"August Bordine, I arrest you for the murder of Victoria Vane."
[Illustration: "I ARREST YOU FOR THE MURDER OF VICTORIA VANE.">[
A hand fell on the impostor's shoulder and a bearded face looked into his.
There came a wild gleam to the eyes of Barkswell as he realized his situation.
He seemed equal to the occasion, however.
"A mistake, officer. Yonder stands August Bordine," and the criminal pointed toward the widow's son.
And then, with a wailing cry, poor Rose reeled and sank fainting to the arms of Mrs. Bordine.
At this moment the officer snapped a pair of handcuffs over the wrists of Barkswell, thus securing him. However, the officers seemed puzzled, and stared at August as if undecided what course to pursue.
At this moment two others appeared on the ground—Hiram Shanks, the queer peddler, and Ransom Vane.
"You have the right man, gentlemen," said Shanks. "These two resemble each other strangely, and it is this resemblance that has baffled detectives, and made trouble for an honest man."