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Faulkner didn’t flinch, desperately hoping to hear one word, and it wasn’t ‘fine’

‘Therefore, I have decided,’ continued the judge, ‘perhaps against nanimity, and to suspend your sentence, with the clear direction that should you co the next four years, the full term of your prison sentence will automatically be reinstated’

Faulkner considered his generous gesture, as the judge had so kindly described it, to have been hile

‘You are therefore free to leave the court, Mr Faulkner,’ said the judge, in a tone that suggested he was already regretting his decision

William was livid, and didn’t leave anyone nearby in any doubt about how he felt Lamont was speechless, and Hawksby reflective After all, Mr Justice Nourse had said any other criminal offence, however minor

When Beth heard the news later that afternoon, she si to prison for four years or the Fitz up with a priceless treasure, I wouldn’t have to give it a second thought’

‘I was rather hoping for the best of both worlds,’ said Williaet the Rubens and Faulkner would spend the next four years languishing in Pentonville’

‘But which side would you have coiven the choice between Faulkner spending four years in jail, or the Fitz the Rubens for life?’

‘On the side of the Fitz to sound as if he meant it

34

‘YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, entlemen My name is Tim Knox, and as the director of the Fitzmolean Museu of Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Syndics of the Clothmakers’ Guild The Syndics, as you knoere taken froht they would never return However, such was our confidence that they would eventually co in its place’

A spontaneous round of applause followed The director waited for silence before he continued

‘I will now invite Her Royal Highness to unveil the lost masterpiece’

The Princess Royal stepped up to the microphone ‘Before I do, Tirandfather opened this o I trust that when I pull this cord, so, there will be a Rele where The Syndics once hung’ Everyone laughed Princess Anne pulled the cord, and the red curtain parted to allow the, solanced at its bottoht-hand corner to make sure the RvR was in place before he joined in the applause

‘Thank you,’ said Knox ‘But tonight, you are going to get two for the price of one, because you cannot have failed to notice that there is a second painting waiting to be unveiled But for now, enjoy a glass of chane and admire the Rembrandt, before we introduce you to our latest acquisition’