101 Conversations in Intermediate English

12. The frame

Natalie notices that Detective Smith is getting inpatient and, therefore, interrupts the two boys, who are chatting about their families, so that they can go back to concentrating on the task in front of them.

Natalie: James, could you help me lower this painting and turn it around so that the detectives can study it closer?

James: Of course, sorry.

Laura: Let’s see. It looks like there isn’t anything behind the canvas.

Peter: The back of the frame is hollow. We can do tests, but I don’t see any suspicious object or substance.

Laura: I’m starting to think that this picture is here by mistake…

Natalie: This picture is not here by mistake.

Laura: What do you mean? How do you know?

Natalie: It says there. Look, in this corner… Something is written: “This picture is not here by mistake”.