Part 21 (1/2)

As they walked out of the gallery she said: Im surprised youre selling the pictures-you seem so fond of them.

Cardwell smiled ruefully. Yes. But needs must, when the Devil drives.

I know what you mean, Samantha replied.

III.

”THIS IS b.l.o.o.d.y AWFUL, Willow,” said Charles Lampeth. He felt the language was justified. He had come in to his office on Monday morning, after a weekend in a country house with no telephone and no worries, to find his gallery in the thick of a scandal.

Willow stood stiffly in front of Lampeths desk. He took an envelope from his inside jacket pocket and dropped it on the desk. My resignation.

Theres absolutely no need for it, Lampeth said. Every major gallery in London was fooled by these people. Lord, I saw the picture myself and I was taken in.”

It might be better for the gallery if I did go, Willow persisted.

Nonsense. Now, youve made the gesture and Ive refused to accept your resignation, so lets forget it. Sit down, theres a good chap, and tell me exactly what happened.”

”It's all in there,” Willow replied, pointing at the newspapers on Lampeths desk. The story of the forgery in yesterdays paper, and the terms were being offered in todays. He sat down and lit a slim cigar.

”Tell me anyway.

It was while you were in Cornwall. I got a phone call from this chap Renalle, who said he was at the Hilton. Said he had a p.i.s.sarro which we might like. I knew we didnt have any p.i.s.sarros, of course, so I was quite keen. He came round with the picture that afternoon.

Lampeth interrupted: I thought it was a woman who took the pictures to the galleries?”.

Not this one. It was the chap himself.

I wonder whether theres a reason for that, Lampeth mused. Anyway, carry on.

Well, the painting looked good. It looked like p.i.s.sarro, it was signed, and there was a provenance from Meuniers. I thought it was worth eighty-five thousand pounds. He asked sixty-nine thousand, so I jumped at it. He said he was from an agency in Nancy, so it seemed quite likely he would undervalue a picture. I a.s.sumed he was simply not used to handling high-priced works. You came back a couple of days later and approved the purchase, and we put the work on display.

”Thank G.o.d we didnt sell it, Lampeth said fervently. Youve taken it down, now, of course.”

First thing this morning.”

What about this latest development?

The ransom, you mean? Well, we would get most of our money back. It is humiliating, of course: but nothing compared with the embarra.s.sment of being duped in the first place. And this idea of theirs-low-rent studios for artists-is really quite laudable.

So what do you suggest?

”I think the first step must be to get all the dealers together for a meeting.

Fine.

Might we hold it here?

I dont see why not. Only get the whole thing over with as soon as possible. The publicity is appalling.

It will get worse before it improves. The police are coming around later this morning.

Then we had better get some work done before they arrive. Lampeth reached across his desk, lifted the telephone, and said: Some coffee, please, Mavis. He unb.u.t.toned his jacket and put a cigar between his teeth. Are we ready for the Modigliani exhibition?

Yes. I think it will go well.

”What have we got?

There are Lord Cardwells three, of course.

Yes. Theyll be picked up within the next few days.

Then weve got the drawings I bought right at the start. They have arrived safely.

”What about dealing pictures?”

Weve done quite well. Dixon is lending us two portraits, the Magi have some sculptures for us, and weve got a couple of oil-and-crayon nudes from Desides. There are more which I have to confirm.

What commission did Dixon want?

He asked for twenty-five percent but I knocked him down to twenty.

Lampeth grunted. I wonder why he goes to the trouble of trying it on. Anyone would think we were a shop front in Chelsea instead of a leading gallery.

Willow smiled. We always try it on with him.

”True.”

You said you had something up your sleeve.

Ah, yes.” Lampeth looked at his watch. An undiscovered one. I have to go and see about it this morning. Still, it can wait until Ive had my coffee.

Lampeth thought about the forger as his taxi threaded its way through the West End toward the City. The man was a lunatic, of course: but a lunatic with altruistic motives. It was easy to be philanthropic with other peoples money.

Undoubtedly, the sensible thing would be to give in to his demands. Lampeth just hated to be blackmailed.

The cab pulled into the forecourt of the agency and Lampeth entered the building. An a.s.sistant helped him with his overcoat, which he had worn because of the chill breezes of early September.

Lipsey was waiting for him in his office, the inevitable gla.s.s of sherry ready on the table. Lampeth settled his bulk into a chair. He sipped the sherry to warm him.

So youve got it.

Lipsey nodded. He turned to the wall and swung aside a section of bookcase to reveal a safe. With a key attached by a thin chain to the waist of his trousers, he unlocked the door.

Its as well Ive a big safe,” he said. He reached in with both hands and took out a framed canvas about four feet by three feet. He propped it on his desk where Lampeth could see it, and stood behind it, supporting it.

Lampeth stared for a minute. Then he put down his sherry gla.s.s, got up, and came closer. He took a magnifier from his pocket and studied the brush-work. Then he stood back and looked again.