Part 5 (Pages 388-427) Summary

Francis asks Saraceni to tell him who the art dealers in England are, but Saraceni doesn't think Francis needs to know. The Germans are willing to exchange Italian paintings for German ones. That is all he needs to know. Except, Francis contends, that his painting is a fake, and it has gone to London. Saraceni tells him that it is just a student exercise, a test that he has passed. If an expert cannot tell what it is, then that is more reason to be proud of himself. The countess receives a letter from Prince Max relating the story of a newly found painting that is causing quite a stir among a few art experts in London. A mark has been found on the painting that could be a family mark, but it also looks like a gallows with...