How had they come here? Their terms in prison, he knew, would not end for many years; buried as he was in this hole among the hills, associating only with the dullest and most depraved of human beings, he had heard nothing of their escape. How had they found him? Above all, what did they intend to do with him? He shuddered as he asked himself that last question. His captors were talking earnestly among themselves, paying no heed to him, but at the end of a moment, one of them arose to examine the contents of the pot, and glancing at Nolan, perceived that his eyes were open. "Why, hello, Dannie," he cried, with a sort of unholy glee which frightened Dan more than any threats could have done, "how are ye?" Dan could find no voice to answer, but the others got up and, moving nearer, sat down before him. Their eyes were shining as a cat's do when it sees the mouse under its paw. And like the cat, they prepared to put their prey to the torture. "Well, this _is_ an unexpected pleasure," said one. "So glad to have you as our guest," said another. "Yes; we've got the spare room ready," said a third, whereat they all laughed uproariously. "The spare room--good!" "A lofty chamber, Dannie; you'll feel like a king." "And sleep like a top!" "Even if the bed is rather hard." And then they all laughed again. "Yes--and as long as you like! You're our guest, Dannie. And we're going to keep you awhile!" Dan was bathed from head to foot in a cold sweat. He could not guess their meaning, but he knew it boded no good for him. "We've been wanting to see you so bad," one of the men went on, "ever since you treated us so well at the trial. Pity you couldn't have held your tongue then, Dannie; you'd have had to stay in jail a little longer, but at least you'd have been alive." At last Dan found his tongue. "You ain't a-goin' t' kill me!" he cried. "You wouldn't treat an old pal like that!" "No, no, Dannie!" came the answer, soothingly, "we're just going to put you in our spare room. Then I'm afraid we'll have to bid you adieu. You see this State don't agree with our health very well. We wouldn't have stayed this long except for the pleasure of seeing you. Ain't you glad?" "How'd you know where I was?" Nolan asked. The man laughed.