"
"My soul! This is too much!" gasped the quaking villain.
"Do you deny it?"
No answer from Barkswell, but his head was bowed upon his breast, and a
helpless look filled his eyes.
"It would do you no good to deny that you and Perry Jounce murdered
Detective Keene--"
"How did you learn so much?" cried out the doomed man.
"There were witnesses present--"
"Witnesses?"
"There was one."
"One?"
Barkswell raised his head and glared at the speaker in evident amazement.
"Yes, one--myself."
"I deny it."
"I think I can convince you."
With the words, the peddler's hand went to his head, a few passes were
made, and the man stood transformed. It was a complete metamorphosis.
On the ground lay red wig and black patch.
An exclamation fell from many lips. Andrew Barkswell uttered a great cry.
"Great heavens! _it is Silas Keene, the detective!_"
It was true.
August Bordine had suspected this for some time, and was consequently the
least astonished of any present.
"Although you cast me into that well, I did not perish," proceeded the
detective, after a moment.
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