He had been so excited by its discovery that the question of ownership had never hitherto crossed his mind.

The unwelcome suggestion that it was not his after all, that the College might rightfully prefer a claim to it, presented itself to him for a moment; but he set it instantly aside, quieting his conscience with the reflection that this at least was not the moment to make such a disclosure.
He fenced with Mr.Smart's inquiry as best he could, saying that he was ignorant of the history of the instrument, but not contradicting the assumption that it had been a long time in his family's possession.
"It is indeed singular," Mr.Smart continued, "that so magnificent an instrument should have lain buried so long; that even those best acquainted with such matters should be in perfect ignorance of its existence.

I shall have to revise the list of famous instruments in the next edition of my 'History of the Violin,' and to write," he added smiling, "a special paragraph on the 'Worth Maltravers Stradivarius.'" After much more, which I need not narrate, Mr.Smart suggested that the violin should be left with him that he might examine it more at leisure, and that my brother should return in a week's time, when he would have the instrument opened, an operation which would be in any case advisable.

"The interior," he added, "appears to be in a strictly original state, and this I shall be able to ascertain when opened.

The label is perfect, but if I am not mistaken I can see something higher up on the back which appears like a second label.