interest and official vigilance increased as the matter became
more widely known, and Deplis was unable to take a simple dip in
the sea or river on the hottest afternoon unless clothed up to the
collarbone in a substantial bathing garment. Later on the
authorities of Bergamo, conceived the idea that salt water might
be injurious to the masterpiece, and a perpetual injunction was
obtained which debarred the muchly harassed commercial traveller
from sea bathing under any circumstances. Altogether, he was
fervently thankful when his firm of employers found him a new
range of activities in the neighbourhood of Bordeaux. His
thankfulness, however, ceased abruptly at the Franco-Italian
frontier. An imposing array of official force barred his
departure, and he was sternly reminded of the stringent law which
forbids the exportation of Italian works of art.

"A diplomatic parley ensued between the Luxemburgian and Italian
Governments, and at one time the European situation became
overcast with the possibilities of trouble. But the Italian
Government stood firm; it declined to concern itself in the least
with the fortunes or even the existence of Henri Deplis,
commercial traveller, but was immovable in its decision that the
Fall of Icarus (by the late Pincini, Andreas) at present the
property of the municipality of Bergamo, should not leave the
country.

"The excitement died down in time, but the unfortunate Deplis, who
was of a constitutionally retiring disposition, found himself a
few months later, once more the storm-centre of a furious
controversy. A certain German art expert, who had obtained from
the municipality of Bergamo permission to inspect the famous