."
"Mark it 'sold,'" said Joe.
He bought chests old and new, panelling, tables and chairs, desks and wardrobes. The proprietor smiled, rubbing his hands together.