"Do you know a family by the name of Barkswell?"
"Never heard of 'em."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, I'm not given to telling wrong stories, Mr. Keene. Why should I?
Our family was never ashamed of its name—"
"No, certainly not; but I knew the Barkswells, and I thought you might have forgotten. I am from York State myself."
"Glad to hear it. I think I heard August speak of you. He met you down to
Ridgewood?"
"Yes. I am quite anxious to see your son on important business."
"Come in to-morrow, then. I expect he'll be to home."
The detective rose to go.
It did not seem possible to him then that the villain Barkswell and Bordine could be one and the same, yet it was nevertheless certain that there was a strong resemblance between the two men, and Keene was determined to watch Bordine closely.