'Artist unknown.' I suppose, as it's a real oil painting, it's worth a
bit, isn't it?"

"It is not an oil painting at all," Burton said quietly.

"Wot yer mean?" the woman demanded. "Here you are--lot number
17--'Interesting oil painting of the Right Honorable W. E. Gladstone,
artist unknown.'"

Burton thrust the catalogue away from him with a sigh.

"I am afraid," he admitted, "that the description can scarcely be said
to be entirely accurate. As a matter of fact, it is a colored
lithograph, very cleverly done but quite valueless. I dare say you
would find that there are thousands of them exactly like it."

The woman stared at him suspiciously.

"Why, your guvnor's just told me that the reserve upon it's two
guineas!" she exclaimed.

"Mr. Waddington must have made a mistake," Burton replied, with a
sinking heart.

"Look here," the woman insisted, "what is it worth, anyway?"

"A few pence for the frame," Burton answered, hurrying off.

The woman drew her shawl about her shoulders, threw her catalogue upon
the floor and made her way towards the door.