The Bardés mansion was, by far, living up to what I had imagined. Young Clara came out to open the door that gave access to the property.
-You come in, commander. Kindly follow me.
Clara led him to a vast glass gallery located at the opposite end of the building, where Bardés and Alba Longa were waiting for him, sitting in comfortable armchairs. There were two more around a table, on which a silver tray presented several bottles of different liquors. Schluter wondered what role Mr. Longa played in the family when he was home at such an early hour. Despite his undeniable good looks, he ruled out, due to age, that he was Clara's partner. There was no evidence that she had associated with anyone. Why would he do it, having the formidable financial support of his grandfather? Furthermore, yesterday he seemed to enter Villefranche's gallery for the first time. Perhaps he is an expert whom the family trusts, despite the fact that Bardés is not exactly new to the trade and the granddaughter has demonstrated remarkable competence, a quality that is all the more meritorious when her youth is taken into account.
"If you wish, you can give me your raincoat," Clara suggested.
The painter and his companion got up to complement Schluter. Clara made the presentations:
-My grandfather, Jacobo Bardés, and Professor Alba Longa, who you already know.
-Delighted.
-But take a seat, commander. Do you want something to drink?
-No, thanks.
-Perhaps a coffee?
-If it's not a bother…
-Of course not.
Jacobo Bardés himself began to pour the contents of a previously prepared coffee pot into some Sèvres porcelain cups.
"I presume," Jacobo Bardés broke the first spear, "that the renewed interest of the police in Brik's sketches stems from the sad events that occurred in the person of the gardener Vergari.
-The O.C.B.C. For many years it has been dealing with a vast operation of forgery of works of art that has its epicenter in France and that puts into circulation apocryphal works of extraordinary perfection. So much so that the most prestigious experts do not hesitate to validate them. Evidently the Vergari case drew our attention to these sketches that emerged, you will agree with me, in curious circumstances, to say the least. It's about having a calm spirit when it comes to your authenticity. Since, after the sale of the lot, yours is the closest, we have considered it convenient, if you allow us, to begin by analyzing it.
-Of course. Although, as you understand, we did not make a purchase of that magnitude lightly. As for me, I have made my mark in painting and, modesty aside, I consider that I understand something about the subject. Even so, we requested confirmation from several of the best international specialists. With which I just want to tell you that I approach this expert opinion with serenity.
Schluter adopted a serious attitude and concentrated on finishing the coffee in a couple of sips. Having done this, he stood up from his seat.
-Allow me to show you something.
The commander busily placed the suitcase flat on the floor, unzipped it, and selected something inside. Finally he took out a curious black cylinder, from which he removed the lid and, with great care, brought a piece of cloth to light.
-I suppose you recognize her, Mr. Bardés.
-Of course, it is “Chiron's Bath”. I painted it about five years ago.
-Would you be so kind as to study it carefully and tell us if you accept it as yours?
Bardés turned to his granddaughter.
-Clara, could you bring me an easel and the magnifying glass, please?
When he had the canvas well mounted on the wooden hulk, magnifying glass at the ready, the painter began to carry out the task that had been requested of him. First paying attention to every detail, in all areas of the painting. Then, lowering the optical instrument, he took the field, judging the luminosity, the effect of the colors, the impact of the piece. The exam had taken a long time, but at the end Bardés seemed satisfied.
-There is no doubt, it is the “Chiron Bath”.
Schluter smiled.
-Now do me the favor of examining this other one.
The commander took out another black tube and from it a painting exactly like the first. A new “Chiron Bath”.
Bardés contemplated it intensely, before asking Clara for a new easel, which he placed in front of the first. The painter first carried out an inspection similar to the previous one. Then, armed with his high-power magnifying glass, he moved from one painting to the next like a weather vane on a stormy day. Finally, visibly disconcerted, he exclaimed:
-I would say that both are the “Chiron Bath”.
-But you only painted one.
-Naturally.
-Difficult to determine which is true and which is false, even for you, who are the author.
Bardés looked like his future wax statue. But he still didn't give up. He launched into verifying a detail, which he was immediately going to check in the front panel and thus went from one to the other like a bee goes from flower to flower. In the end he had to give up.
-Both are the same. I couldn't say which of the two is mine.
"We are facing a brilliant forger," Schluter concluded.
Then he added:
-And prolific. Unfortunately.
Shortly afterwards, in a special compartment of the bank, both specialists devoted themselves to a particularly rigorous examination of the “Night-time” sketch that lasted about an hour. After which they reached the shared conclusion that there was nothing in it that would allow for a serious objection to its attribution to Brik. But who knows?
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