midnight
In the mean time the commission sat with closed doors and deliberated . Last night they decided unanimously that the statue is a Venus , and the work of some unknown but sublimely gifted artist of the third century before Christ . They consider it the most faultless work of art the world has any knowledge of . At midnight they held a final conference and , decided that the Venus was worth the enormous sum of ten million francs ! In accordance with Roman law and Roman usage , the government being half-owner in all works of art found in the Campagna , the State has naught to do but pay five million francs to Mr. Arnold and take permanent possession of the beautiful statue . This morning the Venus will be removed to the Capitol , there to remain , and at noon the commission will wait upon Signor Arnold with His Holiness the Pope 's order upon the Treasury for the princely sum of five million francs is gold ! Chorus of Voices .