"And might have proved a grievous one."
"Certainly. I am satisfied that it is no worse."
"And you can forgive me?"
"Certainly."
The two men clasped hands in apparent friendship.
Nevertheless the detective had a lingering suspicion that he was making more of a fool of himself than ever. He tried to smother this, and to appear frank and genial before Bordine. If the man before him was not Barkswell, then he resembled him so closely as to defy detecting the difference.
"I will watch and wait," thought Keene, "and not make another move until
I am certain of the facts."
"Now that we understand each other," proceeded Bordine, "I wish to make a bargain with you."
"Proceed."
"I promised to meet this tramp, whose real name is Perry Jounce, I believe, at Billy Bowleg's saloon to-morrow evening, for the purpose of rewarding him for his villainy."