"That is not why I sent for you; that has nothing to do with last night."
"No?"
"I want you to tell me where I have seen you before—and where you have met me before," she said swiftly, and with a sudden and dangerous narrowing of her eyes.
If Nick had not had himself perfectly in hand he must have given a start then that would have betrayed him; as it was, he answered instantly, and as if the subject had also occurred to him:
"For the life of me, madam, I cannot remember. I have tried to recall the time and place ever since I saw you last night; but it eludes me. I cannot tell."
"It is well that you have answered as you have," she said, with a threatening cadence in her voice.
"Why so, madam?"
"Because I saw plainly in your eyes last night that you remembered to have seen me somewhere before that time. Had you denied it, you would have lied to me; and it is not healthy for people to tell me lies."
"I can imagine that, madam. But since I have no reason to do so——"
"Tell me what there is about me that is familiar to you, Dago."