"Only respectable people live here," he answered in a surly tone.
"When did he leave?" I went on, determined not to notice his rudeness.
"There has never been one here since I came."
"How long have you been here?"
"I can't remember."
"But you can remember a picture that you sold to a furniture-dealer in the Rue St. Lazare about six months ago."
"No I can't. I never sold one."
"His boy told me he got it from you."
"He is mistaken: I never sold one."
"Perhaps it merely passed through your hands. No harm will come to you if you tell me what you know about it."