"
"But," gasped the detective, "how does it come that I am here?"
"I had you brought here in a hack."
"Was it you that knocked me over?"
"No, indeed," smiled Bordine. "I was never known to assault an officer."
"Then how--"
"I will explain."
The young engineer did so, telling all the circumstances and concluding
with:
"I am as deeply puzzled as you can be, at the man's motive in rescuing me
from your hands. Evidently he mistook me for another person, since he
addressed me as Andrew Barkswell."
"And is not that your name?"
"Certainly not. I hope you did not make the same mistake. Evidently you
did, for, if my memory serves me, you addressed me by that name as well
as my own when you arrested me last night."
"Last night?"
"Yes. It is quite morning now."
"And you have been with me all night?"
"Yes, and summoned a physician. You see I was afraid you had been
seriously injured."
Silas Keene bowed his head in thought for some moments. At length he
looked up and held out his hand.
"Mr. Bordine, I have been a confounded fool."
"I hope not.
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