The strident note had gone from his voice.

He spoke clearly enough, but more softly, and without the familiar roll.
"Gentlemen--ladies and gentlemen," he was saying as Burton entered, "the next item on the catalogue is number 17, described as an oak chest, said to have come from Winchester Cathedral and to be a genuine antique." Mr.Waddington leaned forward from his rostrum.

His tone became more earnest.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he continued, "I am bound to sell as per catalogue, and the chest in question is described exactly as it was sent in to us, but I do not myself for a moment believe either that it came from Winchester or that it is in any way antique.

Examine it for yourselves--pray examine it thoroughly before you bid.

My impression is that it is a common oak chest, treated by the modern huckster whose business it is to make new things look like old.