"I had the apparatus with me, and so it struck me that I would
photograph Miss Frick as she stood there, without her knowing it. I
went hurriedly and softly inside the door, took the photograph, and went
out again without her seeing me. She stood quite still, as if she was
wondering what she should do with what she had in her hand."
The Englishman paused, as if to give me an opportunity to speak. But as
I did not even look up, but went on drawing figures on the paper before
me, with as careless an expression as possible, he continued:--
"Later in the afternoon I took a carriage outside and drove to the
station. On the way I took some negatives to the photographer, amongst
them the picture of which I have just spoken, as there were some of them
that I wanted to get developed by the time I got back. On my return
from Osterdal I heard that the diamond had disappeared, and then I
remembered the photograph. I naturally said nothing about it to Mr.
Frick or his niece, but I called for the prints. Would you like to see
the one from the museum?"
This was the second time that Sigrid's name had been mentioned in
connection with the disappearance of the diamond. It awoke the most
unpleasant feelings in me; but as I felt Mr. Howell's searching look
resting upon me, I assumed perfect calmness, and took what he handed me.
It was quite a small photograph on thin prepared paper, and placed
between two glass plates held together by an india-rubber band.