It was evident that a grave mistake had been made, and Bordine resolved to carry on the deception with a view to learning something of the intentions of the villain or villains who had plotted the destruction of Keene.
"Let's see, how much was I to give you for this?"
"Durn it, that was fur you to say, Andy. I want you to be liberal now."
"Yes, you've done me a good turn to-night and I'm not unmindful of it, but I don't happen to have any money on my person just at present. Suppose you call 'round to-morrow evening about this time."
"When you'll be out of the kentry mebbe," retorted the other with a growl of dissatisfaction.
"You ought to know me better than that," rebuked the engineer.
"I know ye fur jest that caper, Andy Barkswell."
So that was the man he was supposed to represent. There was something familiar in the ring of the man's voice, too. Where had he heard it before?
"Well, sir, I can't pay you anything to-night. You appoint a place of meeting and I will be there, don't you fear," returned the young engineer, after a moment given to reflection.
"Wal, ef that's yer game, I'll meet ye at Billy Bowleg's saloon, to-morrer at this time. Is't a bargain?"