(Tim Peckham, Sun Photo Illustration)

The town is still buzzing about that piece of stolen art that surfaced late last week in Steven Spielberg's personal collection.

That painting in question -- Russian Schoolroom by Norman Rockwell -- was snatched more than 30 years ago from a suburban St. Louis, Mo., gallery, and was purchased by Spielberg in 1989 from a legit dealer.

It was only when his staff apparently spotted its image along with other stolen works of art on an FBI website, that the famous director realized he had a hot property on his hands.

While the Bureau's recently-formed Art Crime Team continues to investigate, the question that nobody seems to be asking is, just exactly why was Spielberg's staff researching stolen works of art?

It wouldn't have anything to do with the shrouded-in-secrecy plot line for a little picture he's going to be shooting this summer that will see Harrison Ford donning the Indiana Jones garb for the first time since 1989's purported Last Crusade, by any chance?

Can anyone say, Raiders of the Lost Art?

The incident brings to mind a long-whispered rumour about a Hollywood power player (not Spielberg) who was said to have had an underground secret room at his home stashed with stolen art.

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