"This is the hardest part of the city," said Bordine. "It's seldom that I come this way."
"What called you here to-night?"
The detective was suspicious now of the man, and had his revolver convenient to his hand.
"Well, simply because I saw a fellow coming this way that I recognized. The man entered that saloon. You see I brood continually over the murder of poor Victoria Vane."
"Yes; that is natural enough."
"Is it? I suppose it's because I was connected with it in such a way."
"You connected with the murder?"
Sile Keene seemed to think his companion was about to make a full confession, for he almost stopped in his walk to stare at the face of Bordine.
"I was connected with it, as you will remember. Sometimes I blame myself for not remaining until her brother returned, and not giving that tramp the opportunity he desired," said Bordine, in a solemn voice.
"So you think it was the tramp that committed the murder?"