Randolph. At the end of a letter of details
relating to the mines, he added:
"There are rumors now agitating people over here
and likely to become public property, that the
Sansevero Madonna has been smuggled out of the
country. I have reason to believe that the Raphael
you showed me in New York is not the duplicate you
were led to suppose, but the Sansevero picture.
How it was sold, I have not yet discovered, though
I do not believe the prince guilty of violating
the laws. But I know the Government has its secret
agents at work upon the case because of the
seeming luxury of the princess, whose new furs and
automobile are known to be far beyond her present
income. I more than suspect that these luxuries
are the result of Nina's generosity, but if the
Sansevero picture _is_ the one you have, the
affair will end badly for the prince. At all
events, I consider it best to carry the matter
direct to you."
While Derby was writing to Mr. Randolph, an animated conversation was
taking place in a little room on the ground floor of the gigantic palace
of the Scorpas. The doors were bolted, and the two inmates of the
apartment talked in whispers.
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