"And it wasn't you, after all?"
"Certainly not."
Then August explained the situation in a few words. When he had finished the peddler tapped him gently on the shoulder and said:
"I am greatly relieved. I know that man now. He has caused all the mischief. You and he look as near alike as two peas. The clouds are rolling by and I see my way clear. It won't be long before the authorities as well as the people will be astounded with the arrest of Victoria Vane's murderer. It will astound them because they will find in the real murderer not the man they expect."
The peddler spoke so enthusiastically as to attract the notice of his listener.
"Are you on the track of the assassin?" questioned Bordine.
"I am."
"Then you are a detective?"
"If I succeed, yes. You see, I am but an amateur now. Whisky and an unfaithful woman poisoned me almost to the death. I saw that offer of five thousand dollars reward, and it stimulated me to new life. That is a good deal of money, my boy, especially to one in my circumstances; and so I thought to myself, if I could only win that reward, I could tog up in good shape and enter the business world once more. I've been aiming for that, and I mean to gather it in."
"I sincerely hope you may Mr. Shanks."