“They were holes in the painting itself, which, in another year or two, would, in all probability, have become like a colander.” “Ah, yes; I see. I suppose so.” “But, with your permission, my lord, I will make the work perfect――so perfect, indeed, that no human eye will be able to detect the slightest fault or injury to it. Will your lordship trust me with the picture for a few days?” “What, take it away? Oh, dear no. I should not like that.” “I cannot very well do it here.” “And why not, I pray?” “Well, in the first place, I shall require assistance. These spots must be carefully gone over with colour, and――besides, several other things will have to be done to it.” “All of which, I presume, can be done here? If not, it must remain as it is, until such time as I meet with a good restorer.” “Then, as you wish it, I will endeavour to do it here,” returned Peace. It was so arranged. In the course of a few days, our hero sent for a well-known man in the trade, who was an adept in that branch of the profession. The effigy of the valiant Gervase Lord Ethalwood was subjected to the restoring process. The dirty brown――or black varnish would be the more correct term――was removed by means of powdered cuttle fish. Then the spots were carefully picked out with colour, which had to be matched with that already on. After this the face of the old earl was glazed, and when this had been done, the transformation was positively magical. Lord Ethalwood was delighted. He ordered a costly frame from our hero. In this the restored picture was placed, and then hung up in its original position in the gallery. He inquired of Peace what he was indebted to him; the answer was twenty pounds. Lord Ethalwood wrote a cheque for fifty, which he handed to our hero. Nothing could be more satisfactory than this little stroke of business. Peace returned to the “Carved Lion,” and told Brickett of his success, and there was a general rejoicing at the hostelry on the following night. Peace at this time had no reason to complain of fortune’s favours; he was doing a good business, had been singularly fortunate――had made a number of friends, and had every reason for pursuing an honest course of life; but he, nevertheless, soon began to be restless and dissatisfied. It must, however, be acknowledged that for a long time after his introduction to Lord Ethalwood’s palatial establishment, he continued to lead a respectable life. He was much taken with the girl, Nelly, but she did not seem to offer him any encouragement. This not a little vexed him, for when they first met she appeared amiable enough. He did not very well know what to make of her. But what concerned him the most was the mysterious disappearance of Bessie Dalton; this he could not in any way account for. He would have given anything to clear up that mystery. CHAPTER XXVII. THE END OF THE INEBRIATE.