"It has occurred to me, madame, that you may have seen him—that he may even be known to you."
"What was his name?"
"The card he sent in to Mr. Vantine bore the name of Théophile d'Aurelle."
She shook her head.
"I have never before heard that name, Mr. Lester."
"We believe it to have been an assumed name," I said; "but perhaps you will recognise this photograph," and I drew it from my pocket and handed it to her.
She took it, looked at it, and again shook her head. Then she looked at it again, turning aside and raising her veil in order to see it better.
"There seems to be something familiar about the face," she said, at last, "as though I might have seen the man somewhere."
"On the boat, perhaps," I suggested, but I knew very well it was not on the boat, since the man had crossed in the steerage.
"No; it was not on the boat. I did not leave my stateroom on the boat. But I am quite sure that I have seen him—and yet I can't say where."