I gave him a list from that
catalogue of Dr. Lith's and I think that if any of the emeralds,
for instance, have been pawned his men will be on the alert and
will find it out."
We had a leisurely dinner at a near-by hotel, during most of which
time Kennedy gazed vacantly at his food. Only once did he mention
the case, and that was almost as if he were thinking aloud.
"Nowadays," he remarked, "criminals are exceptionally well
informed. They used to steal only money and jewels; to-day it is
famous pictures and antiques also. They know something about the
value of antique bronze and marble. In fact, the spread of a taste
for art has taught the enterprising burglar that such things are
worth money, and he, in turn, has educated up the receivers of
stolen goods to pay a reasonable percentage of the value of his
artistic plunder. The success of the European art thief is
enlightening the American thief. That's why I think we'll find
some of this stuff in the hands of the professional fences."
It was still early in the evening when we returned to the museum
and let ourselves in with the key that Dr.
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