The back of the frame bore the tiger seal of its owner. Dudley turned it over and instantly his face became livid with anger. It was a snapshot of Carmelita and Rao-Singh standing upon Lucy Hodge's raft together in bathing suits. The pose was innocent enough. The picture had probably been taken by Lucy and either she had given it to the Hindu or he had stolen it.
But the seal on the back! Whether or not there was any symbolism intended, whether Rao-Singh was thus indicating to his own mind at least that Carmelita was his, Dudley saw instantly an insulting significance in the presence of the burnt-in seal on the picture. He seized the frame and ripped out the film and thrust it into his pocket. He sprang from his chair and walked up and down the room for a few minutes trying to pull himself together. The talk in the smoking car, this picture—damn him!
