‘The thin gentleman with hair very much brushed, be Gad?’ asked Legume.

‘I don’t remember as to his hair,’ answered Uncle Bill, ’but that’s the man.  Well, these two I know will act as vampires, and I am sure you will be pleased with their verdict.  Monday after next, therefore, we will all call, so be ready.’

* * * * *

The four artists took the whole thing as a joke, but determined to paint the pictures; and at Caper’s suggestion, each one agreed, as there was a play of words in the clause, ‘most work on it,’ to puzzle Uncle Bill, and have the laugh on him.

On the day appointed to decide the prize, Uncle Bill, accompanied by Messrs. Van Brick and Pinchfip, called first at Legume’s studio; they found him in the Via Margutta, (in English, Malicious street,) in a light, airy room, furnished with a striking attention to effect.  On his easel was a painting of the required size, representing Louis XV. at Versailles, surrounded by his lady friends.  By making the figures of the ladies small, and crowding them, Legume managed to get a hundred or two on the canvas.  A period in their history to which Frenchmen refer with so much pleasure, and with which they are so conversant, was treated by the artist with professional zeal.  The merits of the painting were carefully canvassed by the two judges.  Mr. Pinchfip found it exceedingly graceful, neat, and pretty.  Mr. Van Brick admired the females, remarking that he should like to be in old Louis’s place.  To which Legume bowed, asserting that he was sure he was in every way qualified to fill it.  Mr. Van Brick determined in his mind to give the artist a dinner, at Spillman’s, for that speech.

Mr. Pinchfip took notes in a book; Mr. Van Brick asked for a light to a cigar.  The former congratulated the artist; the latter at once asked him to come and dine with him.  Mr. Pinchfip wished to know if he was related to the Count Legume whom he had met at Paris.  Mr. Van Brick told him he would bring his friend Livingston round to buy a painting.  Mr. Pinchfip said that it would afford him pleasure to call again.  Mr. Van Brick gave the artist his card, and shook hands with him:...and the judges were passing out, when Legume asked them to take one final look at the painting to see if it had not the most work on it.  Mr. Van Brick instantly turned toward it, and running over it with his eye, burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

‘If the others beat that, I am mistaken,’ said he.  ‘Look at there!’ calling the attention of Uncle Bill and Mr. Pinchfip to a fold of a curtain on which was painted, in small letters,

‘MOST WORK.’

‘I say, Browne,’ continued Mr. Van Brick, ’he is too many for you; and if the one who puts ‘most work’ on his painting is to win the five hundred dollars, Legume’s chance is good.’

‘Very ingenious,’ said Mr. Pinchfip, ’very; it is a legitimate play upon words.  But legally, I can not affirm that I am aware of any precedent for awarding Mr. Browne’s money to Monsieur Legume on this score.’