If you like, I'll ask your question at the same time with pleasure.' Thereupon Somerset gave Captain De Stancy an unfastened envelope containing the portrait, asking him to destroy it if the constable should declare it not to correspond with the face that met his eye at the window.

Soon after, Somerset took his leave of the household.
He had not been absent ten minutes when other wheels were heard on the gravel without, and the servant announced Mr.Cunningham Haze, who had returned earlier than he had expected, and had called as requested.
They went into the dining-room to discuss their business.

When the barrack matter had been arranged De Stancy said, 'I have a little commission to execute for my friend Mr.Somerset.I am to ask you if this portrait of the person he suspects of unlawfully entering his room is like the man you saw there ?' The speaker was seated on one side of the dining-table and Mr.Haze on the other.

As he spoke De Stancy pulled the envelope from his pocket, and half drew out the photograph, which he had not as yet looked at, to hand it over to the constable.

In the act his eye fell upon the portrait, with its uncertain expression of age, assured look, and hair worn in a fringe like a girl's.
Captain De Stancy's face became strained, and he leant back in his chair, having previously had sufficient power over himself to close the envelope and return it to his pocket.
'Good heavens, you are ill, Captain De Stancy ?' said the chief constable.
'It was only momentary,' said De Stancy; 'better in a minute--a glass of water will put me right.' Mr.Haze got him a glass of water from the sideboard.
'These spasms occasionally overtake me,' said De Stancy when he had drunk.