Schalken himself he learned the story of
the mysterious drama, one scene of which
the picture has embodied. This painting,
which is accounted a fine specimen of
Schalken's style, was bequeathed to my
father by the artist's will, and, as you
have observed, is a very striking and
interesting production.'

I had only to request Vandael to tell
the story of the painting in order to be
gratified; and thus it is that I am enabled
to submit to you a faithful recital of what
I heard myself, leaving you to reject or to
allow the evidence upon which the truth
of the tradition depends, with this one
assurance, that Schalken was an honest,
blunt Dutchman, and, I believe, wholly
incapable of committing a flight of
imagination; and further, that Vandael, from
whom I heard the story, appeared firmly
convinced of its truth.

There are few forms upon which the
mantle of mystery and romance could
seem to hang more ungracefully than
upon that of the uncouth and clownish
Schalken--the Dutch boor--the rude and
dogged, but most cunning worker in oils,
whose pieces delight the initiated of the