He went on with his story without wanting questions to help him.

"Miss Cristel looked like a person surprised at seeing a stranger--what _I_ should call a free and easy stranger.

She walked in, sir, as if the place belonged to her." I am not suspicious by nature, as I hope and believe.

But I began to be reminded of Lady Rachel already.
"Did you notice the lady's dress ?" I asked.
A woman who had seen her would have been able to describe every morsel of her dress from head to foot.

The man had only observed her hat; and all he could say was that he thought it "a smartish one." "Any particular color ?" I went on.
"Not that I know of.