d a library, a
rather rare possession in those days, and a librarian called
Bernard. Now many persons think that it was this Bernard who was the
maker of the now famous Henri Deux ware, or Faience d'Orion."

"Why should they think that?" questioned Theo.

"Well, there are several excellent reasons," Mr. Croyden
replied. "One is that the ware shows traces of a book-binding
tool. Book-binders, you know, use many small instruments to decorate
or tool their leather. This faience was a ware of natural
cream-colored clay, and upon it was tooled a flat design the hollows
of which were filled in with darker clays that were afterward covered
with a lead glaze. Infinite care and pains had evidently been expended
upon each piece of the ware, such pains that it must have taken much
time to complete even a single article. No manufacturer could have
afforded to do this, and therefore the inference had been drawn that
the pottery was made purely for pleasure by some one who had an
abundance of leisure. Perhaps this very Bernard, the librarian, who
may have become interested in the art as a recreation, and done the
work in his idle hours."

"What a funny thing to do as a pastime!" exclaimed Theo.

"No stranger than that now many persons take up metal work,
wood-carving, or other of the so-called arts and crafts for
diversion."

"I suppose not," admitted Theo thoughtfully.

"It certainly is possible such a thing might have happened even so
long ago as the time when the Henri Deux ware was made. History offers
us no aid in solving the puzzle, so we can only find an answer as best
we may. The ware, however, is unique, and there is no mistaking it.
Some of it bears the monogram of King Henry II, and that accounts for
the name by which the product passes. There are authorities that
assert the H does not stand for the king's name, but for Helene,
mistress of the Chateau d'Orion; others declare the king's monogram
was used merely to fix the date when the pottery was made. Hence you
will find some china collectors calling it Henri Deux ware, and others
speaking of it as Faience d'Orion; while still others refer to it as
Saint Porchaire. When examining it it is interesting to notice how
much finer the later pieces are than the earlier ones. Evidently
Bernard, if Bernard it was, improved a great deal with practice."

It was obvious that Mr. Croyden had no more to say about the elusive
Bernard, for he came to an abrupt stop.

Theo wait