The man greatfully accepts your assistance, but cuts through all your attempts at apology in his desperation to be heard. "I'll - I'll hold them off", he spits through the pain, "just - just take it, before they get here".
No sooner is he back on his feet than he staggers off into the gloom, rejecting all further offers of help.
You can:
Chase
after him. He has a bad leg, he can't have got far.
Try to
find some light
so you can take a look at the painting.
Leave
the painting where it is and continue your journey back to your hotel.
Pick up the painting and
run like hell
in the opposite direction.