“The surface of the picture is not much injured. The dry rot, as it is termed, has not affected the painting, but it has left the wood like a honeycomb. What I purpose doing is to make a plaster of Paris bed for it. When the face of the picture is once safely deposited in this bed of plaster it will be then my business to make the panel upon which it is painted firm and secure.” “And, pray, how is that to be effected?” inquired his lordship. Peace smiled, and said―― “By a process I use in cases of this sort. It is an invention of my own, and I think when the work is completed your lordship will acknowledge that it is a very ingenious one.” Lord Ethalwood looked hard at the speaker. “It may be, but I am still in ignorance as to your mode of operation. I understand chemistry, and should like to hear something more definite about your process.” “The panel on which the portrait is painted is so decayed that you might put your finger through it with the greatest ease. I intend to fill up all the interstices with a solution, which, when set, will make it stronger than ever. When done it will last for centuries, but the difficulty will be in effecting this without injury to the surface, and before I begin I must inform your lordship I cannot be answerable for any injuries to the painting which are at present not discernible, but which may present themselves in the course of the restoration.” “You seem to be intelligent enough. Do your best――only I charge you to use the greatest care. You will bring your materials with you and work here, I presume.” “I cannot do otherwise, my lord; any attempt to remove it would be attended with positive destruction.” “Very well, Mr. Jakyl, you will see that the picture-restorer has all he requires,” said Lord Ethalwood as he left the apartment. Peace returned to Dennet’s-lane with the understanding that he was to commence operations at the Hall on the following morning. He was in some trepidation as to the success of his enterprise, which, to say the truth, required all his skill and care to ensure a satisfactory result; but he was not a man to be daunted by trifles. On the following morning, therefore, he proceeded to the picture gallery with several bags of plaster of Paris. His first proceeding was to see if he could with safety remove the panel from the frame, which was almost in as bad a state as the panel itself. He found that he could not do this with safety; the panel would not bear forcing with the chisel. He therefore prepared a bed of plaster for the frame as well as the picture. He oiled the surface of both, and, with the assistance of the young carpenter, in whose shed he worked, he succeeded in placing the picture and frame in its bed of plaster. This was effected happily without any mishap.