"No, no! They are rough marks; I can see that. The picture has been literally torn from the frame. You ought to know how this panel was framed."
"Very simply when I gave it to Rovère. A narrow gilt frame, nothing more."
"Had Rovère changed the frame?"
"I do not know. I do not remember. When I was at his apartment the last few times I do not remember to have seen the Baudry. I have thought of it, but I have no recollection of it."
"Then you cannot furnish any information about the man who sold this portrait?"
"None whatever!"
"We might bring you face to face with that woman."
"So be it! She certainly would not recognize me."
"In any case, she will tell us about the man who brought the portrait to her."
"She might describe him to me accurately, and even paint him for me," said Dantin quickly. "She can neither insinuate that I know him nor prove to you that I am his accomplice. I do not know who he is nor from where he comes. I was even ignorant of his existence myself a quarter of an hour ago."