"Yes, but I can't remember where. I'll ask her."
Mrs. Watts was then coming into the room with some water, which Mr. Brightman had rung for. She looked about forty-five years old; a thin, bony woman of middle height, with a pale, gray, wrinkled face, and gray hairs banded under a huge cap, tied under her chin.
"There's something about your face that seems familiar to me, Mrs. Watts," I said, as she put down the glass and the bottle of water. "Have I ever seen you before?"
She was pouring out the water, and did not look at me. "I can't say, sir," she answered in a low tone.
"Do you remember me? That's the better question."
She shook her head. "Watts and I lived in Ely Place for some years before we came here, sir," she then said. "It's not impossible you may have seen me in the street when I was doing the steps; but I never saw you pass by that I know of."
"And before that, where did you live?"
"Before that, sir? At Dover."
"Ah! well," I said, for this did not help me out with my puzzle; "I suppose it is fancy."
Mr. Brightman caught up the last word as Mrs. Watts withdrew. "Fancy, Charles; that's what it must be. And fancy sometimes plays wonderful tricks with us."